Global hunt begins for Experience Gold Coast CEO

The global hunt is on for one of the most important roles in the the Gold Coast - with a $500,000 salary on offer. Find out how to apply and the qualities being looked for.

City Hall has launched an international search for a CEO to lead the new super-entity called Experience Gold Coast.

The appointment of the CEO – potentially on $500,000 a year – is the hottest decision on the Gold Coast City Council agenda post-budget, sparking speculation about candidates.

In February, council resolved to amalgamate the functions currently delivered by HOTA, Destination Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast, Study Gold Coast and Placemakers under the banner of Experience Gold Coast.

And now the recruitment process has shown council’s desire for candidates with considerable experience.

Council is looking further afield than just local identities or potential marketing and media personalities on the Australian market.

The global hunt for the Experience Gold Coast CEO is looking for a “visionary who will not only inspire a high-performing team but will also place the Gold Coast on the world stage in a way it never has before”.

Also potential conflicts of interest and personality clashes at the top end of town have been sidestepped by hiring consultants to determine candidates.

Charged with establishing the Gold Coast as a premier destination for tourism, events, arts and education, the preferred candidate must successfully merge the five separate controlled and funded entities into one cohesive team.

CEO Tim Baker said getting the right person for the position was critical to the success of the new body.

He said he was excited to see who international recruiter Chandler Macleod might uncover in its search.

“The council merged these entities with a very careful and deliberate plan – one team heading in one direction to leverage every opportunity for the city,” Mr Baker said.

City of Gold Coast CEO Tim Baker says the Experience Gold Coast CEO will be “someone who will bring bold new thinking and challenges to the way the Gold Coast traditionally does business”. Picture: Celeste Humphrey

“We need a visionary who will not only inspire a high-performing team but will also place the Gold Coast on the world stage in a way it never has before.

“Someone who will bring bold new thinking and challenges to the way the Gold Coast traditionally does business.

“We expect it to be a highly competitive process with applications from across Australia, Asia Pacific and the world.”

Mr Baker said the new CEO would be energetic, dynamic and have a proven track record as an executive leader, with an intimate understanding of the visitor economy.

Council expects the Experience Gold Coast merger will lead to $6.8 million in direct savings annually, to be reinvested back into the entity for tourism, events, arts and education programs.

A $1.5 million community fund will also be created to support arts and cultural programming in the city.

Recruitment is also underway for Experience Gold Coast’s Board of Directors. Once the Board is appointed, it will complete the recruitment process for the CEO.

The new board will be paid a combined $200,000 a year along with expenses but faces a tough brief to deliver improved tourism and investment.

Gold Coast City Council – through a private Brisbane employment specialist – has gone to the market to secure eight board members and a chair for Experience Gold Coast.

An information brief drafted by consultants shows directors are to get an annual salary of $20,000 and the chair paid $40,000 along with “reasonable expenses”.

They must attend about 10 meetings a year – some for half a day others for the entire day.

But the skill requirements and key performance indicators are high – and one of the board’s first roles is critical and involves the appointment of the CEO.

The board search is being run by independent Brisbane-based company Directors Australia rather than in-house by the council.

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