CEO - Western Chances

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The Organisation

Western Chances empowers young people from Melbourne’s west and Greater Geelong who are facing financial barriers to achieve their potential. We award scholarships to motivated and talented young people from diverse cultural backgrounds and connect them to life-changing opportunities so they can thrive.

We have a strong track record of success and since first awarding scholarships in 2004, we have invested $10 million in Melbourne’s west, awarding over 10,000 scholarships and empowering over 4,400 young people.

We are in an exciting period of growth and 2024 was our biggest year of impact on record as we:

• Awarded over $1.1m in Scholarship funds to 1,197 talented young people across Melbourne’s west and Greater Geelong.
• Placed 67 tertiary recipients into paid 12-week Internships at leading businesses across Melbourne as part of our Internship Program.
• Facilitated free access to learning and development opportunities delivered outside the classroom through our Links Program, valued at over $900,000.

The Role

As the next Chief Executive Officer of Western Chances, you will lead a growing movement that ignites a spark in young people and transforms the community of Melbourne’s west through education.

You will set the strategic vision and partner with the Western Chances Board to plot Western Chances growth and future impactful outcomes. As a visionary leader, you will inspire operational excellence and continuous improvement that drives change.

Sound governance practice and strong fundraising skills will be a focus, ensuring Western Chances ongoing sustainability by developing a wide array of funding sources while scaling programs that address educational inequity.

This role requires a collaborative and values-driven leader who excels at cultivating and maintaining deep relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. You will represent Western Chances mission with energy and authenticity.

You bring a track record of impact in not-for-profit leadership, or a mission-driven enterprise and have a commitment to social equity and community development; you will lead with purpose and adaptability.

Knowledge or experience working in Melbourne\’s Western suburbs or with students/young people is desirable.

To Apply

We are seeking applications for a full-time CEO to lead Western Chances into the next phase of our development.

For more information about Western Chances, please visit our website.

Our Pro-bono partner Willet Marketing is kindly managing this recruitment process. To request the Candidate Information Pack or if you have specific questions, please contact Irene Censini by phone at 0484 259 453 or via email using the Subject line CEO Western Chances at

Your application will include your CV, as well as a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience align to this opportunity and why you are interested in joining Western Chances.

Applications close at midnight Friday 14 February 2025.

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