Executive Jobs in Australia

We place senior leaders across a broad range of functions and levels. At the C-suite level, we recruit for Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer and Chief People Officer roles. Below the C-suite, we regularly fill General Manager, Director, Head of Department and Senior Manager positions across corporate functions including finance, operations, technology, human resources, marketing, legal and strategy. We work with publicly listed companies, privately held businesses, government agencies at federal, state and local level, and not-for-profit organisations across all Australian states and territories. Our executive search capability is supported by the broader Chandler Macleod group, which has been placing leaders across Australia since 1959.

Executive recruitment operates differently from general recruitment in several important respects. Most senior appointments are handled on a retained or exclusive basis, where the recruiting firm works in close partnership with the organisation over an extended search period, typically six to twelve weeks for a confidential shortlisting process. Many roles at the executive level are never publicly advertised, with appointments made through direct approaches to passive candidates identified through the recruiter's networks and research. The assessment process is more comprehensive, often involving structured competency interviews, psychometric and leadership assessments, referee conversations at peer and board level, and in some cases external validation of financial or operational track records. Chandler Macleod's executive team draws on the group's broader candidate networks and sector-specific expertise to conduct searches that go well beyond advertised applicant pools.

Requirements vary significantly by role and sector. At the CEO and Managing Director level, boards and selection committees typically seek candidates with a proven record of leading an organisation or significant business unit through a period of growth, transformation or turnaround, with demonstrable commercial and stakeholder outcomes. Functional executive roles such as CFO and CIO generally expect relevant professional qualifications — a CA, CPA or equivalent for finance executives; an MBA, engineering degree or relevant technical background for technology and operations executives. Government SES and executive positions often require demonstrated capability against the relevant leadership framework, such as the APS Senior Executive Leadership Capability Framework. Across all sectors, executive candidates are assessed heavily on cultural fit, leadership style and the alignment of their values with the organisation's strategic direction.

Executive remuneration varies considerably by organisation size, sector and role scope. Senior manager and Head of Department roles in medium-sized organisations typically attract total packages between $150,000 and $220,000. General Manager and Director roles in larger organisations generally range from $200,000 to $350,000 in total package, including short-term incentives. C-suite roles at listed companies and large government bodies can attract packages well above $400,000, with long-term incentive structures forming a significant component. Government executive remuneration is typically banded under state or federal executive pay scales and may be lower than equivalent private sector roles, offset by stability, defined benefits, and broader organisational impact. Chandler Macleod's executive consultants can advise on current market remuneration benchmarks for specific role types and sectors.

Confidentiality is a fundamental requirement of executive search and one that Chandler Macleod takes seriously. When a candidate registers their interest or is approached directly, their details are not shared with any organisation without explicit prior consent. For candidates who are currently employed and exploring opportunities on a discreet basis, our consultants conduct all initial discussions off the record and present only sanitised, unattributable profiles to client organisations at the early stages of a search. Organisations conducting executive searches through Chandler Macleod are also subject to confidentiality obligations, including restrictions on the use of candidate information outside the recruitment process. If you have concerns about confidentiality in a specific situation, our executive consultants will discuss the appropriate approach with you before any information is shared.

The most effective approach is to register your CV directly and request contact with one of our executive recruitment consultants rather than simply applying to an advertised role. Because many senior appointments are off-market, being known to our team before a specific role opens is significantly more advantageous than responding to an advertisement after the fact. When you register, include a clear summary of the types of roles and sectors you are interested in, your preferred locations, your availability and any constraints such as notice period or geographic flexibility. Our consultants will arrange a confidential conversation to understand your background and career objectives and will contact you when a relevant opportunity arises, whether or not it is publicly listed.