• Highly respected, international Catholic charity
• Attractive remuneration package
• Full-time role and based in Penrith initially

 About Us

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is an international Catholic charity dedicated to supporting suffering Christians wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need. Founded in Germany in 1947 to support war refugees, ACN is now the only international Catholic organisation focused exclusively on the pastoral and spiritual care of suffering Christians.

Supported by more than 350,000 benefactors worldwide, ACN raises over $250 million each year to fund more than 5,500 projects across 140 countries. Established in Australia in 1965, ACN Australia is one of 24 national offices, working to raise awareness, encourage prayer and provide financial support for the suffering Church while connecting Australian Catholics with the witness, needs and realities of persecuted Christians around the world.

About the Role

Reporting to the National Board of Trustees through the National President, the National Director is the principal representative of ACN Australia and New Zealand, and has the responsibility to provide strategic, operational and mission leadership to advance the organisation’s work.

As National Director, you will provide leadership in advancing ACN’s mission and vision by promoting it as a movement of faith and renewal within the Church that fulfills its mission as a Catholic, pastoral charity.  You will enhance and develop ways to strengthen and renew ACN’s brand and reputation in Australia and New Zealand, and seek to optimise and grow revenue and donations to ensure ACN is positioned for long term sustainability in service of its mission.

The work of ACN is underpinned by a dedicated team of professionals, and so you will lead and work together to raise awareness and financial support for the suffering Church, and increase revenue through innovation and tenacity while optimising efficiency and productivity of the organisation and its resources.

As the public voice of ACN, you will engage with bishops, clergy, benefactors, media, Christian organisations and the wider community to increase awareness of the suffering Church and promote key advocacy and awareness. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, ACN International and Church leadership, you will also ensure the faithful stewardship, long-term sustainability and growth of the organisation in accordance with the mission and statutes of the Pontifical Foundation.

The role is a full-time role and currently based in Penrith. The National Director will be required early in their tenure to look at relocating the current office closer to a new central Sydney location. Some interstate and international travel will be required.

About You

We are seeking interest from suitably qualified candidates who would like to be part of ACN’s ongoing story and who have desire to advance its mission. Ideally, we are interested in people who meet the following Key Requirements:

• An active Catholic with a strong understanding of and commitment to the teachings, ethos, values and mission of the Catholic Church.
• Significant senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated fundraising leadership and revenue growth experience.
• Demonstrated outcomes of enhancing of organisational efficiency and productivity.
• Demonstrated experience in organisational leadership, strategy and team development.
• Experience working with boards and within governance structures.
• Strong financial management and budget oversight experience.
• Demonstrated capacity to represent an organisation publicly with credibility, conviction and pastoral sensitivity.
• Understanding of religious freedom, Christian persecution and the global challenges facing the Church.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement across ecclesial, media and advocacy environments.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in leadership, management, business or related disciplines.

Enquiries and Application Process

For a confidential discussion about this position and to obtain a copy of the Information Pack please contact Anthony Spata at Reach HR on 0402 210 055 or [email protected]

Applications should be sent directly to [email protected] and must include a resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should outline your suitability for the role, in particular, how you meet each of the Key Requirements outlined above.

Applications close 14 August 2026.

As this is a full-time role, only candidates with the unrestricted right to work in Australia will be considered.

Preferred candidates must have a Working With Children Check clearance and National Police Check clearance prior to employment.