Head of Rural Horizons

• Opportunity to work at the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), the only national foundation specifically focussed on ensuring the social and economic strength of Australia’s remote, rural and regional communities.
• A unique opportunity to shape FRRR’s place-based strategy and programs, empowering rural and remote communities to lead change, influence systems and create lasting impact across Australia’s diverse regional, rural and remote landscapes.
• Full time (1.0) position.
• Remote/hybrid location - due to regular travel requirements of the role, we require the individual to be located within a 2 hour drive commuting distance to Melbourne (Naarm) or Sydney (Warrane).
• $129,00 - $134,000 (FTE) per annum excluding superannuation.

Role summary

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Head of Rural Horizons leads FRRR’s portfolio of initiatives that partner with rural and remote communities to shape and co-create solutions to shared challenges, through granting, place-based programs, and sector collaborations. This role provides strategic leadership and oversight while remaining deeply engaged in the work - testing new and emerging models with rural and remote communities to support momentum and collective shifts in rural prosperity, collaborating with peers across sectors to strengthen investment and opportunities for rural and remote settings, and embedding learning back into FRRR’s programs and practice.

The role will serve as a connector and translator of insights across philanthropy, government, and community, while also guiding and supporting a talented team of Program Managers, Coordinators, and support staff to deliver initiatives that are catalysing significant change in the way that rural and remote communities are tackling challenges and opportunities.

In collaboration with the executive leadership group, this role will uphold the organisation's values and culture, lead a high performing and culturally aligned team, and successfully execute relevant initiatives in the 2026-2028 strategic plan and beyond.

Who you are (selection criteria)

• You hold tertiary qualifications in community development, philanthropy or related fields, and ideally have first-hand experience working with rural, regional, or remote communities, with a deep appreciation for place-based approaches.
• You are a strategic and driven leader, who possesses a systems-thinking mindset and is comfortable navigating ambiguity, testing new models, and translating insights into practice that strengthens both communities and organisations.
• You are passionate about working with and empowering young people as changemakers, with experience designing or supporting initiatives that amplify youth leadership, voice, and participation in shaping the future of rural and remote communities.
• You demonstrate strong cultural competence and a deep respect for First Nations peoples, with experience working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in ways that are collaborative and strengths-based.
• You have deep experience in building the capacity of not-for-profit and community organisations, applying a place-based lens to strengthen local leadership, systems, and sustainability so communities are equipped to design and drive their own solutions.
• You are a connector and translator across philanthropy, government, and community sectors, skilled at bringing diverse perspectives together to identify shared priorities and bring collective action.
• You are confident in representing your organisation in strategic forums and collaborations, advocating for the vital role of community organisations in enabling rural and remote resilience and leadership.
• You bring exceptional stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, fostering strong, trust-based relationships with key partners and stakeholders to lead collaborative programs and partnerships that deliver meaningful, lasting impact across rural and remote communities.
• You are a collaborative and empowering people leader who invests in capability and culture, building teams that are accountable, connected, and driven by purpose.

Research indicates that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalised individuals often wait until they fulfil every requirement. If you believe you have the attributes to do the job but don't match every point on the job ad, we welcome and encourage your application.

Key responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership for the Rural Horizons portfolio, working closely with the CEO to ensure alignment with FRRR’s overall strategy and priorities.
• Lead exploration and testing of new models of community-led and next gen-focused engagement, both in Australia and more broadly.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing Rural Horizons team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and shared success.
• Work with FRRR colleagues to integrate new approaches into our grant making and capacity-building programs.

Please see the Head of Rural Horizons position description for more.

Who we are

FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) supports remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia to be vibrant, resilient, and sustainable. We work alongside communities to catalyse locally led solutions, especially in areas facing systemic challenges.

We are strategically focussed on supporting impact across five cross-cutting themes:

• Next generation transition
• Outback and very remote communities
• Climate solutions
• Disaster Resilience
• First Nations self-determination

Our core values centre around collaboration and constant improvement. We have created a dynamic, flexible, and supportive work environment. FRRR is an Equal Opportunity employer.

