The Conservation Council of Western Australia

The Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA) has been a prominent voice for environmental protection in Western Australia for over 50 years. With around 100 member organisations, CCWA campaigns on a wide range of issues, from protecting local biodiversity to ending the era of fossil fuels. Their work spans direct conservation projects, environmental advocacy, citizen science promotion, and political lobbying, establishing CCWA as a leading forum for environmental action across the state.

Client:  The Conservation Council of Western Australia

Service:  Exclusive Executive Search

Role:  Executive Director

Placement:  2023

Challenge

In 2023 CCWA faced a pivotal moment. Feedback from numerous member groups indicated growing concern that the organisation’s focus had narrowed primarily towards climate change at the expense of core nature conservation issues, like biodiversity protection, wetlands and forest management​.


Additionally, there were calls for stronger consultation with member groups, improved governance, enhanced transparency, and more collaborative internal leadership.


NGO Recruitment was engaged to search for a new Executive Director who could refocus the organisation’s efforts towards a broader conservation agenda, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and lead CCWA’s strategic direction ensuring a consultative, transparent culture.

Solution

NGO Recruitment studied the feedback from CCWA’s members and developed a role description that emphasised a leader with strong emotional intelligence, high-impact advocacy skills, strategic and operational leadership experience, and a commitment to biodiversity and nature protection in WA​.


As predicted by NGO Recruitment, candidates with this combination of skill sets, competencies and cultural alignment were going to be scarce. The search and outreach process attracted 72 applicants, with a short list of three highly-qualified candidates.


The prioritised candidates were those who demonstrated collaborative management style, strong stakeholder engagement experience, and a proven record of representing environmental organisations in WA.


The successful candidate, Jess Beckerling, had a deep understanding of Western Australia’s unique biodiversity challenges, and embodied the collaborative, transparent, and values-driven leadership style.

Results

NGO Recruitment's search and outreach process attracted 72 applicants

We shortlisted three highly-qualified candidates who were invited to client interviews

The successful candidate with all required qualifications and experience got the job offer

This appointment strengthened CCWA’s focus on biodiversity and broader environmental issues

< Previous article

Next article >

More Case Studies

Yellow daffodils in full bloom against a blue sky with clouds.

Cancer Council Victoria

By Shazamme System User • January 9, 2026
Cancer Council Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to reduce the impact of cancer in Victoria. It is an independent body that advises various groups, including government, on cancer-related issues.
Four women in discussion, two are looking at each other, one holds a coffee cup, and another is in the background smiling.

Butterfly Foundation

By Shazamme System User • January 9, 2026
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.
White cat being held by a person wearing a

Four Paws

By Shazamme System User • January 9, 2026
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. The organisation’s vision is a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.