Mercy Partners is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 2008 to sponsor Catholic ministries entrusted to their care by their founding Catholic religious congregations: the Sisters of Mercy of Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns. Since its foundation the Presentation Sisters in Queensland and the Missionary Franciscan Sisters in Brisbane, have entrusted ministries to Mercy Partners. Mercy Partners currently sponsor nine ministries across Queensland, in the fields of education, health, aged care and community welfare. Other ministries may be added to Mercy Partners in the future.
Mercy Partners is a public juridic person (PJP), which means it is recognised as a legal entity within the Catholic Church. ‘Sponsorship’ is the term used to describe the relationship between a public juridic person (such as Mercy Partners) and its incorporated ministries (as listed below). This means that Mercy Partners is responsible for protecting the ministry’s Catholic identity and the property which remains Church property at the service of the mission.
Mercy Partners currently sponsors nine ministries across Queensland, in the fields of education, health, aged care and community welfare. These ministries are:
- Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland Limited
- Mater Health Services North Queensland Limited
- Mater Misericordiae Limited
- Mercy Community Services North Queensland Limited
- All Hallows’ School Limited
- St Patrick’s College Townsville Limited
- St Rita’s College Limited
- St Ursula’s College Limited
- Mt Alvernia College Limited
Further Information
Detailed information about Mercy Partners is available on their website www.mercypartners.org.au
Position Overview
Position Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Reports to: Mercy Partners Council
Position Purpose
The CEO will lead and manage the day to day operations of Mercy Partners mission; the relationship between ministries and the Mercy Partners Council; and Mercy Partners resources, on behalf of and under the direction of Mercy Partners Council.
A key responsibility of this role will be to work with Council and ministries to develop the Statement of Expectations for each ministry and to review and monitor its implementation.
A more detailed position outline will be provided later in this process.
Initial Priorities and Identified Challenges
The initial priorities for the new CEO will be:
- In Consultation with the Council and Ministries develop a Statement of Expectations for each ministry;
- Oversee the preparations for a gathering of the leadership of Mercy Partners Ministries in July;
- Oversee the transition to a new electronic management system for Mercy Partners Office
Among the challenges facing the new CEO will be:
- Getting to know the ministries entrusted to Mercy Partners
- Being ready to assist new ministries to transition to Mercy Partners
- Developing a sense of ‘team’ within the office as it transitions from the Executive Officer position to this newly created CEO role
Key Relationships
Constructive relationships are required between the CEO and:
- Mercy Partners Council, its Committees and in particular the Chair of Mercy Partners Council
- Mercy Partners Ministries, and in particular Chairs, Executive and key staff
- Mercy Partners Office staff, the Director of Formation and Company Secretary (with these two roles also reporting directly to the Mercy Partners Council)
- Key Church and community leaders
Reason for Vacancy
As additional ministries have joined Mercy Partners and its work has become more complex, the Mercy Partners Council identified the need for this newly created position.
Commencement
The commencement date is negotiable however ideally this will be by late April/early May.
Location and Travel
The Mercy Partners office is located at Level 2 McAuley Building, 131 Queens Road, Nudgee Qld. (Just 10 minutes drive from Brisbane Airport.)
The nature of this senior position will require travel within Queensland, and at times interstate, with flexible hours anticipated.
Conditions of Employment
- The remuneration and conditions of employment package will be negotiated with the successful applicant
- The initial contract term of the appointment will be 5 years with consideration given to an additional 5 years, subject to a broad-based appraisal in final year of the initial contract.
- There is an annual appraisal process
- The successful applicant will demonstrate they fulfil professional standards requirements prior to appointment
- Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
- Applicants will require a current “C” Class Drivers Licence to fulfil the requirements of the role.
Selection Criteria
We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following expectations:
- The ability to lead a faith-based organisation in the Catholic tradition, ensuring alignment between mission, values and practices;
- Leadership experience in a faith-based setting, with social justice being an expression of the mission of the gospel;
- This leadership experience will encompass exposure to functions such as finance, HR, legal and IT;
- A support and service focus with highly developed interpersonal, advocacy and communication skills combined with the desire and capacity to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders and partners;
- Relevant formal qualifications combined with a history of ongoing personal and professional learning.
People with leadership experience in a Catholic organisation or agency, within sectors such as health, education, aged care or community services, are encouraged to explore the opportunity provided by this newly created role.
Are You Interested in this Opportunity?
If you are interested in this role, then simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest and nominating ref number TS1371. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.
At this stage we do NOT ask you to address the selection criteria or provide an application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Mercy Partners CEO TS1371’ ; and providing your brief resume and contact telephone number.
Any questions can be directed to either (a) our Director John Chesher by telephone (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via jobs@traksearch.com.
The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.
The Selection Process
Key dates are as follows:
| Date of project launch/advertising | Fri 2nd/Sat 3rd February |
| Trak Search discussions commence | From Mon 12th Feb. |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Wed 21st Feb. |
| Initial reference checks by Trak Search | From week commencing Mon 26th Feb. |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 12th March |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 19th or 26th March |
| Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
| Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:
- Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in the role
- A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process
- At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy document to address the selection criteria; or supply referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process
- A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule. Please be aware however that any application received after close of business on the date noted above is more likely to be returned to you
- At the appropriate time (refer above) we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent
- We expect to contact one work-related referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process. You should always expect that prior to reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant period of time
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Mercy Partners Chair or nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.
