Chief Operations Officer

Beaumont People; Douglas Shire; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Job Pathways is seeking a strategic Chief Operations Officer to lead operational performance across remote and regional sites in the Kimberley. The role reports to the CEO, guiding service delivery, compliance and growth initiatives with a culturally diverse workforce.

You will oversee multi-site operations, manage government-funded contracts, and ensure high-quality outcomes for clients, communities and funders through strong leadership and governance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-site regional operations.
• Experience managing government-funded contracts with compliance and audits.
• Strong cultural capability with Aboriginal communities.
• Experience leading managers, workforce planning and succession.
• Strong financial and procurement management skills.
• Proven ability to drive operational change, growth and service delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement with government, funders and boards.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and translate strategic direction into delivery across sites.
• Oversee contractual performance, compliance, risk management and reporting.
• Lead service improvement, integration and growth initiatives.
• Guide workforce capability, budgeting, procurement and asset management.
• Engage with funders, government, employers and community leaders.

Skills

Multisite operations leadership

Govt contracts management

Cultural capability

People leadership

Financial management

Operational change & growth

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Business/management qualification

Job description

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | JOB PATHWAYS

Founded in 2013 as East Kimberley Job Pathways (EKJP), and known as Job Pathways since 2023, Job Pathways delivers employment and community services across the Kimberley. Services include community-led workforce and industry pathway programs and small business supports include the Remote Australia Employment Service, Workforce Australia (Broome), Revive recycling initiatives, Wayfinder NDIS services and the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). This diverse service offering creates practical pathways that strengthen individuals, families and communities.

Guided by a strong values-based culture grounded in Courage, Commitment, Collaboration and Care, and guided by a vision to be a catalyst for change by breaking the cycle of welfare dependency and supporting strong culture, economic sustainability and purposeful lives, Job Pathways delivers services grounded in cultural safety and works in close partnership with other local community organisations and clients, employees and communities.

ROLE SCOPE

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is responsible for the operational performance of all Job Pathways programs, services and support functions. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO translates strategic direction into consistent, high-quality service delivery across multiple sites.

As a key member of the Executive team, you will provide operational leadership, advise the CEO and Board, oversee contractual performance and compliance, and lead service improvement, integration and growth initiatives. The role has accountability for service quality, financial performance, workforce capability, operational risk and stakeholder engagement across a geographically dispersed and culturally diverse workforce.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated success leading multi-site operations in regional, remote or geographically dispersed environments.
• Experience managing government-funded contracts, including performance frameworks, compliance, audit requirements and funder relationships. Employment services experience is highly regarded.
• Strong cultural capability and a proven ability to build respectful, effective relationships with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities.
• Experience leading and developing managers, including workforce planning, performance management, capability development and succession planning.
• Strong financial and resource management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, procurement, asset management and performance oversight.
• Proven ability to lead operational change, business improvement, service growth and systems that support service delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with experience working effectively with government, funders, employers, community leaders, executive teams and boards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in business, management, community development, social sciences, human services or a related discipline, supported by substantial senior operational leadership experience.

Other Requirements

• Current C Class Driver's Licence.
• Willingness to travel regularly by road and air, including light aircraft, with approximately 7-10 nights away from home per month.

Credentials Check

Appointment is subject to satisfactory verbal references and probity checks, including a National Police Certificate issued within the last 6 months and NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and Working with Children Check (WWCC).

THE OPPORTUNITY

Job Pathways is a purpose-driven organisation committed to strengthening outcomes for individuals and communities across remote Australia.

Working in remote communities offers a unique and rewarding leadership opportunity, requiring cultural awareness, adaptability and a commitment to creating positive impact. You will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, navigate complex challenges and help shape sustainable outcomes for regional communities.

A competitive remuneration and benefits package is offered in recognition of the scope and impact of the role. Further information is available in the Candidate Briefing Document.

The Chief Operations Officer will be based in the head office in Kununurra, WA with regular travel across the Kimberley to all of Job Pathways sites.

At Beaumont People, we believe a diverse workplace is a happy workplace, and we love working with organisations that feel the same way. We encourage applications from people of all different backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from CALD backgrounds and people with disabilities or barriers to employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or marital or parental status. Should you require a reasonable accommodation to be made for your application to be assessed we would be more than happy to discuss how that can be arranged.