Having initially sounded-out former Football Federation Australia boss Ben Buckley and Geelong chief executive Brian Cook, the Kangaroos have eventually plumped for Dilena to replace Eugene Arocca, who quit in June after falling out with president James Brayshaw.

Cam Vale had been the interim chief executive but was told last month he would not be given the top role.

A former senior partner at KPMG, Dilena, 45, will begin in the new year.

"We were looking for someone with great leadership skills, senior management experience, a comprehensive understanding of the football industry and someone who also appreciates the unique culture of our club," Brayshaw said.

"Carl has been a senior partner with one of the world's biggest professional services firms, played football at the highest level, has been a member of our Board for the past five years and has chaired the club's finance and audit committee.

"He comes to us with an impressive skill-set and we couldn't be happier to announce his appointment."

Dilena will remain on the Kangaroos board.

"Not only does he understand our business inside out, he has also forged very strong relationships with key people at the AFL, has an intimate knowledge of where we have come from as an organisation, where we need to be headed and how to get there," Brayshaw said.

"To attract someone with Carl's ability is extremely pleasing as we now have an elite, strong leader in place to drive us forward."

Dilena played 23 matches for Fitzroy between 1989 and 1990 and 10 for the Kangaroos in the following two seasons.