Executive Director Lived Experience Services

Permanent Full-time

Queensland - Brisbane

At RFQ, we believe lived experience can change what’s possible.

It can challenge the way we think, deepen the way we listen and change the decisions we make. It can help create services that feel more human, communities that are more inclusive and better outcomes for people, families and communities.

This is an opportunity to bring that belief into one of the most influential leadership roles at RFQ.

We’re looking for an Executive Director, Lived Experience Services who can bring together lived expertise, executive leadership and a deeply human understanding of mental health and wellbeing to help shape what comes next for our organisation.

As a member of RFQ’s Executive Leadership Team, you’ll work alongside our CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board, bringing lived expertise into the conversations and decisions that shape our organisation. You’ll have genuine influence across strategy, governance, culture and service delivery — helping ensure lived experience is not simply represented, but shapes how RFQ thinks, leads, designs services and understands success.

Your leadership will span lived experience services, peer workforce development, co-production and participation, alongside executive responsibility for designated operational service portfolios. It’s a role that brings lived experience, evidence and organisational leadership together to strengthen our services, build capability and keep us connected to the people and communities at the heart of why we exist.

But perhaps the greatest prospect is what you’ll help create — an organisation where lived experience is recognised as expertise, participation is meaningful, and people have genuine opportunities to influence the services and systems that affect their lives.

Where Your Leadership Will Make a Difference:

Your leadership will reach across RFQ, from the conversations taking place at the Board and Executive table to the way our services are designed, delivered and experienced in communities.

You’ll:

- Position lived experience as a strategic capability that shapes leadership, governance, organisational culture, service design and continuous improvement.
- Create the conditions for genuine participation and co-production, ensuring lived expertise influences how decisions are made and how services evolve.
- Provide executive leadership across designated service portfolios, ensuring services are safe, effective, financially sustainable and responsive to the aspirations of the people and communities we support.
- Strengthen RFQ’s lived experience and peer workforce, creating opportunities for leadership, capability development and professional growth.
- Champion diversity,



equity and cultural inclusion, helping create workplaces and services where people experience belonging, respect and opportunity.
- Bring together lived experience, evidence, quality data and organisational learning to strengthen service delivery and continuous improvement.
- Build collaborative relationships across government, community, peak bodies, research and strategic partners.
- Represent RFQ as a leader in lived experience practice, influencing policy, strengthening sector capability and contributing to positive system change.

And as a member of our Executive Leadership Team, your contribution will extend beyond your own portfolio. You’ll share collective responsibility for RFQ’s strategy, culture, sustainability and the outcomes we create for people and communities.

The Experience Behind Your Leadership:

This is a designated lived experience leadership role.

You’ll bring your own lived experience, together with the demonstrated lived expertise, leadership capability and executive experience required to lead at this level.

We’re looking for someone who can move confidently between the deeply human and the highly strategic – someone who can listen, create space for different experiences and remain connected to people and communities, while navigating complexity, influencing significant decisions and taking accountability for organisational outcomes.You’ll bring:

- Significant executive or senior leadership experience within mental health, community services, health or human services.
- Demonstrated experience leading organisational strategy, transformation or system reform.
- Experience leading co-production, participation and lived experience initiatives.
- Experience overseeing operational service delivery and organisational performance.
- Experience leading diverse teams and navigating complex stakeholder relationships.
- Outstanding relationship-building, communication and influencing capability.
- A strong understanding of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and human rights-based practice.
- Demonstrated ability to influence executive, governance and sector-level decision-making.
- A leadership style grounded in curiosity, compassion, courage and accountability.

Relevant tertiary qualifications in mental health, social sciences, human services, community development, leadership or a related field are required.



Postgraduate qualifications in leadership, governance, public policy or a related discipline will be highly regarded. Why RFQ?

At RFQ, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life and feel connected to their community. For more than 50 years, we’ve worked alongside people experiencing mental health challenges and social disadvantage, supporting people to build hope, capability, connection and a sense of belonging.

When you join RFQ, you’re joining a purpose-driven organisation where people come first. Guided by Respect, Bravery, Compassion and Striving for Excellence, we value different perspectives, encourage curiosity and create opportunities for our people to contribute, grow and make a meaningful difference.

By joining us, you’ll have access to:

- An executive remuneration package reflective of the responsibilities and impact of the role.
- Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 for general living expenses and an additional $2,650 for entertainment expenses, including access to novated leasing
- Flexible ways of working that balance organisational needs with individual circumstances
- Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your immediate family

Every role at RFQ contributes to something bigger. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to bring lived expertise to the executive table and help shape our strategy, culture, services and future.

Your opportunity starts here!

If you believe lived experience is expertise, that participation should be meaningful, and that people should have genuine opportunities to influence the services and systems that affect their lives, we’d love to hear from you. Bring your lived expertise, your leadership and your ideas about what could be different and what could be better.

Help us shape an RFQ where lived experience influences not only what we do, but how we lead, learn and create better outcomes for the people and communities we walk alongside.

For more information about the role see or, please contact Chief Executive Officer, Kathi Boorman at or 0400 222 258.

The role is Queensland-based, with a preference for Brisbane. Regular travel across Queensland and occasional interstate travel will be required.

This is an Identified Lived Experience role under Section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), requiring applicants to have a personal lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery.

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and Working with Children Check.

Applications close 9 September 2026 11:59pm.

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📌 Executive Director Lived Experience Services (Annerley)
🏢 Richmond Fellowship Queensland
📍 Annerley