Chief Executive Officer
MADEC
Unique and dynamic Chief Executive Officer opportunity
Shaping the future and growth of a leading community service organisation
Mackay-based with national outlook
About MADEC
Recognised as a Public Benevolent Institution since 2014, MADEC is a not for profit, community organisation providing disability and youth supports in the Mackay/Whitsunday region since 1973. They are a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Provider and Licensed Child Safety Provider in Mackay. MADEC view their community as a whole, inclusive of individuals and groups of all ages and abilities and their vision is to create an inclusive community that empowers, supports and respects all individuals.
Your Opportunity
MADEC is entering an exciting era of transformation and growth. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will lead this next chapter, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver exceptional client centred services while strengthening capability, culture, and long-term sustainability. Reporting directly to the Board, the CEO provides strategic leadership and acts as the primary source of assurance on organisational performance, financial health, compliance, and risk.
A key priority is shaping MADEC’s future direction. Working with the Board, the CEO will lead the development and execution of the strategic plan, ensuring growth opportunities are identified, evaluated, and implemented in line with MADEC’s purpose, values, and risk appetite. This includes expanding service offerings, deepening community impact, and strengthening partnerships across government, sector networks, and local communities.
The CEO fosters an empowering, inclusive, and psychologically safe culture that supports strong performance, professional development, and workforce retention. They ensure leaders are equipped to deliver highquality services, manage risk, and drive continuous improvement across all areas of the organisation.
Safeguarding remains a core responsibility. The CEO ensures all services—particularly youth and disability supports—are safe, rights-based, and person centred. They fulfil obligations as NDIS Key Personnel and Child Safety Nominee, maintaining a zero tolerance approach to harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Client voice and lived experience continue to guide service design, improvement, and strategic decision-making.
The CEO leads innovation, operational excellence, and service quality, ensuring MADEC’s systems, reporting, governance, and financial management are robust and future ready. They strengthen MADEC’s reputation and community connection through effective communication, engagement, and advocacy. This role requires a visionary, values driven leader who can guide MADEC through growth, transformation, and capability uplift—while ensuring clients remain at the centre of everything they do.
About You
To be successful in this role you will possess:
Qualifications & Experience
Relevant tertiary qualifications and senior executive leadership experience in human services or a related sector. A postgraduate and/or formal governance qualifications would be desirable.
Proven experience working with Boards and governance frameworks, and strong governance, risk management, and compliance capability.
Strong financial acumen and strategic ability and agility.
Experience leading organisations through transformational change and growth.
Understanding of the community service or not-for-profit sector. An appreciation of NDIS, OOHC, child protection, and WHS frameworks would be advantageous.
Contemporary leadership, communication, and decision‑making ability.
Personal Qualities
Values driven, ethical, and accountable leadership.
Calm, decisive, and effective under pressure.
Transparent, approachable, and resilient.
Systems thinker committed to continuous improvement.
Aligns with and models MADEC’s Vision, Mission, Values, and Culture.
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining your capability and motivation to Watermark Search International at search@watermarksearch.com.au quoting Ref No A006271. We will reply to the email address used for your application.
For a confidential discussion, please call Will Wilson or Alison Myatt of Watermark Search International on (07) 3020 0316.
To obtain a copy of the Candidate Brief for this role, please visit (copy and paste link into your browser): https://watermark.qwilr.com/Success-Profile-CEO-MADEC-2i6rmGQC2a6r
Applications close: 11:59PM AEST on Tuesday, 6 April 2026