Mr Ebeid, who's in his early 50s, told SBS's staff in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra it's time for him to move on and accept a new challenge with another, yet-to-be named organisation. He said he leaves SBS in a better and stronger position than ever.
In Tuesday's emotional announcement, Mr Ebeid said his decision to step down by early October was one of the most difficult decisions he had ever made. "I absolutely love this place and what it stands for... SBS is very much a family", he said.
"What we do makes a difference to people's lives and helps shape the society in which we live... We are more relevant than ever and we are ready for the future", Mr Ebeid said.
SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid is stepping down. Source: AAP
"Considering the struggle of societies globally to integrate diverse communities harmoniously, SBS today performs a critical role in the Australian community."
"Serving as the SBS Managing Director has been a real honour and privilege and I depart feeling confident that this is the right time for a new managing director to take the organisation forward", he said.
Mr Ebeid was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours for "significant service to the broadcast media and multicultural affairs as an executive, innovator and business leader".
Michael Ebeid (right) at the relaunch of NITV in Uluru on December 12, 2012. Source: Wayne Quilliam/AAP
Ein Intendant mit Leib und Seele: SBS Boss Michael Ebeid trat sein Amt im Juni 2011 an Source: SBS
In 2017, Michael Ebeid won The CEO Magazine's CEO of the Year award.
Mr Ebeid, whose previous high profile jobs included a lengthy stint at Optus, will depart SBS on 1 October and he will make an announcement in the coming weeks about his next role.
Immer bereit, an allen Fronten für SBS zu kämpfen: Michael Ebeid, hier mit Senator Mitch Fifield in Canberra Source: AAP
A national recruitment process will search for a new MD to take SBS into the new era.
