- Lead the national voice for financial counselling
- Unite a sector behind shared priorities
- Melbourne-based, hybrid, with national impact

The organisation FCA is the national voice for the financial counselling profession in Australia. Financial counsellors provide free, independent and confidential help for those in need. Its vision is simple: an Australia free from financial hardship. It is a not-for-profit organisation that:

- Provides resources and support for financial counsellors;
- Advocates for a fairer marketplace;
- Works to raise the profile of financial counsellors;
- Advocates to increase access to financial counselling; and
- Works to improve hardship processes for people in financial difficulty.

FCA supports a profession of around 1,300 financial counsellors and capability workers. FCA leads the federated model and supports the shared strategy for a fairer and just experience for every consumer in Australia.

The opportunity

FCA's Board is appointing a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next chapter. We are looking for the next leader to continue to drive our strategic agenda between government, corporate and community organisations, to benefit people in financial difficulty across Australia. Underpinning this work is a strong sense of social justice and seeing a fairer marketplace.

The work includes building and strengthening relationships with regulators and law makers and addressing systemic inequities.

The task now is to strengthen relationships across a federated sector and focus the national agenda on the issues everyone can stand behind. You will lead a skilled, values-driven team and work closely with a committed Board. A market-competitive salary is offered, with not-for-profit salary packaging and hybrid working.

About you

- A collaborator first. You build trust and alignment in systems where authority is shared,



and you know relationships are built through presence and patience.
- Able to lead up, down and across. You bring a board, a team, peer organisations and funders with you, including through change.
- Credible and resilient. You can hold a room and hold a line under pressure.
- Strategic and focused. Ability to operate at a strategic level while managing competing priorities.
- Values-led. You are deeply committed to equity, fairness, social justice and reconciliation. A financial counselling background is not required, and first-time chief executives are welcome.

We are looking for a Chief Executive who can rise to the moment: someone who brings people together, holds steady when the stakes are high, and leads with the confidence to make bold decisions and the humility to listen, learn and bring others along.

In return, this is a rare national platform. You will have a committed Board, a skilled and values-driven team, and the standing to shape both a profession and the systems that leave people in financial hardship.

More information A full candidate briefing pack, including the position description, is available to be downloaded from:

https://searchlightgroup.com.au/jobs/chief-executive-officer-7/

How to apply

Please upload a CV and a short cover letter on what you would bring to FCA via:

https://searchlightgroup.com.au/jobs/chief-executive-officer-7/

If you have any questions before applying, contact Michael Holdway on 0400 006 513.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of diverse backgrounds and abilities, and people with lived experience of financial hardship are warmly encouraged to apply.

Applications close

Midnight on October 18th 2026. Applications are reviewed as they are received, so early contact is encouraged.

Contact

Michael Holdway · Managing Director, Searchlight Group · Mobile 0400 006 513 · Direct (03) 9600 1137 · [email protected]

📌 Chief Executive Officer (Melbourne)
🏢 Financial Counselling Australia (FCA)
📍 Melbourne