Chief Executive Officer

Applications close midnight Sunday 14th June 2026

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Overview

The Number One Sport in Queensland!

At Queensland Rugby League we are the Stewards and Champions of Rugby League in Queensland. Our purpose is to UNITE, EXCITE and INSPIRE people through lifelong engagement in Rugby League to ensure Rugby League is the Number One Sport in Queensland.

We are successful through living and modeling our Beliefs - We are Positive, We are United, We are Inclusive, We are Disciplined. Participation is for boys, girls and adults looking for a fun, safe way to start with a ball or whistle in hand or for those who simply want to get active by taking part in skills clinics, non-contact and modified games.

Pathways is for those really looking to test their skills on and off the field through an unrivaled network of elite school, junior representative, metropolitan, country and state competitions. Elite Clubs, Players and Competitions encompasses the Kangaroos, State of Origin, Telstra Premiership, Jillaroos, the Under 20s and the NSW and QLD Cups. The Rugby League Family encompasses the men, women and children who take to our field as members, who cheer, watch, listen and volunteer and those who invest in the game.

This is a field where everyone is welcome to join and where nobody need ever leave.

About the Role

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About the Role

Chief Executive Officer

Download Position Description

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for leading the Queensland Rugby League as the steward of rugby league in Queensland, delivering the organisation's strategy, performance and culture in line with the direction set by the Board. The CEO provides enterprise leadership across participation, pathways, competitions, commercial operations and organisational capability, ensuring the QRL operates with strong governance, ethical leadership, financial sustainability, integrity and public trust.

As the public-facing leader of the QRL, the CEO builds trusted relationships across the game, government, partners and the broader community to advance the long-term interests of rugby league in Queensland. The role is accountable for translating strategy into outcomes, leading organisational performance and culture, and ensuring the QRL responds effectively to opportunities, risks and changing sector expectations.

Operating within the authority delegated by the Board, the CEO is responsible for the effective management of the organisation consistent with Board-approved strategy, policy and governance frameworks, while balancing the long-term interests of the game with sustainable organisational performance and stakeholder confidence.

- Lead the execution of the Board-approved strategy and organisational priorities.
- Build and lead a high-performing and cohesive executive leadership team.
- Make impactful yet sound commercial decisions that support the overall direction of the QRL.
- Identify, assess and mitigate any risks that could have an adverse impact on the QRL.
- Ensure the QRL complies with legal and ethical obligations and industry standards.
- Continuously identify and drive transformative opportunities, ensuring the QRL adapts to industry changes, technological advancements, and local and global challenges.
- Ensure enterprise-wide alignment across people, performance, risk and operational delivery.
- Provide high-quality advice, reporting and support to the Board to enable effective governance and decision-making.
- Maintain effective governance, risk, integrity, safeguarding and compliance frameworks across the organisation.
- Ensure material issues are identified, escalated and managed appropriately.
- Ensure Board decisions and strategic priorities are effectively implemented across the organisation.
- Lead sound financial stewardship through effective planning, budgeting, forecasting and resource allocation.
- Strengthen long-term sustainability by growing and diversifying revenue through commercial, government and philanthropic sources, including the Maroons Foundation.
- Ensure the organisation's financial position supports strategic priorities and responsible investment in the game.
- Lead a values-driven, inclusive and high-performance culture aligned to the QRL's purpose and strategic objectives.
- Ensure leadership capability, workforce planning and organisational effectiveness support long-term sustainability.
- Promote collaboration and continuous improvement across all aspects of the QRL.
- Foster a culture of ethical leadership, accountability and integrity across the organisation.
- Ensure leadership succession and talent development supports organisational continuity and sustainability.
- Drive sustainable participation, pathway and competition outcomes across Queensland.
- Ensure organisational investment and design supports clubs, volunteers, participants and regional communities.
- Champion inclusive, safe and accessible participation opportunities across all levels of the game.
- Build trusted relationships across the rugby league community, government, partners, media and national stakeholders.
- Represent the QRL with credibility and influence, advocating for the long-term interests of the game in Queensland.
- Protect and strengthen the QRL's reputation through sound judgement, communication and leadership.
- Influence national policy, funding and strategic decisions in the interests of rugby league in Queensland.
- Position the QRL as a trusted and influential leader within the sporting, community and government sectors.
- Lead organisational responses to significant incidents, issues and public scrutiny with sound judgement and effective communication.

Key Responsibilities / Activities

Role Challenges

Navigating competing interests and priorities among various stakeholders, such as government bodies, industry associations, and internal groups.
Maintaining a longer-term focus where there are many short-term pressures.
Upholding decisions where there is not only internal scrutiny but also external public and media scrutiny.
Balancing community expectations with commercial sustainability.
Operating in a highly scrutinised sporting environment.

What you need for the role

- Tertiary qualifications in business, sport management, public administration, law, finance or another relevant discipline, or equivalent executive leadership experience.
- A strong understanding of the sport and community environment, and the ability to build credibility across rugby league stakeholders.
- Deep understanding of rugby league and its community-to-elite landscape in Queensland is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated success in a senior executive role leading a complex organisation.
- Proven ability to deliver strategy, organisational performance and cultural alignment in a member, community, commercial or public-facing environment.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue oversight, commercial judgement and resource allocation.
- Strong understanding of governance, risk, compliance and integrity requirements.
- Highly developed stakeholder engagement, political acumen and influencing capability, with the ability to navigate complex and sometimes competing interests across the Board, government, partners, members and the broader rugby league community.
- Demonstrated judgement to lead through complexity and manage sensitive, high-profile issues.
- Commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, cultural safety and workforce capability, with an appreciation of the impact sport has in communities across Queensland.
- Demonstrated transformation and change leadership, with the ability to lead organisational adaptation and continuous improvement in response to shifting strategic, operational and sector needs.
- Strong media and public communication capability, with the ability to represent the organisation credibly and respond effectively in high-profile and sensitive environments.
- Experience operating effectively in federated or member-based environments, with an understanding of how to balance local needs, stakeholder expectations and enterprise-wide priorities.
- Excited about uniting people and communities through a shared love of sport.
- Leads collaboratively and models behaviours aligned to the QRL's values and culture.
- Disciplined in maintaining the integrity of our workplace and rugby league in Queensland.
- Inclusive and accepting of people from all walks of life.

How to Apply

To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application for the assessment of your suitability:

A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on how you align with the core role responsibilities and accountabilities outlined in the role statement below.
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.

If you need assistance with your application please reach out to us.

Apply Now

Applications close midnight, Sunday 14th June 2026