Chief Executive Officer

Work Type:

Fixed-term – Full-time Salary:

Salary not specified Grade:

Grade in advertisement Occupation:

Leadership and management Location:

Melbourne – CBD and Inner Metro suburbs Reference:

VG/SLV/CEO/1908774

Lead One of the World’s Great Libraries into the Future.

This is your opportunity to drive the vision, strategy and cultural impact of an iconic public institution grounded in the enduring mission of a great library: stewardship of collections, access to knowledge, and public learning. As Chief Executive Officer of State Library Victoria, you will lead a period of renewal and transformation, strengthening the Library’s national and international profile and deepening its contribution to community, culture and learning.

Why This Role?

Lead an Australian icon with global reach

– steward one of the world’s great libraries, welcoming millions of visitors annually, while amplifying the Library’s voice nationally and internationally.

Deliver a Board‑backed strategy

– execute and deliver the refreshed organisational strategy with a focus on core library services, collections, scholarship and access, aligned to Board and government priorities.

Be the public face of culture and learning

– shape conversations across education, technology and the arts; build alliances with government, the education sector, cultural institutions and Indigenous communities.

Mobilise philanthropy and partnerships at scale

– lead major campaigns and strategic partnerships that fuel programs, collections and digital innovation, securing the Library’s long‑term sustainability.

About State Library Victoria Founded in 1854, State Library Victoria is one of the world’s most visited public libraries and among the first free libraries in the world. Today, it is a globally connected cultural institution and a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and innovation. Its iconic heritage spaces, including the La Trobe Reading Room, inspire millions of visitors annually, while its digital platforms extend its reach worldwide.

The Opportunity As CEO, you will:

Lead the execution and delivery of a refreshed organisational strategy in partnership with the Board.

Champion a contemporary culture—embedding accountability, collaboration and innovation across the Library.

Serve as the Library’s public champion, strengthening local, national and international partnerships.

Drive philanthropic strategy and major campaigns; ensure financial sustainability and strong governance.

Build a cohesive, enterprise‑wide executive leadership coalition and ensure operational excellence across collections, research capability, public access and digital services.

What We’re Looking For

Proven strategic leadership

of complex, high‑profile public or cultural institutions, ideally with international experience.

Stakeholder influence

and credibility with Boards, government, donors and global partners.

Philanthropic and commercial acumen , including major fundraising/capital campaigns.

Culture and change leadership , cultivating an inclusive, high-performance culture and enabling cohesive senior leadership.

A leadership style that is

authentic, inspiring, people‑focused and accountable , with a deep commitment to public cultural institutions.

Why Melbourne? Regularly ranked among the world’s most liveable cities, Melbourne offers a dynamic cultural scene, world‑class dining and a thriving creative community—an ideal home base for global cultural leadership.

Ready to Lead a Legacy? For a confidential discussion, please contact Patrizia Anzellotti, Andrew Abbott, Grace Tan, or Jonathan Lai at Korn Ferry.

Applications close:

11:59pm, 26th March 2026

How to apply:

Visit the Chief Executive Officer advertisement on the Korn Ferry site then submit your CV and cover letter to SLV-CEO@Kornferry.com. Applications close Thursday 26 March 2026 at 11.59pm

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