General Manager Community

Energy Consumers Australia is the independent national voice for residential and small business energy consumers. We sit at the intersection of policy, research, and advocacy — and the consumer and community sector is our lifeblood. That's where you come in.
We're recruiting a General Manager Community to lead our community partnerships, run our grants program, and serve as the primary point of connection between ECA and the 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. You'll 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.
You'll work closely with the CEO and across all of ECA's divisions — bridging the gap between what we know and what the community can do with it. And you'll lead a small, capable team of two.

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 and public affairs teams to develop community engagement strategies that amplify our 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 You

You're a genuine connector with deep roots in the consumer advocacy, community sector, or a closely related field. You might come from:

• 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

You bring proactive energy to relationship-building, know how to create urgency and excitement in the organisations you work with, and hold yourself to a high delivery standard. Energy sector experience is valuable but not essential — your 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 — able to unite diverse organisations around shared goals
• Proactive and energetic, with the ability to create momentum and excitement
• Organised and delivery-focused — you follow through and hold yourself accountable
• 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 accesses and affords energy. The consumer and community sector is ECA's most important connection to the people most affected by those changes — and this role is the keeper of that connection.
Join an organisation with genuine influence, a clear mission, and a team that cares deeply about getting it right. Help ECA build an energy system that works for everyone.

How to Apply

Download a comprehensive briefing pack from the link on the right. Applications can be uploaded through this webpage or direclty to michael@searchlightgroup.com.au.
Searchlight Group is managing this appointment. For a confidential discussion, contact Michael Holdway on 0400 006 513.

Applications close: Friday 10th April 2026

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

Closing Date: April 10, 2026