Expression of Interest
General Secretary – Uniting Church in Western Australia
The Uniting Church in Western Australia invites Expressions of Interest for the position of General Secretary.
The Expression of Interest process is conducted in accordance Synod By-laws where the nominating committee, overseen by the Synod Standing Committee, will discern the appropriate candidate to put forward for decision at the WA Synod meeting in September 2026, prior to their appointment.
About the Role
The General Secretary serves as the Secretary of the Synod and Chief Executive Officer of the Uniting Church in Western Australia, providing executive, pastoral, and advisory leadership across the life of the Church.
Accountable to the Synod through the Synod Standing Committee, the role carries responsibility for the implementation of Synod strategy, policy, and governance through staff, councils, boards, and committees.
Key dimensions of the role include:
- Executive leadership and organisational management of Synod staff and operations
- Strategic partnership with the Moderator in shaping the Church’s direction and mission
- Oversight of financial sustainability and resource stewardship, including budgets, investments, and long-term capacity for mission
- Governance, compliance, and risk management across areas such as WHS, Safe Church, property, and legal obligations
- Relational leadership across the conciliar life of the Church, working with Presbytery, congregations, agencies, and national bodies
- Leadership of major change processes, including the Synod’s response to Act2 (https://act2uca.com/) and emerging structures of the Uniting Church
- Pastoral and advisory support to ministers, congregations, and councils
The role requires a situational leader able to integrate mission, governance, and organisational leadership in a complex and evolving environment.
Key Attributes and Capabilities
Candidates are invited who demonstrate the following core competencies:
Leadership and Governance
- Proven organisational leadership with the ability to build a collaborative, accountable, mission-focused culture
- Strong understanding of governance and Church polity, including the application of regulations within a conciliar framework
- Capability in strategic leadership and execution, including leading organisational change
Relationships and Collaboration
- Ability to build and sustain relationships and partnerships across the Church
- Demonstrated collaboration and consensus-building in complex environments
Stewardship and Operational Excellence
- Demonstrated capability in financial oversight and sustainability
- Experience in risk management, compliance, and legal awareness, including WHS and governance requirements
- Ability to lead effectively in resource-constrained environments, recognising the predominantly volunteer-based nature of the Church and leveraging staff, volunteers, and partnerships to achieve outcomes
Personal and Relational Leadership
- Demonstrated integrity, humility, and self-awareness
- Strong situational awareness, with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances
- Capacity for pastoral care and relational leadership across diverse communities
Mission and Church Context
- Ability to embody Uniting Church ethos in organisational leadership and decision-making
- Awareness of social justice priorities and intercultural engagement, including First Nations relationships
Qualifications and Experience
Mandatory (Essential)
Candidates must be able to demonstrate:
- Senior leadership experience, with responsibility for organisational performance, people, and delivery of strategic objectives
- Demonstrated capability in governance environments, including working with boards, councils, or equivalent decision-making bodies
- Demonstrated understanding of the polity, governance, and ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia
- Familiarity with, or experience in, the Uniting Church in Australia, including its governance and regulatory frameworks
- Demonstrated experience in financial stewardship, including oversight of budgets, reporting, and organisational sustainability
- Proven capability in risk management and compliance, including understanding of legal and regulatory obligations
- Strong people leadership experience, including leading staff, teams, or ministry agents in complex environments
- Demonstrated ability to lead organisational change and strategic execution
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, including working across diverse groups and building collaborative outcomes
Desirable
The Nominating Committee will give favourable consideration to candidates who can demonstrate:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications, such as business, management, leadership, governance, law, theology, or a related discipline
- Significant experience in a church, not-for-profit, or mission-driven organisation, particularly within a conciliar or multi-layered structure
- Experience overseeing complex organisational functions, such as property, operations, or multi-entity environments
- Experience working with or alongside agencies, schools, or related organisational entities
- Demonstrated experience in intercultural engagement, including work with First Nations communities
- Experience in public communication and stakeholder engagement at a senior level
Equivalent combinations of experience and qualifications will be considered.
Eligibility
- Candidates may be ordained or non-ordained (lay)
- There is a preference for candidates to be a confirmed member of the Uniting Church in Australia and have personal Christian Faith.
- Candidates must commit to work within the polity and ethos of the Uniting Church
- Candidates must have a willingness to participate in the life of the Uniting Church
- The position is based in Perth, Western Australia. Candidates must either reside in, or be willing to relocate to, Perth. Relocation assistance may be negotiated with the successful candidate.
Term and Renumeration
- The initial term for this role is 2 years, with the option for the Synod Standing Committee to extend the term.
- Renumeration will be negotiated with the successful candidate
Expression of Interest and Selection Process
Expressions of Interest are sought from individuals interested in this role.
The process will include:
- Expression of Interest submission, where candidates are asked to submit a cover letter (max 3 pages) outlining their suitability to the role, along with their Resume
- Closing date for Expressions of Interest: Friday 26 June 2026
- Assessment and discernment by the Nominating Committee, including interviews of short-listed candidates
- Nominating Committee will bring forward one candidate to the WA Synod meeting in September 2026 for decision
Enquiries and Submissions
Confidential enquiries and Expressions of Interest may be directed to:
Rev David Jackson, Moderator, Uniting Church in Western Australia
[email protected] (08) 9260 9800