Chief Operating Officer

The Compliant Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 280,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

The Compliant Group, an Australian-headquartered customs brokerage and BPO, is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer to drive end-to-end operational performance across Australia, NZ, the UK and the Philippines. You will oversee high-volume, regulated work and champion AI-enabled workflows while ensuring profitability and service standards are met.

You will balance detailed daily delivery with strategic design of the operating model, working closely with the CEO and Board to shape group

Qualifications

• Significant senior operational leadership experience, ideally across multiple sites or countries.
• Proven track record of improving productivity, cost efficiency and operating performance.
• Accountability for P&L or EBITDA performance against budget.
• Experience leading operations in regulated environments demanding compliance and accuracy.
• Demonstrated success delivering organizational change including automation or AI-enabled workflows.
• Strong commercial acumen linking operations decisions to financial outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead group operational performance across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the Philippines.
• Own profitability and EBITDA performance against budget across all entities.
• Drive productivity, cost efficiency and operating margin improvements.
• Champion AI and automation across client-facing and internal workflows.
• Develop and support site and country operational leaders; build capability.
• Ensure regulatory and licensing obligations are met across jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with Commercial Director on new business, onboarding and client retention.
• Support acquisition assessment and integration of acquired businesses.
• Report operational and financial performance to the Board and contribute to strategy.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

P&L management

Regulated environment

AI adoption

Cross-country leadership

Job description

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Board, the Chief Operating Officer holds end-to-end accountability for operational performance and operational profitability across the group.

This is a genuinely broad executive portfolio. You will lead established operational teams delivering high-volume, regulated work to demanding service standards, while also leading the adoption of AI and automation across both client-facing and internal workflows.

The role suits an experienced operational executive who is equally comfortable with the detail of daily delivery, the financial performance of the operation, and the longer-term question of how that operation should be designed.

Key responsibilities

Lead group operational performance across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Philippines

Hold accountability for operational profitability and EBITDA performance against budget across all operating entities

Deliver measurable improvement in productivity, cost efficiency and operating margin

Lead the adoption of AI and automation across client-facing and internal operational workflows, including the operational delivery of supporting technology and platform programs

Develop and support site and country operational leaders, building capability and accountability

Own operational service standards, escalation management and client outcomes

Ensure regulatory and licensing obligations are met across all jurisdictions

Partner with the Commercial Director to support new business, onboarding and client retention

Contribute to acquisition assessment and operational integration of acquired businesses

Report operational and financial performance to the Board and contribute to group strategy

About you

Significant senior operational leadership experience, ideally across multiple sites or countries

A demonstrated track record of delivering measurable improvement in productivity, cost efficiency and operating performance

Accountability for operational P&L or EBITDA performance against budget

A track record of leading operations in a regulated environment where compliance and accuracy are critical

Demonstrated experience leading operational change or transformation, including the adoption of automation or AI-enabled workflows

Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to connect operational decisions to financial outcomes

Proven capability in building and developing senior operational leaders

Excellent stakeholder management skills across clients, teams and board level

Sound judgement, resilience and the confidence to offer a contrary view

About us

The Compliant Group is an Australian-headquartered customs brokerage and business process outsourcing organisation, operating since 2009. The group comprises licensed customs brokerage operations in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, together with Compliant Business Processing, our Manila-based BPO with approximately 550 staff.

We manage customs clearance, trade compliance and supply chain documentation for freight forwarders, logistics providers and importers across multiple jurisdictions. The group has grown organically since 2009 and continues to invest in technology, people and new markets.

A genuine executive role with direct Board exposure and real scope to shape the business

An established, profitable group with an active growth agenda

Competitive executive remuneration package, discussed openly and early

Sydney-based with regular travel to our Manila operation

A leadership team that values direct conversation and sound judgement