Chief Executive Officer

Talent Nation has been engaged by Market Forces to lead the search for their next Chief Executive Officer. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Australia's most effective environmental campaigning organisations at a pivotal moment for climate finance.
The OrganisationMarket Forces is campaigning to protect the environment by shifting finance away from the fossil fuels which are driving global climate change. The team holds banks, superannuation funds and other investors to account for financing environmentally damaging activities, from coal and gas expansion to the erosion of climate commitments by major financial institutions. Their work spans Australia, Asia and beyond, wherever the intervention can create the greatest impact, and is grounded in a shared commitment to Empowerment, Integrity, Impact and Creativity as its core values.
The RoleReporting to the Board, the CEO provides overall strategic leadership of Market Forces. You will translate the organisation's mission into effective strategy, build the leadership team and culture needed to deliver it, and secure the organisation's long-term financial sustainability and credibility. You'll lead a passionate team of 25 through a Chief Campaigns Officer (CCO) and Chief Operating Officer, and work closely with staff, funders, strategic partners and the organisations Market Forces holds to account.
With a newly created CCO to be put in place to run campaign delivery, this CEO will have the opportunity to step out of operations and into strategy. The focus is on impact, growth, funder and stakeholder relationships, and building a strong CCO partnership, a different mix to the role's history and a genuine opportunity to shape where Market Forces goes next.
Why this roleA high-impact campaigning organisation entering a new growth phase, with the opportunity to shape its strategy for the next five to ten years.Strong governance improvements and operational foundations already in place, giving you a stable platform to scale from.A healthy financial position, backed by multi-year grants.A well-regarded brand in the sector, with credible research and campaigning capability behind it.
What success looks likeCampaign impact - consolidating Market Forces’ position as a leading authority moving finance away from fossil fuel projects.Reputation and credibility - public communications, media relationships and stakeholder engagement reinforce the mission, and organisational reputation is actively protected.Financial sustainability and growth - the organisation operates within budget, and the funding base is cultivated, grown and diversified.Employer of choice - Market Forces attracts and retains talented, mission-aligned people, with a values-driven leadership culture that supports staff enablement and wellbeing.Board accountability and governance - the Board is well-informed and supported, with governance obligations met and a relationship built on transparency and trust.
About youYou are strategic and bold, willing to push boundaries within an agreed risk appetite, and you lead like a collaborative conductor, harnessing passionate campaign teams without micromanaging them. You communicate with credibility across funders, media and sector peers, and you are open and transparent, quick to build trust with staff and Board alike. Above all, you are pragmatic and politically savvy, balancing activism credibility with boardroom composure.
What you will bringDemonstrated campaigning experience, ideally within environmental campaigning or with strong adjacent campaigning credentials.A track record of strategic leadership in advocacy or campaign organisations, setting strategy and running teams rather than delivering tactically.Credibility with funders and philanthropy, and a proven ability to secure and steward multi-year funding relationships.The range to be credible across every stakeholder Market Forces engages, from protest and activism fronts to boardrooms and conversations with major funders and corporate leaders.Strong people leadership for a passionate team of 25.
How to ApplyApply now by submitting your current CV (in Word format) via Talent Nation's online application process.
For a confidential discussion or to review the full position description, please contact Nathan Kelly on 0418 742 529 or nathan@talentnation.com.au.
To be eligible to apply, you must have unrestricted rights to work in Australia.
Talent Nation encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sex and genders. Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process.
Talent Nation is a B Corp-certified recruitment agency specialising in ESG, environment, sustainability, and Impact roles across Australia and New Zealand.