Energy Consumers Australia is the independent national voice for residential and small business energy consumers. ECA sits at the intersection of policy, research, and advocacy — and the consumer and community sector is central to everything it does.

ECA is recruiting a General Manager Community to lead its community partnerships, oversee its grants program, and connect ECA’s policy and advocacy work with the civil society and organisations that represent households and small businesses across Australia. 

This is a role for someone who creates momentum — who knows how to bring organisations together around a shared agenda and make things happen.

The Opportunity

This is ECA’s most relationship-intensive senior role. The General Manager Community will coordinate coalitions of consumer and community organisations, translate ECA’s research and policy work into community engagement strategies that land, and steward a grants program that funds the sector’s most important consumer voices and impactful researchers.

The role works closely with the CEO and across all of ECA’s divisions — bridging what ECA knows and what the community can do with it practically. The successful candidate will lead a small, very capable team.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and coordinate coalitions of consumer, community, and advocacy organisations to advance ECA’s agenda
• Lead ECA’s grants program — strategic direction, governance, and relationship management with funded organisations
• Serve as ECA’s primary interface with the consumer and community sector across Australia
• Work across ECA’s research, advocacy and public affairs teams to develop community engagement strategies that amplify its impact
• Proactively identify and engage stakeholder groups whose voices matter to ECA’s mission
• Represent ECA at forums, events, and in government and sector relationships

About the Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a genuine connector with deep roots in the consumer advocacy, community sector, or a closely related field. Relevant backgrounds may include:

• A consumer advocacy organisation or community sector peak body
• A grants management or philanthropic organisation with NFP sector relationships
• An energy, environment, or climate NGO with coalition-building experience
• A government community engagement or policy role with a consumer focus

The successful candidate will bring proactive energy to relationship-building, know how to create urgency and excitement in the organisations they work with, and hold themselves to a high delivery standard. Energy sector experience is valuable but not essential — the ability to quickly understand the landscape and build trust with diverse stakeholders matters most.

Personal Attributes

• Genuine passion for consumer advocacy and the communities ECA serves
• A natural coalition-builder with political nous — able to unite diverse organisations around shared goals
• Proactive and energetic, with the ability to create momentum and excitement
• Organised and delivery-focused, with a strong track record of following through
• Collaborative and collegial, with a leadership style that brings out the best in others
• Comfortable translating complex policy or research into accessible community narratives

Why This Matters

The energy transition will reshape how every Australian household and small business can access and afford energy. The consumer and community sector is ECA’s most important connection to the people most affected by those changes — and this role is crucial in building that connection.

This is an opportunity to join an organisation with genuine influence, a clear mission, and a team that cares deeply about getting it right — and to help build an energy system that works for everyone.

How to Apply

Before applying, download an Information Pack by entering your details below and pressing the 'Submit' button. Please note that the pack will load into your browser for you to download. After reading the Information Pack, contact Michael Holdway, Searchlight Group with any further questions on 0400 006 513 or email michael@searchlightgroup.com.au. All third party and unsolicited CV’s will be referred to Searchlight Group. 

Applications close at midnight on Friday 10th April 2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Energy Consumers Australia is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

For more information about ECA: https://energyconsumersaustralia.com.au/