Melbourne Rebels chief executive Ross Oakley has stood down, with his deputy Steve Boland to take over the Super Rugby club.

Former AFL boss Oakley took charge of the Rebels for their debut season.

Rebels chairman Harold Mitchell said Oakley had done an outstanding job, with Boland's move into the role part of a succession plan.

"We are most grateful to Ross for stepping into the role at short notice more than a year ago and for the work he's done in the succession plan for Steve Boland to assume the CEO position," Mitchell said in a statement.

Oakley had stepped into the fulltime role after founding CEO Brian Waldron was forced to resign following the salary cap drama involving his former employer, rugby league's Melbourne Storm.

Oakley will remain involved with the Rebels in a business development role, as well as continuing as chief executive of the Victorian Rugby Union.

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