The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance (NMHCA) is Australia’s national voice for people with lived experience of mental health challenges. NMHCA works to centre lived experience in mental health and suicide prevention reform, influencing policy, practice and systems change at a national level.
NMHCA is establishing the Australian Association of Peer Workers (AAPW) - a new national membership body dedicated to strengthening, supporting and advocating for the mental health and suicide prevention peer workforce across Australia.
NMHCA is now seeking an inaugural General Manager to establish and lead the Association from inception through to independence.
The Role
Reporting to the CEO of NMHCA, the General Manager will provide strategic, operational and people leadership to establish the Australian Association of Peer Workers as a credible, influential and sustainable national peak body.
This is a rare, greenfield opportunity to build an organisation from the ground up - shaping its strategy, culture, governance and national profile.
Working closely with NMHCA’s CEO and Board, the General Manager will recruit and lead a small, highโperforming team of peer workers, deliver significant grantโfunded outcomes, grow a national membership base, and represent the peer workforce at the highest levels of government and the sector.
As the Association matures, the role is expected to transition into the Chief Executive Officer of the independent organisation.
The role is national in scope and operates as a remote / virtual workplace .
Designated Lived Experience Role
We are seeking someone who brings personal/consumer lived experience of mental health challenges, and who has drawn on that experience in a meaningful way to support others, lead change, and influence systems. We define consumer lived experience as mental health challenges that have caused life as we knew it to change so significantly we have had to reimagine and redefine ourselves, our place in the world and our future plans.
This requirement is a genuine occupational requirement under relevant anti-discrimination legislation across Australia, including section 66(s)(c) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA).
Beaumont People uses a traumaโinformed recruitment approach. Applicants will not be asked to disclose personal details of their experiences. A simple selfโdeclaration will be used to confirm eligibility, with optional opportunities to reflect on how lived experience informs leadership practice.
Candidate Profile
NMHCA is looking to appoint a strategic, collaborative and valuesโled leader who brings both senior leadership experience and lived experience insight. The ideal candidate will bring:
- Personal lived experience as a mental health consumer
- Significant experience in senior leadership roles (e.g. CEO, GM, Director or similar)
- Strong people leadership skills and experience building healthy, inclusive team cultures
- Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders, government and sector leaders
- An understanding of peer work values, recoveryโoriented and traumaโinformed practice
- Comfort working in ambiguity and startโup environments
The Opportunity
This role offers the opportunity to shape a new national organisation at a critical moment for Australia’s peer workforce.
The package includes a competitive salary (with access to salary packaging benefits), flexible working arrangements, gifted leave between Christmas and New Year, the option to purchase additional annual leave, and access to an Employee Assistance Program. The successful candidate will also receive a complimentary place in Beaumont People’s LEAD Mentoring Program.
How to Apply
To request a Candidate Briefing Document or for a confidential conversation, please contact Alma Raheem (alma.raheem@beaumontpeople.com.au) and Robyn Riddle (robyn.riddle@beaumontpeople.com.au) at Beaumont People.
To apply, please submit your Resume and Expression of Interest & Consumer Lived Experience SelfโDeclaration - NMHCA – Fill in form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8dEmYAA6_kK_8l2j6Wn9xZOPjFCm2sJLnQ2SHADVD85UQTdDTTFKMlk2VEFNWlk5QzlVTVNZM09LOS4u
Applications close 5 PM AEST 29 May 2026.
At Beaumont People, we are committed to creating a recruitment experience where people feel welcomed, respected, and supported. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences, and we focus on what people can bring, not where they come from or how their journey has unfolded.
We are especially mindful of the barriers faced by people from marginalised or underrepresented communities and are intentional about creating fair, accessible, and inclusive processes that support genuine participation.
We encourage open conversations about support needs. If adjustments or accommodations would help you engage fully in the application or assessment process, we are very happy to discuss what might be helpful.
Beaumont People has been engaged to conduct the search and appointment of the General Manager. All applications will be managed through Beaumont People.
