Carlton chief executive Steven Trigg has announced his surprise resignation from the AFL club.

Trigg was appointed in 2014 after leaving the same role at Adelaide Football Club that he had held for almost 14 years.

Simon Lethlean, after resigning as football boss at the AFL this year amid an infidelity scandal, has been linked to the job.

Trigg served a six-month AFL-imposed ban in 2013 for his part in the Kurt Tippett salary-cap drama.

Hawthorn also parted ways this week with their chief executive, Tracey Gaudry leaving the role she had filled for just five months.

Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs are also looking to fill vacant CEO positions.