Chief Operations Officer

Pure Source Recruitment; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Multilink Community Services in Brisbane seeks a senior operations leader reporting to the CEO to oversee a diverse portfolio of community services, ensuring high-quality, culturally responsive, client-centred delivery aligned with strategy.

You will translate strategy into operational plans, drive continuous improvement, manage budgets and risk, and build strong partnerships with government and community stakeholders to support long-term impact.

Qualifications

• Senior operational leadership experience within the not-for-profit, community services environment.
• Proven experience leading complex, multidisciplinary and multi-program operations within a regulated and funded environment.
• Collaborative and operational leadership style – able to balance strategy with service delivery, people, performance and day-to-day decisions.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience overseeing budgets, resources, and operational performance.
• Solid understanding of quality, compliance, and risk management frameworks.
• Values-led leadership, building trust and credibility through actions, communication and integrity.
• Ability to build genuine relationships at all levels – employees, community members, government, funding bodies, sector partners and senior stakeholders.
• Resilient, considered, capable with complexity; makes decisions transparently and respectfully.
• Commitment to community presence and culturally responsive, client-centred service delivery.
• Experience developing senior leaders and maintaining a respectful culture.
• Tertiary qualifications in management, social services, health, community development, or related discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight across a diverse portfolio of operational programs, ensuring high-quality, culturally responsive, and client-centred service delivery.
• Translate organisational strategy into clear operational plans, KPIs and performance measures, driving accountability and continuous improvement across services.
• Lead, mentor, and support senior managers, building capable, collaborative, and values-aligned teams.
• Oversee quality, risk, and compliance across regulated and government-funded programs, including accreditation, audits, safeguarding, incident management, and continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively with the CEO and Corporate Services Manager to oversee operational budgets, resource allocation, financial sustainability, and performance.
• Identify opportunities for service growth, innovation and partnerships that respond to community needs and support the organisation's long-term direction.
• Lead organisational change and service improvement initiatives, strengthening systems, processes, and ways of working.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with government departments, funding bodies, peak organisations, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation across sector, community, and interagency forums, maintaining a visible and credible presence in the communities it serves.
• Provide high-quality operational reporting and act as a trusted sounding board to the CEO, bringing sound judgement, transparency, and a willingness to navigate difficult decisions when required.

Skills

Senior operational leadership

Not-for-profit

Strategic mindset

Collaboration

Financial acumen

Quality & risk management

Integrity & trust

Stakeholder engagement

Decisive leadership

People development

Senior leadership experience

Education

Management / social services / health / community development (tertiary)

Job description

About the role

A tremendous role that will see you reporting directly to the CEO, where you will take ownership of the operational leadership and performance of a diverse portfolio of community services. You will ensure services are high-quality, culturally responsive, client-centred and aligned with the organisation's strategic direction.

This is a leadership position and one that goes well beyond managing the day-to-day. You will work closely with the CEO and Senior Management Team to translate strategy into operational plans, drive continuous improvement, and ensure the organisation continues to meet its contractual, regulatory and community obligations. Highly collaborative and values-driven, you will become a trusted partner to the CEO and a respected leader across the organisation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight across a diverse portfolio of operational programs, ensuring high-quality, culturally responsive, and client-centred service delivery
• Translate organisational strategy into clear operational plans, KPIs and performance measures, driving accountability and continuous improvement across services
• Lead, mentor, and support senior managers, building capable, collaborative, and values-aligned teams
• Oversee quality, risk, and compliance across regulated and government-funded programs, including accreditation, audits, safeguarding, incident management, and continuous improvement
• Work collaboratively with the CEO and Corporate Services Manager to oversee operational budgets, resource allocation, financial sustainability, and performance
• Identify opportunities for service growth, innovation and partnerships that respond to community needs and support the organisation's long-term direction
• Lead organisational change and service improvement initiatives, strengthening systems, processes, and ways of working
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with government departments, funding bodies, peak organisations, community partners, and other key stakeholders
• Represent the organisation across sector, community, and interagency forums, maintaining a visible and credible presence in the communities it serves
• Provide high-quality operational reporting and act as a trusted sounding board to the CEO, bringing sound judgement, transparency, and a willingness to navigate difficult decisions when required

Skills, Experience and Qualities

• Demonstrated senior operational leadership experience within the not-for-profit, community services environment
• Proven experience leading complex, multidisciplinary and multi-program operations within a regulated and funded environment
• You have a collaborative and operational leadership style – you are comfortable moving between the bigger picture and the realities of service delivery, people, performance, and day-to-day decision-making
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience overseeing budgets, resources, and operational performance
• A strong understanding of quality, compliance, and risk management frameworks
• You are a values-led leader who builds trust and credibility through your actions, communication, and integrity
• An ability to build genuine relationships at all levels – from employees and community members through to government, funding bodies, sector partners, and senior stakeholders
• You are resilient, considered, and comfortable with complexity. You aren't afraid to make difficult decisions, but do so transparently, respectfully and with sound judgement
• A genuine commitment to having a presence within the community and an appreciation of culturally responsive, inclusive, and client-centred service delivery
• Experience leading and developing senior leaders, with the ability to create accountability while maintaining a supportive and respectful culture
• Tertiary qualifications in management, social services, health, community development, or a related discipline will be highly regarded

Benefits and Culture

We have a long history recruiting for Multilink Community Services and value the work they do and the opportunities they provide. You will work with closely with a capable and high performing Senior Management Team and report to an accomplished, well regarded, and engaging CEO who values respect, trust and integrity.

Be part of a purpose-driven organisation with deep community connections. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is hardworking, resilient, highly collaborative, and motivated by the opportunity to contribute over the long term, this is a career role with the scope to have a very real impact.

We’re returning to market following a review of the position’s current needs and priorities, giving us an opportunity to further refine our search for the right person to lead this important portfolio. The role remains an excellent opportunity for an experienced leader looking to make a meaningful contribution to community services. If you have previously applied for this position, we thank you for your interest, however, previous applicants need not reapply.

Applications close 4pm on Friday 30th October 2026.

All candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application via email or phone.