General Manager

Company Description

The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) is the national peak body representing organisations that support refugees, migrants and humanitarian entrants to settle and thrive in Australia. We are a small, high-impact organisation operating at the intersection of policy influence, lived experience leadership, and sector coordination. As we strengthen our organisational maturity and national positioning, we are seeking an exceptional General Manager to partner closely with the CEO and help drive long-term sustainability.

Role Description The General Manager is the CEO’s principal operational and strategic partner — the senior organisational leader responsible for ensuring cohesion, integration and performance across the organisation.

This is not a portfolio management role. Functional managers retain day-to-day delivery responsibility. The General Manager ensures clarity, alignment, accountability and enterprise-level integration across governance, finance, policy coordination and organisational systems.

In the CEO’s absence, the General Manager exercises delegated authority to ensure operational continuity and stability.

This is a pivotal leadership role focused on organisational coherence, financial sustainability and long-term impact.

Qualifications

Experience as a General Manager, COO, Executive Manager or 2IC in a small–medium organisation

Strong enterprise-level thinking and cross-functional integration capability

Governance, compliance and Board reporting expertise

Financial oversight and sustainability experience

Proven ability to translate strategy into coordinated operational delivery

People leadership that fosters accountability and cultural safety

Strong communication and influence skills

Operational agility in dynamic environments

Deep commitment to equity, lived-experience leadership and community-led practice

Key Responsibilities 1. Enterprise Leadership & Organisational Integration

Act as CEO’s principal 2IC and senior organisational leader

Translate Board-approved strategy into coordinated operational plans

Ensure alignment and performance accountability across all functions

Provide leadership oversight to managers while respecting portfolio autonomy

Maintain leadership continuity during CEO absence

Support a high-performing, culturally safe workplace grounded in clarity and care

2. Governance & Risk Oversight

Strengthen governance frameworks and compliance systems

Oversee high-quality Board reporting and performance updates

Monitor organisational risk and regulatory obligations

Enhance transparency and sound decision-making systems

3. Financial Stewardship & Sustainability

Oversee financial performance in partnership with CEO and Business & Operations Manager

Monitor budgets, expenditure controls and financial risk

Support revenue diversification (grants, partnerships, membership growth, fee-for-service)

Embed financial discipline and long-term sustainability practices

4. Policy & Strategic Impact

Provide senior oversight of policy development

Ensure policy positions reflect evidence, lived experience and sector insight

Support analysis of legislative and regulatory developments

Strengthen coordinated sector influence

5. Stakeholder & Organisational Positioning

Partner with CEO on high-level stakeholder engagement

Strengthen membership growth and value proposition

Support integrated consultation and co-design processes

Represent SCOA externally where delegated

Why This Role Matters SCOA is entering a critical phase of organisational consolidation and strategic repositioning. This role is central to strengthening governance, embedding financial discipline, integrating functions, and ensuring sustainable national leadership for the settlement sector.

You will work in close partnership with a values-driven CEO and staff team, and a highly experienced Board committed to equity, cultural safety and systemic impact.

How to Apply To apply, please submit:

A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

Your current CV

Applications close: Monday 16th March 2026

For all applications or confidential enquiries, contact: Maria Dimopoulos AM, CEO, SCOA at Maria.dimopoulos@scoa.org.au

If you are a senior organisational leader ready to help shape the future of Australia’s settlement sector — we encourage you to apply.

Join us in strengthening national leadership grounded in lived experience and community impact.

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