Chief Executive Officer

A highly respected Australian real estate investment and development group with significant assets is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next era of strategic growth and value creation.

About the Organisation
With a diversified portfolio spanning property development, real estate capital, hotels and hospitality, and strategic investments across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, this organisation combines deep real estate expertise with sophisticated investment management and operational excellence. The group maintains strategic partnerships with leading institutional investors and holds significant investments in ASX-listed entities.

The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to leverage your property and operational expertise across a broader, high-quality asset base. You will lead a team of over 120 professionals across multiple locations, driving performance across multiple business verticals while maintaining the financial discipline and stakeholder engagement excellence expected of a listed-company CEO.
The role offers genuine strategic latitude to identify new investment opportunities, forge partnerships, and shape the future direction of a well-capitalised platform with patient, long-term ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Board-approved strategic plans across four key portfolios: Development, Real Estate Capital, Hotels & Hospitality, and Principal Investments
• Drive revenue growth and profitability across the portfolio, maintaining strong cost discipline and capital allocation rigour
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing executive team across finance, operations, investment, development and corporate functions
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with institutional partners, banks, hotel operators, government, and other key stakeholders
• Present investment opportunities and detailed business cases to the Board, balancing earnings and capital growth objectives
• Ensure exemplary corporate governance, compliance and risk management frameworks

About You
You are an experienced CEO or senior executive from the property, development or investment sectors with:

• Proven leadership capability - at least 10 years at senior executive level, ideally including CEO or MD experience in property, development, funds management or related sectors
• ASX-listed or institutional experience - demonstrated ability to manage board relationships, investor expectations and governance requirements
• Strong commercial and financial acumen - relevant tertiary qualifications and expertise in valuations, capital management, M&A, and delivering risk-adjusted returns
• Strategic vision - identify market opportunities, evaluate trends and make decisive investment decisions across different asset classes
• M&A and deal experience - comfortable evaluating acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and partnership structures
• Operational excellence - track record in driving performance improvements and building high-performing teams
• Exceptional stakeholder management - skills across boards, investors, partners, regulators and communities

What Makes This Role Different

• Portfolio diversity - move beyond a single asset class to lead across development, investment, hospitality and leisure
• Established platform - strong balance sheet, quality assets, and respected market position provide foundation for growth
• Strategic partnerships - work alongside sophisticated institutional partners
• Long-term orientation - patient capital allows focus on sustainable value creation rather than short-term pressures
• Quality assets - iconic properties and premium development sites across key Australian markets

Position Details
Reporting to the Executive Chairman and Board, you will have 8-10 direct reports overseeing approximately 1,600 total group employees. The role requires regular national travel to maintain key relationships and oversee operations across multiple locations.

How to Apply:
For a strictly confidential discussion about this exceptional opportunity, please contact Suzanne Panagiotopoulos, Consultant on 0400 414 514 or email spanagiotopoulos@derwentsearch.com.au quoting reference 33591.
All enquiries will be handled with absolute discretion.