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The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity for a resilient, transformational leader to guide Bagala Aboriginal Corporation, an organisation with strong political influence across the Territory and beyond.
As CEO, you will not only oversee critical community services and commercial enterprises but also serve as the custodian of one of Australia’s most important cultural events. With a governance focus, a platform ready for impact, and an engaged Board, Bagala offers excellent future potential.

About Bagala Aboriginal Corporation
Our client is a dynamic entity dedicated to providing services, meaningful development opportunities, and employment for Indigenous people in the Barunga and Wugularr communities.

Home of the Barunga Festival
You will lead the organisation responsible for delivering the Barunga Festival, a nationally recognised event with a rich history dating back to 1985. Famous as the site where the historic "Barunga Statement" was presented to Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1988, the festival attracts thousands of visitors annually. It is a massive logistical and cultural undertaking that celebrates music, sport, and culture, placing the community—and this role—in the national spotlight.
  
A Diverse Portfolio
Beyond the festival, the Corporation manages a broad range of assets and programs:

• Commercial Enterprises: Oversight of the Remote Laundry and Bagala Store.
• Community Programs: Community Court and Men's Wellness initiatives.
• Property Management: A portfolio of commercial and residential assets.

About the Role
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO provides strategic leadership across policy, finance, HR, assets, and major projects. The objective is to lead the organisation to achieve the Board’s vision while discharging functions in accordance with the CATSI Act and the organisation’s Code of Conduct.

Key responsibilities include:

• Event Leadership: Overseeing the strategic delivery of the Barunga Festival, ensuring its continued success and cultural integrity.
• Strategic & Operational Balance: Ensuring compliance with the Risk Management Framework while maintaining a hands-on approach to daily operations.
• Agile Leadership: The ability to pivot between executive duties and providing operational support during peak times (such as Festival week) or where resource gaps exist.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Negotiating with diverse stakeholders including Traditional Owners, the Northern Land Council, government bodies, and commercial contractors.
• Financial Oversight: Managing budgets, diverse funding streams, and commercial revenue generation.

About You
The organisation is looking for a current CEO or a seasoned senior executive ready to step into a CEO role. You must possess exceptional communication skills and a deep passion for working for Aboriginal people.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Governance Expertise: Strong grasp of governance, professional management, and board reporting (ideally within an ACCO environment).
• Operational Resilience: Proven experience in a role where "no day is the same." You are adaptable and capable of navigating the logistics of remote living.
• Cross-Cultural Communication: Ability to listen, build rapport, and explain complex concepts to people without comprehensive formal governance training.
• Service Mindset: A genuine willingness to "pitch in where needed." We are looking for a leader who demonstrates humility and leads by example to get the job done.
• Financial & Grant Literacy: Experience managing commercial revenue and government funding.
• Computer Literacy: High competency in MS Excel, MS Word, and IT security practices.

Desirable Knowledge:

• Experience in Event Management or overseeing large-scale community projects.
• Knowledge of the CATSI Act 2006 and National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
• Experience living or working in remote Indigenous communities.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Ochre Card: Working with Children Clearance.
• Police Check: National Criminal History Check (no more than 3 months old).
• Driver's Licence: Current, valid Australian driver's licence.

The Reward This position offers a competitive package reflective of the responsibility and remote location.

• Cash Salary: $140,000 per annum.
• Superannuation: 12% contribution.
• Housing: Subsidised housing provided (Significant value in remote region).
• Vehicle: Private and business use of a Work vehicle. Strict adherence to the ban on night driving (sunset to sunrise) is a condition of vehicle use.
• Leave Entitlements:
  • ○ 6 weeks paid annual leave per year.
  • ○ 15 days personal/carer’s leave per year.
• Travel: Annual return economy airfare from Katherine to an Australian capital city of your choice.

Recruitment Priority In alignment with Bagala Aboriginal Corporation's commitment to creating sustainable employment pathways, recruitment is prioritised as follows:

1. Indigenous candidates
2. Local / Territory-based candidates
3. All other sources

Application Instructions All enquiries are welcomed.
Please contact John Broweleit, Managing Director at ANSON Management Consulting via email: jbroweleit@anson.com.au
To Apply:
Please submit your Resume and a 1-2 page cover letter addressing the key selection criteria above via the 'Apply' link or via our website at http://anson.com.au.
Applications close COB on Monday, 19th January 2026.

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