Long-serving Melbourne City chief Scott Munn will leave the job this month to become head of City Football Group's expanding Chinese operations.
The diminutive executive was the inaugural leader of Melbourne Heart when they were admitted to the league in 2010, remaining in the role after a takeover by the Manchester City-aligned football conglomerate.
Munn's departure coincides with CFG's acquisition of a third-tier Chinese club, Chengdu-based Sichuan Jiuniu.
Under his leadership, the A-League side won the 2016 FFA Cup but failed to reach an A-League grand final.
They have also struggled to create a footprint in Melbourne, averaging less than 10,000 people to games.
In contrast, the W-League side transformed the women's game in Australia, winning the championship in their first three seasons.
Munn will be replaced by Brad Rowse, currently the club's commercial and operations director.
Rowse has spent a decade at the club after stints in similar roles with AFL clubs Melbourne and Geelong.