National Director

UnitingCare Australia is the national body for the Uniting Church's community services network—one of Australia's largest community service providers. Our network of 20 frontline organisations, supported by 85,000 dedicated staff and volunteers, facilitates 5.8 million interactions across Australia annually. For over a century, we have stood alongside all Australians, driven by our unwavering belief that everyone deserves to live life to its fullest with dignity, regardless of their circumstances. We are innovative, ambitious, and passionate about inspiring a better world.

As a leading national advocate for social justice, UnitingCare Australia works across party lines to amplify the voices of Australia's most vulnerable communities. Our advocacy is grounded in real-world insights from our extensive network of service providers and the lived experiences of those we serve. We maintain trusted, bipartisan relationships with politicians, public servants, and thought leaders at the highest levels of government, offering expertise built on credibility, independence, and integrity.

Following our current National Director's retirement, we are seeking an exceptional leader to drive our next phase of strategic development. With dual reporting to the UnitingCare Australia Board Chair and the General Secretary of the Uniting Church Assembly, you will:

• Lead our Canberra-based national office team, network, and wider church community to deliver strategic priorities aligned with Assembly values and vision;
• Champion advocacy on critical issues identified within our strategic framework;
• Cultivate strong, trusted relationships across all political parties, maintaining our reputation for independence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the Uniting Church's mission;
• Build and sustain influential partnerships with Federal Ministers, Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, and key departmental personnel;
• Work closely with colleagues across our national UnitingCare network, understanding their unique priorities and co-creating solutions to address complex challenges;
• Lead conversations on system reform and policy development across our network, the broader sector, and government;
• Maintain productive, collegiate relationships with Assembly colleagues and actively contribute to the Assembly Executive team.

We are seeking a contemporary executive leader with deep understanding of government processes, social justice principles, and the for-purpose community sector. You will bring proven executive leadership experience within a large, complex human services organisation with national reach. You will demonstrate exceptional public relations, presentation, and public speaking capabilities and impactful networking, advocacy, and lobbying skills. You will be fluent across diverse communication channels and possess the leadership and operational expertise to influence across a national organisation.

This represents an extraordinary opportunity for a values-driven executive leader to join UnitingCare Australia during a pivotal moment in our evolution. You will shape the future of our organisation, influence the broader ecosystem, and ultimately support the delivery of world-class services for individuals, families, and communities across Australia.

How to apply:
Candidate information: Please click on the "Additional Information" button to download a copy of the Candidate Information Pack. For more information, please contact Rob Macmillan at healthservices@derwentsearch.com.au or 0421 593 535 quoting reference number: 33358.

Applications close: Wednesday 8th October 2025.