mecwacare is a leading not-for-profit organisation and one of Victoria’s most respected providers of aged care, retirement living, home care and community services. For more than 65 years, mecwacare has supported older Australians and vulnerable members of the community to live with dignity, independence and connection through an integrated network of residential aged care homes, retirement living communities, in-home care and community-based services. Today, the organisation supports more than 20,000 people each week across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria through the dedication of a diverse workforce of employees and volunteers. Guided by its values of Caring, Accountable, Respectful and Ethical, mecwacare combines a proud heritage of compassionate, person-centred care with a commitment to innovation, quality and sustainable growth. Well positioned to respond to changing community expectations and ongoing sector reform, mecwacare continues to build on its strong reputation while shaping the future of care, wellbeing and community connection for older Australians.

About the role

Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for mecwacare's strategic direction, organisational performance and long-term sustainability. The CEO will lead the organisation's evolution as an integrated care and community services provider, strengthening the connection between care, housing and community services to create a more integrated client experience. This includes delivering safe, high-quality and person-centred services, maintaining compliance with legislative, regulatory and accreditation requirements, and leading the organisation's response to ongoing sector reform and an evolving policy and regulatory environment. The CEO will drive the integration and value realisation of acquisitions, lead financial planning and capital allocation, develop the executive team and succession pipeline, and strengthen partnerships across government, healthcare, housing, disability and research sectors. Key to success will be translating existing investments in technology, data and AI into measurable benefits for residents, clients, employees and organisational performance.

About you

You are an accomplished CEO or senior executive with a proven track record leading large, complex and stakeholder-rich organisations. You have successfully navigated growth, transformation and increasing community expectations while delivering robust operational and financial performance. Experience in aged care, healthcare, community services or another highly regulated, service-intensive sector will be valued, although candidates from adjacent customer-focused and purpose-led environments will also be considered. You bring strong commercial, financial and governance capability, together with experience leading large and diverse workforces, and building productive, trusted partnerships with boards, governments, regulators, partners and the communities you serve. A strategic and future-focused leader, you are comfortable navigating complexity, driving organisational change and leveraging technology, data and innovation to strengthen organisational performance and service outcomes. You have a demonstrated ability to build high-performing executive teams, develop leadership capability and reinforce organisational culture in a values-driven environment. Above all, you are an authentic and values-led leader whose judgement, integrity, resilience and collaborative approach inspire confidence, foster accountability and enable others to succeed.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ to submit your CV along with a covering letter. For further information you may contact Catherine Reidy at SHK via email on catherine.reidy@shk.com.au, quoting reference 3683813. Direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to SHK. Closing date for receipt of applications is November 13, 2026. This position is based in Melbourne, Victoria.