Football Australia is on the lookout for a new chief executive after James Johnson announced his resignation from the role that has taken in some of the most turbulent and dramatic periods in the sport's recent history.

Johnson informed staff of his decision to walk away from the top job after five years at the helm at a meeting on Thursday.

His decision to step down just weeks out from the governing body's annual general meeting on May 23 will raise eyebrows but FA sources insisted the timing was merely coincidental.

"As someone who is immensely passionate about Australian football, this decision has not come easy, but I believe the time is right to step down," Johnson said in a statement.

"I want to extend my thank you to the Football Australia board and everyone within the Australian football community for their support during my tenure."

FA have appointed former Matildas player Heather Garriock as an interim chief executive, with Johnson to complete a handover period following the Socceroos' World Cup qualifying window in June.

Johnson's full-time replacement will be a pivotal appointment for the game's governing body.

A lawyer by trade, Johnson joined FA at the start of 2020 after spending time with the City Football Group and the Asian Football Confederation.

He was immediately thrust into one of the most demanding periods in the sport's history, with COVID-19, the unbundling of the A-League from FA and leading Australia's 2023 Women's World Cup bid just some of the juggled balls.

Winning hosting rights for the landmark trans-Tasman tournament, which elevated the Matildas' profile exponentially and provided an unprecedented surge in interest in female soccer, will be viewed as one of his strongest achievements.

Johnson led the hiring of Tony Gustavsson as Matildas coach in the lead-in towards the side's semi-final finish - their best performance at the tournament - and has been part of the process in recruiting Joe Montemurro, who appears nailed on as Gustavsson's replacement.

Johnson also extended Graham Arnold's contract after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where the Socceroos claimed their best-ever finish.

While he was blindsided by Arnold's resignation late last year, he moved quickly to finalise Tony Popovic as his replacement within days.

Domestically, Johnson has also helped set up a long-awaited men's second tier competition - the Australian Championship - which is due to start later this year.

He also stood tall in the immediate aftermath of the Melbourne derby pitch invasion in 2022.

"James has guided Football Australia through extraordinary challenges and leaves a great legacy," FA chair Anter Isaac said in a statement.