Chief Executive Officer

Lead Australia's clean energy future. The Smart Energy Council (SEC) is Australia's peak body for the renewable and smart energy industry. We represent the businesses, innovators and investors driving one of the most significant economic and industrial transformations in the nation's history.

Following a period of strong policy influence and sector growth, the Council is entering its next chapter focused on scaling impact, strengthening institutional capability, expanding global engagement, and driving sustainable commercial growth.

The Opportunity This is not a caretaker role.

This is a sector‑shaping leadership opportunity at a pivotal moment in Australia's energy transition.

Reporting to the Board, the CEO will:

Lead the strategic direction of the Smart Energy Council

Elevate the organisation's national policy influence

Strengthen commercial performance and long‑term financial sustainability

Expand international engagement, including COP representation

Position the SEC as the authoritative voice of the smart energy industry

With a strengthened executive structure—incorporating a Chief Operating Officer (operations, membership, events and financial delivery) and a Chief Advocacy Officer (policy and government engagement)—the CEO will focus on strategic leadership, external influence, growth and institutional impact.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute a clear multi‑year strategy endorsed by the Board

Serve as the principal spokesperson and public face of the organisation

Maintain senior relationships with Ministers, regulators, industry leaders and global stakeholders

Drive revenue growth and diversified income streams

Lead strategic partnerships and capital relationships

Align and inspire a high‑performing executive team

Ensure strong governance, accountability and performance culture

About You You are a strategic and commercially astute executive with the credibility to lead at the highest levels.

You bring:

Proven CEO or senior executive experience in a complex, stakeholder‑rich environment

Strong commercial acumen and experience delivering financial performance

Demonstrated success influencing government, regulatory or public policy environments

Experience working closely with Boards and governance frameworks

Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication capability

Experience in renewable energy, infrastructure, climate policy, industry bodies or adjacent sectors will be highly regarded.

Most importantly, you are motivated by impact. You understand the scale and urgency of the energy transition and are driven to build institutions that shape the future.

Why Join Us? The Smart Energy Council sits at the centre of Australia's energy transformation — influencing policy, unlocking investment, convening industry and representing Australia globally.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a national institution at a time of structural economic change.

If you are ready to shape the future of Australia's smart energy sector, we would like to hear from you.

Other senior executives as determined by structure

Location Canberra preferred (with significant national travel)

Organisational Context The Smart Energy Council (SEC) is Australia's peak industry body for the renewables and smart energy sector. It represents a broad ecosystem of developers, manufacturers, financiers, technology providers, and industry leaders driving Australia's clean energy transition.

The SEC's core pillars include:

Policy and advocacy leadership

Industry representation and membership services

Major events and convening power

Strategic partnerships and sector development

The organisation is entering a new phase of leadership transition and institutional strengthening. A clarified executive structure separates strategic leadership from operational execution. The CEO leads overall strategy, external positioning, sector influence, commercial growth, international representation, and institutional sustainability.

Purpose of the Role The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, reputation, and performance of the Smart Energy Council.

The CEO's core mandate is to:

Maintain the SEC as the authoritative voice of Australia's smart energy industry.

Drive national policy influence and engagement.

Ensure long‑term financial sustainability and commercial growth.

Strengthen the institution's governance, performance culture, and strategic clarity.

Deliver measurable value and influence for members.

The CEO is accountable to the Board for organisational outcomes, financial performance, and strategic direction.

Strategic Priorities The CEO will lead the organisation to:

Working closely with the CAO, ensure the SEC is central to national energy, climate, industrial, and market reform discussions.

Drive Sustainable Growth Expand and diversify revenue streams across membership, sponsorship, events, strategic partnerships, and international initiatives.

Build Institutional Strength Develop a disciplined, high‑performing, governance‑aligned organisation capable of long‑term sector leadership.

Increase Member Impact Ensure members experience tangible strategic, commercial, and policy value from their engagement with the SEC.

Key Accountabilities Strategic Leadership

Develop and execute a multi‑year strategy endorsed by the Board.

Identify emerging sector risks and opportunities.

Position the organisation ahead of regulatory, political, and market shifts.

Ensure alignment between advocacy, commercial activity, and operational delivery.

Executive Leadership & Organisational Alignment

Lead and align the executive team (COO, CAO, and others).

Clearly define decision rights and accountability across strategy, advocacy, and operations.

Build a high‑performance culture with measurable KPIs.

Ensure succession planning and leadership development.

Advocacy & Sector Influence

Serve as the principal public voice of the SEC.

Maintain senior relationships with Ministers, Shadow Ministers, regulators, and key policymakers.

Support and empower the CAO to deliver effective, evidence‑based policy platforms.

Lead high‑level negotiations and sector‑shaping initiatives.

Ensure SEC continues to deliver reforms that accelerate the renewable and smart energy transition in Australia and strengthen its influence in the region for our members.

Deliver sustainable revenue growth and financial resilience.

Oversee financial performance in partnership with the COO and Board Treasurer.

Drive commercial discipline, strategic partnerships, and long‑term capital relationships.

Ensure robust budgeting, forecasting, and risk management frameworks.

Governance & Board Relationship

Maintain a strong, transparent, and trusted relationship with the Board.

Provide high‑quality reporting, strategic advice, and performance updates.

Ensure compliance with governance obligations and regulatory requirements.

Facilitate structured strategic planning and Board engagement.

Executive Structure & Reporting Relationships Chief Operating Officer (COO) The COO is responsible for:

Events and program delivery

Organisational systems and performance management

Chief Advocacy Officer (CAO) The CAO is responsible for:

Policy development and regulatory strategy

Government relations and political engagement

Industry consultation and consensus building

Advocacy campaigns and submissions

Technical and regulatory expertise

Performance Expectations The CEO's performance will be assessed against:

Revenue & surplus growth and diversification

Financial sustainability and disciplined cost management

Measurable policy influence and advocacy outcomes

Member growth, retention, and engagement metrics

Strengthened executive team alignment and performance culture

Enhanced national and international reputation

Board confidence in leadership and governance discipline

Required Experience

Proven experience as a CEO, Managing Director, or senior executive in a complex, stakeholder‑driven environment.

Demonstrated commercial acumen with P&L responsibility.

Experience influencing government policy and regulatory environments.

Track record of organisational growth and institutional strengthening.

Experience working closely with Boards and governance frameworks.

Desired Experience

Renewable energy, energy markets, climate policy, infrastructure, or adjacent sectors.

Leadership within an industry association or member‑based organisation.

International engagement experience, including trade or climate forums.

Experience developing relationships with philanthropic funders

Experience leading organisational transformation or scale‑up phases.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Strategic foresight and sector insight

Political judgement and policy literacy

Commercial drive and financial discipline

Gravitas and credibility with senior stakeholders

Ability to manage complex and competing member & stakeholder interests

Institutional mindset focused on long‑term impa...