Chief Business Officer – Community Housing

Employment Type: Full-time, 38 hours per weekSalary: Executive package, commensurate with experienceLead. Shape. Strengthen.We are proud to partner with SEARMS Community Housing Aboriginal Corporation, a registered National Regulatory System for Community Housing Providers (NRSCH) and Aboriginal Community Housing provider (ACHP). SEARMS has served Aboriginal communities in regional NSW and the ACT since 2003, providing housing and tenancy management services to the Aboriginal Housing Officer and other Aboriginal organisations.SEARMS is searching for a dedicated, values-aligned Chief Business Officer (CBO) to guide and support their core corporate service functions. This is a rare opportunity for a leader who thrives on building strong teams, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, and combining strategic vision with practical, hands-on expertise in corporate services, human resources, workplace health and safety, governance, and quality assurance.Reporting directly to the CEO, the CBO will drive operational excellence across SEARMS, ensuring the team meet their legal, compliance, and operational obligations as a community housing provider and employer. You will embed culturally safe, trauma-informed practices across systems, and lead initiatives that build organisational capability for long-term sustainability.Key Focus Areas:Human Resources Leadership - Lead strategic HR, workforce development, performance management, and employee relations to attract and retain top talent.WHS Compliance - Maintain robust safety systems, ensure compliance, and foster a proactive safety culture.Critical Incident Management - Oversee incident planning, response, review, and reporting.Organisational Quality & Governance - Ensure policy frameworks, compliance registers, and governance systems are current, effective, and audit-ready.Leadership & Corporate Services - Lead a high-performing Corporate Services team, delivering exceptional business support.Business Operations - Manage grants, oversee brand and communications, and represent SEARMS at sector forums and events. What You’ll Bring:Tertiary qualifications in HR, Business Administration, or a related field.Proven experience in HR leadership, WHS compliance, and organisational development.Demonstrated expertise in critical incident response and risk management.Experience in a community-controlled, Aboriginal, or not-for-profit environment.Strong understanding of Aboriginal cultural safety principles in the workplace.Exceptional leadership, coaching, and stakeholder engagement skills. Why Join SEARMS?At SEARMS, the team are committed to delivering high-quality, culturally safe housing services and strengthening Aboriginal community housing capacity. As CBO, you will have the platform to make a significant impact - shaping systems, building internal capacity, and ensuring the organisation remains a leader in their field. Position Description AUD Batemans Bay 2536

Chief Business Officer - Community Housing

  • Batemans Bay Location.
  • Executive position reporting into the CEO.
  • Lead initiatives that build organisational capability.

Employment Type: Full-time, 38 hours per week
Salary: Executive package, commensurate with experience

Lead. Shape. Strengthen.

We are proud to partner with SEARMS Community Housing Aboriginal Corporation, a registered National Regulatory System for Community Housing Providers (NRSCH) and Aboriginal Community Housing provider (ACHP). SEARMS has served Aboriginal communities in regional NSW and the ACT since 2003, providing housing and tenancy management services to the Aboriginal Housing Officer and other Aboriginal organisations.

SEARMS is searching for a dedicated, values-aligned Chief Business Officer (CBO) to guide and support their core corporate service functions. This is a rare opportunity for a leader who thrives on building strong teams, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, and combining strategic vision with practical, hands-on expertise in corporate services, human resources, workplace health and safety, governance, and quality assurance.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the CBO will drive operational excellence across SEARMS, ensuring the team meet their legal, compliance, and operational obligations as a community housing provider and employer. You will embed culturally safe, trauma-informed practices across systems, and lead initiatives that build organisational capability for long-term sustainability.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Human Resources Leadership - Lead strategic HR, workforce development, performance management, and employee relations to attract and retain top talent.
  • WHS Compliance - Maintain robust safety systems, ensure compliance, and foster a proactive safety culture.
  • Critical Incident Management - Oversee incident planning, response, review, and reporting.
  • Organisational Quality & Governance - Ensure policy frameworks, compliance registers, and governance systems are current, effective, and audit-ready.
  • Leadership & Corporate Services - Lead a high-performing Corporate Services team, delivering exceptional business support.
  • Business Operations - Manage grants, oversee brand and communications, and represent SEARMS at sector forums and events.

 

What You’ll Bring:

  • Tertiary qualifications in HR, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Proven experience in HR leadership, WHS compliance, and organisational development.
  • Demonstrated expertise in critical incident response and risk management.
  • Experience in a community-controlled, Aboriginal, or not-for-profit environment.
  • Strong understanding of Aboriginal cultural safety principles in the workplace.
  • Exceptional leadership, coaching, and stakeholder engagement skills.

 

Why Join SEARMS?


At SEARMS, the team are committed to delivering high-quality, culturally safe housing services and strengthening Aboriginal community housing capacity. As CBO, you will have the platform to make a significant impact - shaping systems, building internal capacity, and ensuring the organisation remains a leader in their field. 

How to Apply:
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role against the selection criteria via https://jobs.bloomhr.com.au/

For a confidential discussion, contact Talent Manager Mahala Warren on 0490 190 779 or mahalaw@bloomhr.com.au.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply. Prior experience working with First Nations organisations, peak bodies or in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community housing sector will be highly regarded.

  • Posted Date 14 Aug 2025
  • Location Batemans Bay
    NSW / Australia
  • Industry Community Services & Development
  • Job Type Full Time
  • Salary Not provided