The Gold Coast SUNS have officially started the search for a new CEO following the appointment of a leadership advisory firm to assist with the process.

Current CEO, Travis Auld, will leave the club at the end of this season to take up a role with the AFL in Melbourne.

GC SUNS Chairman John Witheriff - who will oversee the process - confirmed the club had engaged leadership advisory firm, Evolve Intelligence, to identify suitable candidates for the position.

“The board met last week to finalise the process to identify a new chief executive,” Witheriff said.

“We have appointed Evolve Intelligence to lead the process to fill the position. Evolve’s role in the process will be to identify and bring together a strong field of applicants for the position.

“Importantly, the club engaged the Evolve team in 2009, a process that delivered a strong field of candidates and eventually saw Travis appointed as chief executive.”

Mr Witheriff also confirmed he would be joined by fellow board members Bob East and Paul Scurrah on the selection panel to make the appointment.