Victoria Cross winner tipped to land top Seven job

SUNSHINE Coast-based Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith is reportedly set to take the top job at Channel 7 in Queensland.

Ben Roberts-Smith. Picture: THERON KIRKMAN

SUNSHINE Coast-based Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith is reportedly set to take the top job at Channel 7 in Queensland.

Mr Roberts-Smith was first appointed the Maroochydore-based general manager of the network's regional service, Seven Queensland.

Last April, Roberts-Smith was appointed deputy general manager of Seven Queensland with responsibility for all aspects of the network, including sales, production and marketing.

The Courier-Mail reported that a network source claimed the ink was all but dry on the deal for Mr Roberts-Smith to take over as Seven Brisbane's managing director.

Mr Roberts-Smith lives near Buderim with his wife Emma and their twin daughters Eve and Elizabeth.

"We've got a few acres on top of the ridgeline which is ... a beautiful part of the world," he previously told the Sunshine Coast Daily.

"To be able to sit up there, you are so close to the country and yet 10 minutes from the beach.

"Everything's here and that's something that I think my wife and I didn't recognise until we moved here.

"There is such a great community feel, no matter where you go ... it's just easy."

Victoria Cross recipient, Ben Roberts-Smith is enjoying life settling on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods

Mr Robert-Smith landed the Seven job after doing some consultancy work for Kerry Stokes' heavy machinery company WesTrac.

From that, he received further consultancy work with Seven West Media, which put him in contact with Seven boss Neil Mooney.

"Neil actually was the one who offered me the job," he said.

Mr Roberts-Smith retired from his Special Air Service Regiment army role in 2013, having been awarded the Victoria Cross medal for action in Afghanistan in 2010.

His career had taken him around the world but had taken a toll on those close to him.

Ben Roberts-Smith pictured at Gallipoli in a scene from Sunday Night: The Power of 10. . Picture: Channel 7

"My family has suffered through nearly 20 years of living where they had to, not where they'd like to, and that's simply because of my old job," he told the Daily.

"We (soldiers) get a lot of praise for sacrificing, but they (family) sacrifice.

"I can't tell what the future is going to be but we are certainly really happy here and I'd like to have some time to stay here rather than have to move again."

Mr Roberts-Smith recently studied at the University of Queensland, completing his Master of Business Administration.

Originally published as Victoria Cross winner tipped to land top Seven job