Chief Executive Officer Paralympics Australia

Overview• Hallmark National Peak Sport Body

• Strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement focus

• Opportunity to build long term sustainability

About Paralympics AustraliaParalympics Australia (PA) help Australians with disabilities participate in sport and compete at the Paralympic Games through partnerships with governments, business, sporting bodies and the community. Participation in sport provides positive social and physical benefits to people with disabilities, and plays an important role in changing community perceptions of people with disabilities.

PA has been responsible for preparing the Australian Paralympic Summer and Winter Teams for the Paralympic Games since 1990. At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Australia placed fifth on the gold medal tally with 22 gold, 30 silver and 29 bronze medals out of 159 countries.

By working with National Federation partners, PA helps to identify potential Paralympians and assist athletes to prepare for competition by providing funding for coaching, equipment and travel in the lead up to the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.

Partnerships with governments, business, national sporting organisations and disability groups are critical to delivering a successful Paralympic Team to the Games.

Paralympics Australia Purpose: To advance the Paralympic movement and Para-sport in Australia and, in doing so, be a catalyst for a more inclusive society.

Paralympics Australia Values: Para-sports, Para-athletes and Paralympians are at the centre of everything we do. Together we are Tenacious, Proud & Limitless.

Chief Executive OfficerThe CEO is accountable to the Board of Directors and is responsible for directing and providing leadership of the whole-of-business operations of Paralympics Australia implementing its athlete-centric vision, mission and strategic priorities. The CEO is accountable for driving a high-performance culture as well as managing relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the organisation’s objectives are met.

We are searching for a courageous, values driven leader, able to inspire and develop the team, including a highly committed staff of subject matter experts, delivering on strategies to build long term sustainability and growth of Paralympics Australia.

Your energy and drive will be matched by your open and engaging communication style, building a workplace where creative and critical thinkers generate forward planning, fresh ideas, services and products.

You will have high emotional intelligence to equip you in managing dynamic, complex and challenging situations. Your networks in and out of sport will be extensive and easily activated when required. You will see diversity as opportunity, championing an environment where diverse people can thrive providing a platform for the important advocacy work of Paralympics Australia.

You will be experienced working with a Board of Directors and have the maturity, skills and political savvy to operate effectively within Paralympics Australia’s best practice governance framework. Your commercial acumen, including experience in generating Government funding, will be matched by your skill in identifying and capitalising on opportunities, finding innovative fundraising, philanthropic and commercialisation solutions across all areas of Paralympics Australia.

While candidates with prior experience in a comparable CEO role will be highly regarded, we are also open to considering those candidates ready to apply the experience gained from a similarly scaled C-suite role. Knowledge and experience of the Australian Sport system is considered a key to the success of the CEO.

Importantly your values must align with the Paralympics Australia mission and vision with a genuine respect for the opportunities and legacies created by Paralympics Australia.

Key responsibilitiesOperations

• Ensure the Board is provided with the information needed to formulate strategy

• Communicate clear purpose and objectives from the strategic plan to PA staff

• Lead the development and implementation of an annual operational plan which links to the strategic plan

• CEO to contribute to succession planning for the Board

• Ensure appropriate risks to PA are recorded on the risk register and escalate any breaches to this Register to the Board

• In conjunction with the Board of Directors, staff and membership devise and implement strategies to meet the corporate vision of PA

• Drive and manage the sport, commercial, communications and administrative operations

• Coordinate and manage the activities and services of PA to ensure professional, timely and efficient delivery to stakeholders

• Assume overall responsibility for the management of day to day operations

Strategic Thinking

• Lead the development of the 2024 Paris strategic plan and the future cycle to 2028 in line with the evolvement of 2032

• Oversee new strategies, sponsorships, content and programs to benefit to sustain PA’s future

• Provide high quality advice to the Board

• In conjunction with the CFO and SLT, effectively manage and monitor PA’s financial budgets

