Chief Operating Officer

Bamara Elmo HR Hub; Newcastle; On-site; ZAR 1 360 000 - 1 814 000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Newcastle is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to lead day-to-day operations across various programs, including NDIS support and Employment Services. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of leadership experience, strong operational and financial management skills, and a commitment to community-driven service delivery. This full-time position offers a range of benefits including generous salary and additional leave.

Benefits

Generous salary

3 days bonus leave during the Christmas / New Year period

Birthday leave

Retail and Entertainment discounts

Opportunities to upskill with qualifications

Employee Assistance program

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressively senior leadership experience in operations management.
• Demonstrated track record of operational excellence in a comparable organization.
• Experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and change management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning, delivery, and performance of all service contracts.
• Develop and manage divisional budgets ensuring fiscal accountability and sustainability.
• Lead risk management strategies and ensure timely audits, reporting, and corrective actions.
• Foster a high-performance culture grounded in organizational values.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality culturally safe services.

Skills

Strategic planning and execution

Strong leadership and strategic thinking skills

Operational and financial acumen

Risk management and regulatory compliance

Talent development and culturally responsive leadership

Stakeholder & community engagement

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

Education

Higher education in Management or business-related field

Job description

Introduction

About Bamara

We bring years of experience and authentic engagement in regional remote and urban locations to our services.

Over the past 8 years Bamara has work with people and communities to support them as they achieve their goals.

Bamara delivers services in communities across New South Wales the Northern Territory and Queensland. Our focus is on building individual and community capacity and prosperity through the design and delivery of projects programs and initiatives underpinned by Australian government (state and federal) funding. Visit our website at to learn more.

Salary and Benefits

• Generous salary
• 3 days bonus leave during the Christmas / New Year period
• Birthday leave
• Retail and Entertainment discounts across leading brands
• Opportunities to upskill with qualifications
• Employee Assistance program for staff and their immediate families
• First Nations Perspective training

Description

Reports to : Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports May Include : Program Managers Regional Managers Quality & Compliance Manager Marketing Manager

Location : NSW- preferably Sydney or Newcastle

Organisational Context :

Bamara is an Indigenous-owned organization meaning Helper Friend Companion in Yolngu language dedicated to empowering participants and broader communities through employment training and support services. It delivers a range of Australian Government programs like NDIS support Transition to Work Employability Skills Training Career Transition Assistance Driver License Assistance Program. Workforce Australia Inclusive Employment Australia Australian Apprentice and traineeship providers RTO ISEP and DHub focusing on culturally safe community-driven service delivery.

Purpose of the Role :

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for leading Bamaras day-to-day operations across Employment Services NDIS programs and all other programs. This includes ensuring strategic alignment with organisational goals financial sustainability compliance with regulatory frameworks workforce capability and delivery of high-quality culturally safe participant outcomes.

Skills and Experiences

Key Responsibilities :

1. Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Oversee the planning delivery and performance of all service contracts.
• Translate Bamaras strategic plan into measurable operational objectives and business plans.
• Drive continuous improvement innovation and culturally responsive practices across all service areas.
• Support the CEO in long-term strategic initiatives including tender responses and service expansion.

2. Financial Management & Performance

• Develop and manage divisional budgets ensuring fiscal accountability and sustainability.
• Analyse program performance identifying risks trends and opportunities for growth or efficiency.
• Work with Finance to track expenditure revenue streams progress payments wage subsidies and grant milestones.
• Oversee contract profitability and ensure programs meet financial and outcome-based KPIs.

3. Governance Risk & Compliance

• Ensure all programs operate within legal contractual and accreditation frameworks including :
• ISO 9001
• ISO 27001
• NDIS Practice Standards
• RFFR & NSDS
• Lead risk management strategies and ensure timely audits reporting and corrective actions.
• Maintain a high pass rate on audits and compliance reviews.
• Uphold participant safeguarding privacy and quality assurance policies.

4. Workforce Leadership & Capability

• Lead a geographically dispersed workforce across multiple programs and states.
• Foster a high-performance culture grounded in Bamaras Wirray (the Bamara Way) values of respect inclusion and cultural integrity.
• Oversee recruitment onboarding performance management and leadership development.
• Ensure workforce planning aligns with contract demands growth and service quality.

5. Service Quality & Participant Outcomes

• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality culturally safe services.
• Monitor and report on participant engagement outcomes and satisfaction.
• Drive innovation in service delivery through data insights and co-design with community.
• Ensure service models such as Circle of Support and Wirray principles are embedded into all operations.

6. Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Build strong partnerships with government agencies (DEWR DSS NDIA NIAA NSW Education etc.) community organisations and employers.
• Represent Bamara at sector forums conferences and meetings.
• Promote collaboration with Elders Aboriginal-controlled organisations and key community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in delivering programs that drive social and economic outcomes particularly with First Nations communities.
• Strong financial and performance management abilities.
• Leadership background that embraces cultural competency community engagement and inclusive practice.

Key Competencies & Skills :

• Strategic planning and execution
• Strong leadership and strategic thinking skills
• Operational and financial acumen
• Risk management and regulatory compliance
• Talent development and culturally responsive leadership
• Stakeholder & community engagement
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

Performance Measures / KPIs :

• Program efficiency (timely quality delivery of services)
• Compliance audit results
• Client outcomesparticipant satisfaction and empowerment
• Budget adherence and cost-effectiveness
• Performance against KPIs and contractual requirements
• Staff retention engagement metrics and team performance
• Strength and impact of partnerships with stakeholder employers and community

Qualifications :

• Higher education in Management or business-related field
• 10 years of progressively senior leadership experience in operations management
• Demonstrated track record of operational excellence in a comparable organisation
• Experience in strategic planning financial oversight and change management

Clearances

• WWCC
• NDIS workers Clearance
• First Aid
• Police check

Required Experience :

Chief

Key Skills

Anti Money Laundering,Marketing & Sales,Gas Turbine,CNC,Jpa

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1