Chief Executive Officer

|

Women's Health in the South East (WHISE)

Remote (local)
  • Career category: Advocacy/ Policy, Business development, Partnership
  • Job type: Job
  • Experience level: Other (specified in job description)
  • Organisation type: Civil Society
  • Remote option: Remote (local)
  • Right to work requirements: Not specified
  • Remuneration: Remuneration not disclosed
  • Work schedule: Full-time
  • Length of contract: Permanent
  • Deadline: 28/09/2026
  • Location: Australia
Gender equality and Social inclusion (GESI) Health
The organisation
Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) is the regional women’s health service for Melbourne’s Southern Metropolitan Region, and one of twelve women’s health services funded through the Victorian Government’s Victorian Women’s Health Program. Founded in 1992, it is a proudly feminist organisation working within a social model of health, with intersectional feminism, compassion and lived experience as its operating principles.

The opportunity
The outgoing Chief Executive leaves a well-regarded organisation with two new four-year regional strategies launched with partners. The incoming Chief Executive inherits an organisation in good shape, with strong partnerships and a return to surplus behind it, and real scope to shape what WHISE becomes next. Women’s health has moved to the centre of Victorian policy. The Inquiry into Women’s Pain drew contributions from more than 13,000 women, girls, carers and clinicians, and its recommendations are now in play. The Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic) has driven demand for exactly the expertise women’s health services hold. But the Victorian Government continued sector funding in the 2026-27 State Budget on a one-year commitment, so the case for ongoing investment falls to the incoming Chief Executive as a key priority. 

About you

  • A feminist leader in public. You can explain and defend a feminist and intersectional analysis in front of government, funders and the media. This is a requirement of the role, not a preference.
  • Senior leadership in the not-for-profit sector. Good experience in a health, community or women’s organisation. The Board is open to a capable first-time chief executive.
  • Deep in women’s health and primary prevention. Women’s rights, the evidence base, and what prevention actually takes at a regional scale.
  • Fluent with funders. Deep fluency working with funders, including established relationships with the Department of Health and DFFH, strong acquittal discipline across short funding cycles, and an understanding of the collective dynamics within a twelve-member sector network.
  • A public voice with judgement. Influence and communication that lands with executive leaders and in public forums, and the resilience to deliver when the work is contested.
  • Strategic agility and foresight. Strong financial and commercial judgement, strategic thinking that adapts when legislation and policy move, and the discipline to keep a small organisation running well.
  • A leader who shares power. You recognise lived experience as a source of expertise, and you lead a fully remote team by trust and outcomes rather than visibility.

*When clicking on “Apply”, you will be redirected to the original job announcement and details

Apply

*There are individuals who may use GenderJobs.org name and trademark in emails and on websites in an attempt to solicit fees from interested job-seekers. Some examples of these fees are placement fees or immigration processing fees. GenderJobs.org does not use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an up-front fee of any kind. If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud from someone pretending to be GenderJobs.org, please contact us at [email protected]