Chief Operating Officer

Eden Ritchie Recruitment; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Eden Ritchie Recruitment is representing the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) for a Chief Operating Officer appointment. The COO will partner with the CEO and Board to drive strategic, financial and operational performance across a high‑impact government–finance interface.

Leading a multi‑disciplinary team, you will manage governance, reporting, IT, analytics and risk, while promoting accountability and sustainable growth within a lean, public‑purpose organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant executive in COO/CFO level or equivalent.
• Experience across finance, corporate operations and organisational performance.
• Navigating governance, compliance and reporting in government or regulated environments.
• Broad technology and information management knowledge; able to lead IT transformations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and lead all operational activities.
• Oversee government liaison, finance, audit, loan administration, travel, procurement, IT and corporate reporting.
• Lead investment analytics and portfolio management reporting to the Board.
• Oversee cyber security, data governance and digital priorities.

Skills

Executive leadership

Financial literacy

Governance experience

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional leadership

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

CA or CPA

Commonwealth Government experience

Job description

The Opportunity

Eden Ritchie Recruitment is proud to partner with the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) in the appointment of an accomplished Chief Operating Officer to join its Executive Leadership Team. NAIF is a Federal Government development financier with a $7 billion financing facility, supporting infrastructure investment and economic growth across Northern Australia. With more than $4.4 billion committed across 33 investments, NAIF operates at the intersection of government, finance and commercial investment, delivering long-term benefits to regional communities and economies. This is a significant opportunity for a commercially astute executive to combine strategic influence, financial leadership and broad corporate responsibility within an organisation delivering nationally important outcomes.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for providing strategic direction, leading and managing all operational activities for the organisation. This is a key role for a senior, commercially-minded executive who will be a member of the Executive team, working closely with the CEO to drive key strategic initiatives and ensuring the business operates efficiently and effectively, as well as providing key support to the NAIF Board. As a trusted adviser to the CEO and Board, you will provide informed commercial and financial advice, contribute to strategic decision-making and lead initiatives that strengthen organisational performance, accountability and operational effectiveness. Leading a multi-functional team, you will be responsible for government departmental liaison, finance, audit, loan administration, travel, property, procurement, IT, corporate reporting, and performance reporting related to portfolio management including reporting of investment analytics. You will also provide oversight of technology, information management and emerging digital priorities, including cyber security, data governance and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence. Operating within a lean, commercially oriented organisation, success requires an executive who can balance strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery, navigate complex government requirements and take ownership of challenging or unfamiliar issues.

About You

You are an accomplished executive with strong commercial acumen, financial leadership and broad corporate experience, ideally gained across both commercial and government-related environments. Pragmatic, adaptable and solutions-focused, you bring sound judgement, personal accountability and the confidence to make decisions and deliver outcomes. You will be equally comfortable providing strategic direction and working through the detail when required.

• Significant executive in a COO/CFO role or equivalent senior leadership position within government or a comparable commercial environment.
• Leadership experience across finance, corporate operations and organisational performance, supported by strong commercial judgement.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex governance, compliance and reporting requirements, ideally within government, financial services or a similarly regulated environment.
• Broad technology and information management knowledge, with the ability to lead transformational IT projects.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, influence senior stakeholders and deliver outcomes through effective leadership, initiative and problem‑solving.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a high degree of personal trustworthiness, discretion, and integrity.
• Experience supporting and serving as an adviser to the CEO, to the Board and the Executive Team.

Relevant tertiary or professional qualifications, including CA or CPA, and Commonwealth Government experience are highly regarded. Candidates may bring different combinations of financial, commercial and government experience, with demonstrated judgement, adaptability, and the ability to quickly understand and navigate complex requirements being particularly important.

Australian citizenship and eligibility to obtain the required security clearance are essential.

Why Join NAIF?

This is an opportunity to influence the direction and performance of an organisation combining commercial discipline with a strong public purpose. Working closely with the CEO and Board, you will contribute to nationally significant infrastructure investment.

Applications close 5pm Wednesday 25th November 2026