CEI is seeking an exceptional and inspiring, strategic and business-minded leader to fill the key executive role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The COO drives CEI’s global operational strategy, oversees day-to-day business operations, drives performance improvements, ensures sound financial management, and seeks continuous improvement in operational efficiency.

Our candidate is a seasoned leader with demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication and inter-personal skills – a strengths-based people leader who is adaptable, open and humble. An inspiring leader who knows that great culture drives great performance.

The COO works with the global Leadership team to build CEI’s success – fostering a high-performance culture, managing resources effectively, and aligning efficient business operations with CEI’s strategic goals and social purpose mission.

• Location: Melbourne (hybrid)
• Remuneration: $200,000 - $220,000 per annum plus salary packaging and superannuation
• Contract terms: 24 months, with possibility for extension (incl. 6-month probation)

Key areas of responsibility

The COO will have the following key areas of responsibility:

Strategic leadership

• Collaborate with the CEO and Leadership team to develop and implement the company’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to achieve the company’s growth targets and identify and lead reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Contribute to business planning and long-term strategic initiatives, emphasising process optimisation, scalability, efficiency and sustainability.
• Ensure operational initiatives are aligned with the company’s vision, mission and overall strategic priorities.

Financial management

• Work closely with the CEO and Global Managing Director to create and manage the operational budget, ensuring cost-effective operations while meeting business objectives.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, monthly and quarterly financial P&L reporting and resource allocation to sustain growth, ensure healthy margins, ensure clear and accurate financial outlook, reduce volatility, and optimise financial performance and business operations.
• Oversee engagement with auditors across jurisdictions; work in line with accounting principles to ensure successful annual audits.
• Ensure financial performance aligns with the company’s goals, providing regular reports to the CEO, Global Managing Director and Board of Directors.
• Review and improve the commercial constructs that underpin CEI’s proposals, optimising financial outcomes for CEI while mitigating commercial risk.

Operational management

• Lead and manage three departments – Finance, People and Culture, and Operations (including IT) – setting priorities for each, managing team members, and ensuring effective communication and cross-organisational buy-in for these critical functions.
• Oversee CEI’s day-to-day operations and systems, ensuring all business functions operate efficiently and effectively, including (but not limited to) ensuring effective and appropriate risk management (alongside executive and board); managing CEI’s insurance portfolio; managing third party technology and HR contracts and ensuring service delivery obligations are met; overseeing employee onboarding; overseeing CEI’s project management system (Kantata) and ensuring that use of systems, processes, and data are optimised; maintain asset register.
• Drive growth and scalability by refining processes; developing, leading implementation of, and refining policies; and ensuring best practices.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing operational team. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and teamwork across the organisation.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards across CEI locations – Australia, Singapore, UK and Norway.

Performance monitoring and optimisation

• Establish and monitor operational metrics, dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate success and areas for improvement.
• Regularly assess operational performance and adjust strategies to optimise resources and achieve business outcomes.
• Implement data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging analytics and operational data to continuously improve business operations.
• Support commercial operations between international offices and guide international offices on commercial matters.
• Develop and enhance accurate commercial operations reports that underpin smooth and effective staffing and hiring decisions.
• Be the point of contact for and respond to commercial queries, working closely with Operations and Finance team members.

Other responsibilities

• Lead and execute the finance system decoupling from the parent company, including vendor sourcing, project management, and delivery of a fit-for-purpose finance system.
• Work closely with and engage external stakeholders, including the parent company's finance and operations team, CEI Board, CEI Associates and Consultants.

Key selection criteria

Essential skills and experience

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in senior leadership roles, preferably in operations, finance
  or general management.
• Proven experience as a COO, operations director, or similar role in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Strong strategic planning, operations management, financial oversight, and team leadership background.
• Experience with Board reporting and engagement; experience with not-for-profit groups, research agencies, or advisory/consulting organisations.

Skills and competencies

• Leadership: Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate and lead cross-functional teams toward common goals.
• Financial acumen: Excellent understanding of financial statements, budgeting and managing operational costs.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage, influence and respond to stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem-solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to strategic decision-making and an enthusiasm for cross-organisational problem-solving that enables continuous improvement.
• Operational Expertise: In-depth knowledge of operational processes, time and material, and resource optimisation.
• Adaptability: Adapting to business conditions and effectively leading through change.

Personal

• A highly open, collaborative and engaging person, committed to working closely with colleagues at all levels to sustain CEI's success.
• A track record of thriving in contexts that are entrepreneurial, outcomes-oriented and dynamic.
• Commitment to diversity, high standards of professional ethics, and evidence-informed practice and policymaking, alongside a deep commitment to CEI’s mission, values and the philosophy of social purpose businesses.
• High levels of emotional intelligence, motivation and energy.
• A high level of personal productivity and work impact and of thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with high levels of accountability and standards of excellence for performance.
• Commitment to learning and to contributing to a learning environment with openness and humility.

Qualifications and accreditations

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Operations Management, or a related field.
• CPA or any other accounting qualification, such as an MBA or relevant advanced degree, will be favourably reviewed.

Diversity and inclusion at CEI

We are committed to improving outcomes for communities facing adversity by leveraging the best available evidence. We value diversity and inclusion. We actively seek and welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences regarding the social issues our work addresses and the communities we aim to serve.

Next steps

Download the applicant pack HERE (which includes the role description)

Download the role description HERE

Click Apply Now to submit your application. 

While you're not required to address each competency individually, we encourage you to illustrate how you satisfy as many of the job-related, personal, and qualification competencies as you can.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

The Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) is a subsidiary of Save the Children Australia, a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and sign our Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct.

Only applicants with the right to work in Australia will be considered.