• Manage PA’s commercial operations efficiently and profitably

• Ensure revenue sources are diverse and stable

• Ensure the optimal development and promotion of all activities and services of PA

• Provides clear tactical execution of strategic and operational plans

Governance

• Demonstrate behaviours which exemplify PA’s values

• Provides the board with honest assessments of organisational culture from both internal and external stakeholders

• Works in line with the relevant Board documents including the Constitution and Delegations Matrix

• Provide effective and active representation of PA at all levels

• Develop and enhance PA’s relationships with all stakeholders

• Represent PA on nominated external bodies and organisations

• Provide appropriate and professional media representation as required

Key responsibilities continued

Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction for all staff to provide a nurturing and inclusive culture where staff feel valued and respected

• Provide leadership and direction to Member Organisations of PA

• Manage, develop and implement strategies and programs designed to encourage athletes and people with a disability to participate in sport

• Ensure strategies and practices are in place to provide the optimum performance of Australia’s Paralympians at international competition.

• Communicate PA’s purpose and vision ensuring continual development for all staff

• Facilitate the appropriate internal reporting processes for the Board on progress against the Strategic Plan and financial forecast and budgets

• Represent PA’s profile and people with a disability in sports through external stakeholders, partnerships and media

Financial

• Secure incremental revenue through commercial partnerships, government funding and grants, media and licensing arrangements, content and events and other sources of internally generated revenue for the longer sustainability of PA

• Scope, build and deliver alternative fundraising and philanthropy models to contribute to the long term sustainability of PA

Stakeholder Management

• Develop strong relationships with key strategic and funding partners to ensure PA is at the forefront of decision making

• Manage relationships with key partners including:

o Australian Institute of Sport

o Sport Australia

o International Paralympic Committee

o Governments Local, State and National

o National and International Federations

o National and International Disability Federations

o National Paralympic Committees

o Sponsors and Stakeholders

o Commonwealth Games Australia

o Australian Olympic Committee

o Organising Committees

• Builds networks across the sporting industry and where possible attends CEO sport forums to share successes and strategic challenges

Key relationshipsReports to: Paralympics Australia Board of Directors

Direct Reports (9):

• Manager, Human Resources

• Chief Financial Officer

• General Manager – Commercial & Marketing

• General Manager – Communications

• General Manager – Stakeholder Engagement

• General Manager – Sport

• General Manager – Performance

• General Manager – IT

• Executive Assistant

Indirect Reports: Oversight of an organisation of approx. 40

External Stakeholders:

• Australian Institute of Sport

• Sport Australia

• International Paralympic Committee

• Governments Local, State and National

• National and International Federations

• National and International Disability Federations

• National Paralympic Committees

• Sponsors and Stakeholders

• Commonwealth Games Australia

• Australian Olympic Committee

• Organising Committees

Selection criteriaIn addition to demonstrating relevant experiences across the core functional areas of responsibility identified in this Position Overview, candidates applying for this role will require a range of personal and professional skills, including:

Experience, Skills and Attributes

• Experience in a similarly scaled CEO or Senior Executive role with experiences working with a Board

• Knowledge and experience of the Australian Sporting System

• Strong leadership skills to lead and develop a highly skilled, focussed and engaged leadership team and workforce

• Experience working with a diverse and complex stakeholder base

• Successful track record in project / business / event / change and budget management

• Proven commercial capability, Government / political nous and the ability to secure, maintain and service commercial agreements such as sponsorships and broadcast rights

• Experience in developing and maintaining new revenue streams, particularly in areas such as fundraising, giving and philanthropy programs

• Experience managing budgets of >$15m

• Commitment to excellence and continual improvement

• Highly professional manager with vision, leadership and integrity

• Innovative, flexible and decisive work style

• Ability to manage sensitive relationships with competing needs

• Courageous, with the ability to lead change, be decisive and able to prioritise and make sound judgement calls

• Ability to prioritise workload, make decisions and resolve issues

• Proven record of thriving in a high pressure environment

• Strong communication skills and ability to work with internal and external agencies and stakeholders

• Computer literacy in the Microsoft Office suite of software programs

• Working knowledge or understanding of disability sport at the high-performance level

• Experience with major events and/or national sports team management

• Alignment with PA mission, vision and values

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Business or Sports Administration or equivalent

• Current Working with Children Check

Location and travelThe nature of the position will require regular domestic and some international travel to attend scheduled meetings and events.