Our 2026 - 2028 Strategic Plan

FRRR has launched its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan: A Catalytic FRRR for the Next Generation of Rural and Remote Australia. At the heart of this new and ambitious strategy, is the recognition that rural and remote communities are vital to Australia’s identity, wellbeing and future, yet the systems that shape access to funding, services, infrastructure and decision-making are largely designed for metropolitan and regional centres. This creates persistent barriers to inclusion, investment and voice.

Despite these challenges, rural and remote communities continue to demonstrate resilience, creativity and care. FRRR exists to bridge this systemic gap. We connect resources, build enduring local skills and knowledge, and reshape how rural and remote Australia is seen, valued and supported. We listen to aspirations, attract and direct targeted investment, facilitate capacity and community-building infrastructure, and advocate for stronger dialogue between communities, government and metro Australia.

Our approach is grounded in community-led development, collaboration and a deep understanding of complexity and system change. This works because we:

• work in a place-based way that embraces the diversity of communities;
• partner with First Nations people and communities;
• support young people and the next generation; and 
• we engage strategically with the challenges of climate change and disaster resilience.

These themes underpin our five strategic pillars:

• Strengthen support where FRRR makes the biggest difference
• Influence change for better rural futures
• Smarter use of funding and capital to drive change
• Leverage systems and technology to improve our impact
• Make rural insight and FRRR’s impact visible and powerful

Delivering on this strategy requires a team that will not only support the plan but elevate it; bringing energy, expertise and experience to ensure FRRR achieves catalytic, enduring impact for the next generation of rural and remote Australia.

What we offer

• Flexible hours and the option to work hybrid or fully remote, supporting balance and wellbeing.
• Ongoing professional development, including an annual staff conference hosted in regional Australia to connect, learn, and grow together.
• A culture of growth and innovation, where new ideas are welcomed, and your contribution makes a tangible difference.
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly skilled, values-driven, and committed team.
• The chance to be part of a nationally reputable organisation making real, lasting impact in rural, regional, and remote communities.
• Access to confidential support and counselling through our Employee Assistance Program.
• For those working from our Bendigo CBD office, we’re located just two minutes from the train station, with end-of-trip amenities for your convenience.
• Above all, the opportunity to be part of something bigger – shaping the future of rural and remote Australia.

Additional adjustments

We are committed to providing an inclusive experience to all candidates. If you have a disability, condition, illness or access requirements, please let us know how we can best support you throughout your recruitment experience. 

We recognise that each individual’s needs are different. Some examples of adjustments we can provide include (but are not limited to):

• Alternative formats or ways to submit your application (verbal or video)
• Flexible communication methods
• Additional time to complete tasks, assessments or pre-interview work
• Support from a support person or advocate during interviews
• Modifications to the interview structure, environment or timing

If you require additional adjustments, or would like to discuss any access needs as a part of the application and recruitment process, please contact us via email [email protected] 

Our candidate experience

We aim to be transparent and kind to all of our candidates. We value your time, and as such want to share how we do things so you know what to expect with no nasty surprises. For more information on our end-to-end candidate experience, please visit the SHE HR Consulting website.

How to apply

To express your interest, submit an online application through our application portal and include a professional resume. All applicants must also provide brief responses to the application questions that are included as part of the online application.

Note: we do not accept cover letters as part of our application process.

We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in and progressing conversations with candidates throughout the process, so we highly encourage you to apply early if this role is for you. Applications will close at 11:59pm on Sunday December 7. All applicants will receive an update on the outcome of their application, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.

FRRR is an equal opportunity employer and strives to maintain a workplace environment that is fair and free of discrimination, is safe and accessible for all employees, and provides working arrangements that accommodate the diverse needs of our staff. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally- and linguistically-diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people and people of every ethnicity, faith, ability, culture, language, gender identity, age, and sex.

Employment in this position is conditional upon reception and maintenance of reference checks as part of pre-employment screening, and a Working With Children Check (or state equivalent).

As part of our employment screening process, we do run police checks. But don’t worry—having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you.