As a member of Djirra’s Senior Executive Team, the Director, Office of the CEO (OCEO), provides executive leadership of the OCEO and supports the CEO and Executive Director by overseeing the development and implementation of advocacy advice and support.

ABOUT DJIRRA

Djirra is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation with over 20 years’ experience accompanying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and their children, on their individual journeys. Djirra celebrates women’s strength and resilience and is committed to a future without family violence.

Djirra delivers holistic, culturally safe, specialist family violence support, legal services and case management, alongside cultural and wellbeing workshops and programs across Victoria. Djirra amplifies the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and advocates for system-wide change to improve access to justice, eliminate systemic violence and strengthen women’s resilience.

THE ROLE The Director will lead an OCEO team and ensure all elements of the function—including policy development and coordination, strategic communications, strategic advice, stakeholder engagement, calendar management and strategic project advocacy—are aligned in delivering advocacy support for the CEO and Djirra’s strategic goals.

Your responsibilities will include

- Leading the OCEO as a trusted enabling function that effectively supports the CEO and her delegates
- Translating the CEO’s advocacy decisions into coordinated action, with clear priorities, responsibilities and timelines
- Providing high-level advice to the CEO and Executive Director and overseeing policy advice, government submissions,



briefing papers and organisational responses
- Overseeing the delivery of timely, coordinated and culturally appropriate strategic communications consistent with Djirra’s values
- Providing executive oversight of key projects, including progress, risks, dependencies and outcomes
- Establishing and maintaining systems, processes and coordination mechanisms that enable informed decision-making
- Supporting and facilitating stakeholder engagement with government, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, funding partners and sector stakeholders to advance Djirra’s organisational priorities
- Leading, coaching, mentoring and developing the OCEO team, creating a collaborative, culturally safe and supportive working environment

ABOUT YOU You will be a senior leader who has worked closely with a CEO, Executive Director or equivalent within a complex organisation and supported sophisticated advocacy and lobbying campaigns. This experience may have been gained within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, not-for-profit, government department, ministerial office or peak body, or through political campaigning.

You will bring

- Experience leading an OCEO or performing a Chief of Staff or leading an equivalent executive function




- Demonstrated ability to translate Executive priorities into coordinated organisational action through effective governance, planning, communication and follow-through
- Experience leading, coaching and developing a team working across multiple functions
- Demonstrated understanding of creating change through advocacy and campaigning
- Exceptional organisational, written and verbal communication skills, including preparing briefs, Board papers, reports and correspondence
- Experience improving organisational processes and building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Sound judgement, discretion and experience managing sensitive and confidential information
- Demonstrated understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community, particularly the impacts of family violence on Aboriginal women and the importance of culturally safe services, practices and environments
- Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal communities and stakeholders
- A tertiary qualification in public policy, law, business, communications, Aboriginal affairs, public administration or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience

You will be a collaborative and respectful leader who brings humility, adaptability and a solid commitment to Djirra’s values, purpose and ways of working. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLY To apply, please click the ‘Apply’ button and submit your resume and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Jamie Wood on [0499 440 202](tel:0499 440 202) or [email protected].

📌 Director, Office of the CEO (Abbotsford)
🏢 JW Recruitment LTD PTY
📍 Abbotsford