The Paralympics Australia Head Office is located in Sydney and the Board expect the CEO to have a strong, regular on-ground presence over the next 18-24 months in particular to fulfil the responsibilities of the role, those immediate strategic priorities and overall leadership of the staff and stakeholder groups.

If you would like to discuss location prior to applying please call Sportspeople Recruitment (contact details below), noting it is not our intention to exclude merit candidates based on location alone.

Hours of workThis is a permanent full time position. Due to the nature of the role and the sport industry, some after-hours work including evenings and weekends will be required to attend meetings and events.

Remuneration guideAn attractive and competitive remuneration package will be available to the successful candidate, negotiable depending upon skill level and experiences. Depending on personal circumstances candidates may be able to take advantage of the salary packaging benefits available through the Not for Profit and Charity status of Paralympics Australia. At the time of applying, candidates are invited to indicate their current salary and salary expectations.

Candidates are invited to call Sportspeople Recruitment to discuss salary before applying if that will be helpful in your decision making.

Website and social mediaFor more information and news items on all facets of activities, services and programs visit:

Paralympics Australia website: paralympic.org.au

Facebook: facebook.com/AUSParalympics

Twitter: twitter.com/ausparalympics

Instagram: instagram.com/ausparalympics

YouTube: youtube.com/user/ausparateam

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ausparalympics

Residency and immigration Candidates must be an Australian Citizen / Permanent Resident or have unlimited working rights within Australia to be considered for this position.

TimelinesFinal interviews and the appointment of the CEO, Paralympics Australia are scheduled for October 2021. The successful candidate would be expected to commence duties as soon as possible by negotiation.

Tokyo Paralympics – EOIShould your attendance at the Paralympic Games impede your ability to prepare a comprehensive application for this position, you are welcome to submit a formal Expression of Interest before the advertised close date via email to jobs@peoplerecruitmentgroup.com in order to be considered for this role.

Please apply now to avoid missing out!Please note Sportspeople Recruitment will commence screening and interviewing for this role immediately. If you are intending to apply, please do so now.

Applications Close: 5pm Monday 13 September, 2021

Application Format: Candidates must complete and submit the COMPULSORY Sportspeople Recruitment Application Form at the time of applying. The form is available as a download at the Sportspeople Recruitment website listing for this role and contains questions against which we require your specific response prior to considering your application.

Sportspeople Recruitment prefers a 1-2 page cover letter and an accompanying CV of no more than 6 pages, merged into the Application Form as one MS Word file.

Apply to Your application should be sent electronically via the “apply now” link at the advertisement via sportspeoplerecruitment.com/jobs

EnquiriesIn the first instance general enquiries should be directed to:Robert McMurtrie 0413 838 464

FREECALL AUSTRALIA 1800 634 388

+61 2 9555 5000 or via jobs@peoplerecruitmentgroup.com.

About Sportspeople RecruitmentThe Chief Executive Officer, Paralympics Australia search and recruitment process is being managed exclusively by Sportspeople Recruitment – a specialist division of People Recruitment Group.

Sportspeople Recruitment is a leading executive search and recruitment firm servicing sport business. Celebrating 25 years in 2021 our curated Talent Network has been developed as a result of successfully filling thousands of roles across the A-Z of sport business employers. We offer the most experienced Consultant team in the market available to assist with executive search, general recruitment, hiring strategy, remuneration planning and executive/Board advice.

We are delighted to have been appointed by Paralympics Australia as the exclusive search partner for the Chief Executive Officer position.