The "Great Step-Down": Why Brisbane's C-Suite Is Looking for a Pay Cut
More executives responsible for 100 to 300+ people are actively seeking step-down roles. Less responsibility. More life. Many are happy to take a pay cut to get it back.
There is a wild dichotomy hitting the local job market right now, and it is especially visible here in Brisbane.
While the tech sector sees thousands of engineers being laid off (only to be "evaporated" back into the market almost instantly), a different movement is happening at the top.
I am talking to more and more executives, leaders responsible for 100 to 300+ people, who are actively seeking step-down roles.
They are not looking for a bigger bonus or a more prestigious title. They are looking for:
- Less responsibility.
- More life.
- Happy to take a pay cut in exchange for mental bandwidth.
For years, the "hustle" was the only gear we knew. But the data (and the burnout rates) are catching up. We are seeing a shift where "Family + Health first" is no longer just a nice-to-have sentiment in a corporate brochure. It is a non-negotiable career strategy.
"We have high-performers realising that a slightly smaller paycheck is a small price to pay to actually be present at a weekend BBQ or a school assembly without checking their phone 40 times."
The market is resilient, but our nervous systems have limits.
What This Means for Hiring Organisations
If you are a mid-market business looking for experienced leadership, this is your window. There is exceptional talent actively seeking roles with less complexity and more balance. These are not B-players coasting to retirement. They are battle-tested operators choosing intentional career design.
The organisations that recognise this shift, and structure roles accordingly, will attract leadership talent they otherwise could never afford.
What This Means for Executives
You are not alone. The conversation is shifting. The stigma around "stepping down" is dissolving fast, especially in Brisbane's private company market where pragmatism beats prestige every time.
If you are considering a move like this, we would love to have a confidential conversation about what is out there.
Considering a step-down?
We work with South East Queensland's mid-market companies. Many are open to experienced leaders who want a different pace. Let's talk confidentially.
Start a Confidential Conversation