Head of Operational Efficiency

Catholic Early EdCare; Queensland; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive-level remuneration

Genuine executive influence

Opportunity to apply commercial excellence

Job summary

A reputable education provider in Queensland seeks a Head of Operational Efficiency to drive significant improvements within their multi-site operations. This leadership role requires expertise in business transformation, with a focus on efficiency and governance. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker capable of implementing scalable solutions across various portfolios. This position offers an excellent opportunity to influence organizational change and uphold quality standards while working in a purpose-led environment.

Qualifications

• Senior experience leading business improvement or transformation.
• Ability to manage complexity across multiple portfolios.
• Strong commercial and governance mindset.
• Experience working with contracts, suppliers, and external partners.
• Confidence using data to drive decisions and outcomes.
• Translate strategy into operational reality.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose operational inefficiencies across several services.
• Design and deliver organisation-wide improvement initiatives.
• Lead contracts and supplier management across the organisation.
• Apply disciplined improvement methodologies and data-led decision-making.
• Lead contracts and supplier management across the organisation.
• Strengthen procurement, vendor performance, and governance.
• Mitigate operational risk while improving efficiency.
• Strengthen analytics capability and support performance tracking.
• Provide operational oversight of Vacation Care programs; improve planning and financial performance.
• Partner with executive leaders, finance, operations, and external partners; communicate complex ideas practically.

Skills

Business improvement

Operational excellence

Strategic thinking

Data-driven decision making

Commercial governance

Job description

3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

(Business Improvement | Operational Excellence) Catholic Early EdCare | Brisbane | Permanent

A leadership role for those who see systems as levers — and efficiency as an enabler of purpose.

Catholic Early EdCare is entering its next phase of organisational maturity. With more than 130 early learning and OSHC services across Queensland, the organisation is investing deliberately in smarter systems, stronger governance, and scalable operational models.

To lead this work, we are seeking a Head of Operational Efficiency — a senior leader with the capability to examine how a large, multi-site organisation truly functions, and the authority and skill to improve it.

This role is not about incremental change. It is about designing and delivering meaningful improvement at scale.

The Organisation

Catholic Early EdCare is one of Queensland's most respected early education providers, delivering Long Day Care, Kindergarten, and OSHC services to communities across the state.

At CEEC, children are at the heart of every decision we make. Our focus is on creating safe, enriching, and high-quality learning environments that support children, families, and the educators who care for them.

We Operate Where

• Purpose and service come before profit
• Strong governance and accountability protect what matters most
• Sustainable operations enable long-term quality and stability
• High-quality outcomes for children and families remain the ultimate measure of success

As CEEC continues to grow, we are strengthening our operational foundations — ensuring that systems, suppliers, contracts, and programs support frontline teams, remove barriers to quality practice, and allow educators to focus on what they do best: nurturing children's learning and wellbeing.

The Mandate

The Head of Operational Efficiency is accountable for improving how the organisation operates — end to end.

Working in close partnership with the executive team, this leader will identify inefficiencies, design improvement initiatives, and lead implementation across multiple portfolios simultaneously.

This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable thinking strategically and executing practically.

Scope of Responsibility

Operational Excellence & Business Improvement

• Diagnose operational inefficiencies across services, corporate functions, and programs
• Design and deliver organisation-wide improvement initiatives
• Embed scalable, repeatable solutions that support frontline teams
• Apply disciplined improvement methodologies and data-led decision-making

Commercial & Governance Leadership

• Lead contracts and supplier management across the organisation
• Strengthen procurement, vendor performance, and commercial governance
• Mitigate operational risk while improving efficiency

Business Analytics & Insight

• Strengthen the organisation's analytics capability
• Support performance tracking, forecasting, and benefits realisation

Vacation Care & Program Operations

• Provide operational oversight of Vacation Care programs
• Improve planning, resourcing, scalability, and financial performance
• Ensure consistency and efficiency across delivery models

Executive & Stakeholder Partnership

• Partner closely with executive leaders, finance, operations, and external partners
• Influence change through credibility, collaboration, and clarity
• Communicate complex ideas in a practical, actionable way

The Profile

This role is intentionally suited to leaders from large, complex, multi-site organisations, particularly retail, FMCG, or consumer-facing environments.

You Will Bring

• Senior experience leading business improvement, transformation, or operational excellence
• A strong commercial and governance mindset
• Proven ability to manage complexity across multiple portfolios
• Experience working with contracts, suppliers, and external partners
• Confidence using data to drive decisions and outcomes
• The ability to translate strategy into operational reality

Experience in early learning is not required. CEEC is deliberately seeking leaders who can bring fresh thinking, discipline, and proven efficiency models from other sectors.

Why This Role

• Genuine executive influence
• Organisation-wide scope and impact
• A clear mandate to improve how the organisation operates
• Competitive executive-level remuneration
• The opportunity to apply commercial excellence in a purpose-led environment
• A role with legacy — not just responsibility

Next Steps

If you are motivated by complexity, improvement, and meaningful impact — and want your work to support outcomes far beyond profit — we welcome a confidential conversation.

At Catholic Early EdCare, operational excellence is not the end goal — it's the foundation for quality, sustainability, and future growth.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Catholic Early EdCare is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children in our care and maintains a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse. The protection of children is our highest priority.

All recruitment processes include referee checks and criminal history screening, and all employees working with children must hold a current Queensland Working with Children Check (Blue Card).

Equal Opportunity

CEEC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.