Operations Manager

Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT; Darwin; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging options

Competitive remuneration

Employee Assistance Program

Rewards program

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the Darwin Base and coordinate aviation, clinical, engineering and support teams. You will ensure safe, reliable aeromedical and charter services for Territory communities and report to the Operations Director.

Join RFDS SA/NT to shape NT operations, build capability, manage budgets, and promote a culture of safety, collaboration and customer-focused service delivery.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams across geographically dispersed locations.
• Experience in aeromedical or charter operations is preferred.
• Proven ability to operate in a commercial environment and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership, coaching and development of high performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the Darwin Base.
• Coordinate with aviation, clinical, engineering and support teams.
• Manage Operations Support Officers and build a high‑performing team.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships with government agencies and health services.
• Monitor performance, analyze data and drive improvement initiatives.
• Oversee facilities, asset management and budgets while ensuring safety and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

People management

Communication

Problem solving

Change management

Education

Business Management degree or related

Job description

• Join our dynamic Darwin-based team supporting workforce and operational capability in the Northern Territory
• Permanent position located in Darwin
• Attractive remuneration and salary packaging benefits

About the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Australia / Northern Territory (RFDS SA/NT)

We are one of Australia’s most trusted and respected health and aeromedical service providers, delivering essential care to people across remote, rural and regional communities throughout South Australia and the Northern Territory.

As part of our ongoing strategic and operational activities within the Northern Territory, we are focused on strengthening our workforce and enhancing capability across the region. Our five-year Strategic Plan prioritises building innovative, responsive and better-connected services that improve health and wellbeing outcomes for all Australians.

You can watch stories about our people, patients and the communities we serve at rfdsnt.com.au

Our values of Care, Integrity, Collaboration, and Innovation guide how we work, ensuring we deliver the highest standard of service and continue to improve outcomes for the communities we serve.

About this Opportunity

RFDS SA/NT is entering an exciting new chapter in the Northern Territory, and this is an opportunity to help shape what comes next. As Operations Manager, you’ll lead the day-to-day running of our Darwin Base and work closely with aviation, clinical, engineering and support teams as we build our NT operations. Reporting to the Operations Director, you’ll bring people and resources together to deliver safe, reliable aeromedical and charter services for the communities we serve.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading operational planning and service delivery aligned to RFDS SA/NT strategic objectives.
• Managing the day-to-day operations of the Darwin Base, ensuring operational readiness and resource availability.
• Leading and developing a high-performing operations team, including direct management of Operations Support Officers.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders including government agencies, health services, emergency service organisations and community partners.
• Monitoring service performance, analysing operational data and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Managing operational risk, incident response planning, business continuity activities and service escalation processes.
• Supporting the delivery and growth of Northern Territory charter operations.
• Overseeing facilities, infrastructure and asset management requirements to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Managing budgets and resources while maintaining strong financial stewardship.
• Promoting a culture of safety, collaboration, accountability and customer-focused service delivery.

About You

You are a strong and values-driven operational leader with extensive experience managing multidisciplinary teams in complex and geographically dispersed environments. You thrive in fast-paced operational settings and are passionate about leading teams that make a meaningful difference to remote, rural and regional communities.

To be successful, you will bring

• At least five years' experience leading multidisciplinary teams delivering services across geographically dispersed locations.
• Experience in aeromedical and charter operations.
• Demonstrated experience operating within a commercial environment.
• Proven leadership capability with experience influencing, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Experience driving organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage operational risk, incidents, competing priorities and complex stakeholder expectations.
• Excellent written, verbal communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Sound knowledge of human resource management, workforce planning, safety, quality and compliance practices.
• Tertiary qualifications in Business Management or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

The following will be highly regarded

• Leadership experience within healthcare, emergency services, aviation or a related industry.
• Experience working with remote communities, regional health services or geographically dispersed operations.
• Experience delivering services within remote and tropical environments.
• Qualifications or certifications in Project Management and/or Leadership and Management Development.

As part of our team, you will be supported to achieve your best while contributing to meaningful work that makes a real difference.

We offer

• Generous salary packaging options (up to $15,899 + $2,650 meal & entertainment)
• Competitive remuneration
• Employee Assistance Program
• Reward and recognition programs
• Learning and development opportunities

Further Information

To access the position description, please [e-mail]

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Erin Leech, Operations Director via 0428 683 529.

For recruitment enquiries, please contact Jo Graham, Senior Recruiter via 0428 679 511.

Applications close at 11:59pm on 18 October 2026.

Please note, we reserve the right to appoint to the position before the published closing date. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible!

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is an equal opportunity employer that fosters a positive culture and offers a diverse, safe and supportive work environment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants are encouraged to apply.