Butterfly Foundation

Founded in 2002 by Claire Middleton, a mother of two daughters who had suffered from anorexia nervosa, Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them.

Client:  Butterfly Foundation

Service:  Executive Search and Permanent Recruitment

Role:  Pacific Programme Director

Placement:   13

Butterfly Foundation and NGO Recruitment

In 2018, NGO Recruitment partnered with Butterfly Foundation to search for a new CEO to take the organisation to the next level. The successful placement of Kevin Barrow by Richard Green, Director, NGO Recruitment, in early 2019 marked the beginning of a strong recruitment partnership between the two organisations.


NGO Recruitment has since been instrumental in sourcing key lead roles for Butterfly Foundation including Head of Finance, Head of Communications and Marketing, and Clinical Director, based in Sydney; Manager Research and Knowledge and Philanthropy Manager, based in Melbourne; and the Residential Clinical Director and Project Manager for the Foundation’s new residential treatment facility on Queensland’s

Sunshine Coast, the first of its kind to be built in Australia.


Due to the unique nature of this facility, NGO Recruitment conducted national and international searches including potential candidates in the US and the UK who had experience in a model of care new to Australian practice. After an extensive search, Dr Zach de Beer, who had worked in similar eating disorder treatment facilities in the UK, was appointed as the Residential Clinical Director.


With highly-experienced, senior consultants based in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, NGO Recruitment was able to offer a truly national team dedicated to working together to achieve the best 

possible recruitment outcomes. NGO Recruitment continues to partner with Butterfly Foundation and has recently sourced a new Care Navigator and Outreach Coordinator for Butterfly’s Sunshine Coast Eating Disorders Access Trial.

Roles Recruited

Chief Executive Officer

Head of Communications & Engagement

Head of Operations

Head of Finance & Administration

National Clinical Director

Residential Clinical Director endED Butterfly House

Project Manager endED Butterfly House Operations Establishment

National Philanthropy Manager

Manager Knowledge Research & Policy

Lived Experience Lead

Care Navigator & Outreach Coordinator

Human Resource Coordinator

Data Administrator

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