QIC chief executive Doug McTaggart will leave the institutional investment manager on 30 June 2012 after 14 years with the fund.
McTaggart said the firm was in good shape and it was time for someone else to grow it further.
"Now is a good time. We've gone through some significant changes and things are bedded down well," he said.
"We've survived the turbulent times very well, so now it is a good time to leave and let someone else take QIC to the next level."
McTaggart, 58, will remain available as an adviser to the firm after stepping down next year.
He had no plans to retire entirely, he said.
"I'm not retiring from life, so I'll look at other opportunities when they evolve. But over the next nine months it is business as usual," he said.
QIC has hired recruitment firm Korn Ferry to undertake a global search for a new chief executive.
The $60 billion fund has traditionally been strong in infrastructure and McTaggart said he was optimistic about the investment opportunities in that sector in the future.
"I think [the development of the infrastructure sector] has a long way to go and I think the super industry will play a large part in that," he said.
"I think the last few years has shown many funds the volatility in listed equities and we will see something of a rotation back to fixed interest and non-listed assets.
"I think infrastructure as an investment class has a huge potential and not only will it provide a wonderful home for a fund's money, but it will also assist in overall development."
QIC recently announced it would look to widen its foreign client base by expanding into China.
Last week, it hired former Australian ambassador to China Geoff Raby to scope the market for opportunities.
