Executive Director of Operations

at; Newcastle-Maitland; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected law firm in Newcastle-Maitland seeks a Senior Operations Leader to oversee business functions including Finance, HR, and IT. This role offers a significant opportunity to influence the firm's future, requiring a blend of strategic vision and hands-on experience. Applicants should have a strong background in managing operations within a professional services context, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and team development. The firm supports flexible working arrangements across its offices.

Benefits

Flexibility in work location

Supportive management

Career-defining opportunity

Qualifications

• Experience in a GM or senior operations role in professional services.
• Track record of leading operational transformation.
• Comfortable working with senior stakeholders and at a strategic level.

Responsibilities

• Lead and align business services functions under an operational strategy.
• Drive firm-wide initiatives for performance and efficiency.
• Support partnerships with commercial insights and data.

Skills

Leadership

Financial fluency

Data-driven decision-making

Emotional intelligence

Mentoring

Job description

Add expected salary to your profile for insights

Lead the next chapter of a respected NSW law firm

Rankin Ellison Lawyers is a well-established, mid-sized law firm with a strong reputation in insurance, private client and commercial law and a team of over 100 professionals across Sydney and Newcastle. Our clients stick with us because we're practical, technically sharp and easy to work with. As we continue to grow, we're creating a new senior leadership role to help us scale with purpose and we're looking for someone who's as comfortable in the boardroom as they are rolling up their sleeves.

About the Role

This is a newly expanded position with a broad remit - you'll take ownership of the firm's business operations of Finance HR, IT, Marketing, Compliance and general Operations and work closely with the Management Committee and Board to drive performance, lead change and bring cohesion across the business.

You'll have a seat at the table for strategic decisions but you'll also be hands-on, improving systems, mentoring teams and making sure the engine room of the firm runs smoothly and smartly.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and aligning all business services functions under a unified operational strategy
• Driving firm-wide initiatives that improve performance, efficiency and client service
• Supporting the partnership with commercial insight and data-driven decision-making
• Strengthening internal systems, processes and reporting frameworks
• Building trust and alignment across a diverse team of professionals
• Helping shape a modern, scalable management model for the firm's future

What You Bring

We're after a commercially minded leader who's pragmatic, steady under pressure and confident working with senior stakeholders. You've likely held a GM or senior operations role in a professional service environment and you know how to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day delivery.

You’ll thrive here if you:

• Have a track record of leading operational transformation in a complex, people-driven business
• Are financially fluent and comfortable using data to drive decisions
• Know how to navigate a partnership structure and influence at senior levels
• Lead with emotional intelligence and a calm, grounded presence
• Enjoy mentoring teams and building capability across functions
• Bring experience from legal, accounting, consulting or similar sectors

The Environment

This is a firm that's ready for change. There's genuine appetite for operational leadership and you'll have the mandate to make a real impact. That said, it's still a partnership so success will come from building trust, communicating clearly and guiding the business with both authority and diplomacy.

What’s on Offer

• A career-defining opportunity to shape the firm's operational future
• Direct influence on strategy, culture, and innovation
• Supportive, engaged Managing Partners who value commercial leadership
• Flexibility across our Sydney and Newcastle offices
• A culture that values professionalism, pragmatism and people
• The chance to leave a lasting legacy in a respected and growing firm

If you’re ready to lead meaningful change and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty along the way, we’d love to hear from you.