Director of Operations

About Our Client

PLACE Australia was established in 2024 as a national centre supporting place-based approaches to improve outcomes for communities across Australia. With backing from philanthropic and government partners, PLACE focuses on initiatives that enable local communities to shape solutions that reflect their needs and priorities.

Its work supports stronger local collaboration, better use of data, and practical tools to address complex social challenges. PLACE works with partners to enable more effective systems and policy responses in regions experiencing entrenched disadvantage.

As a growing national organisation, PLACE is building a team focused on practical delivery and long-term impact, with a presence across multiple states and territories.

Job Description

PLACE Australia is seeking a strategic and values-led Director of Operations to help steer the organisation into its next phase of growth and impact. Reporting directly to the CEO, this executive-level position is central to PLACE's success, ensuring systems, people, and resources are aligned, effective, and ready to support bold, community-led change.

You'll lead the operational portfolio of PLACE, overseeing HR, financial management, IT, governance, legal compliance, and shared services. Your remit includes everything from shaping people and culture strategy to strengthening infrastructure and enabling seamless connection in regions that need it most.

Key responsibilities include :

• Contribute as a member of a high-performing executive leadership team
• Leading core operational functions such as finance, HR, IT, legal, and shared services
• Driving people and culture strategy, fostering a high-performing, values-aligned team
• Overseeing financial management and sustainable resource allocation
• Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, and strong governance
• Building strong relationships with government, corporate, and community stakeholders
• Representing PLACE in national forums.

The Successful Applicant

With a genuine passion for creating positive social change and making a meaningful impact in the community, the ideal candidate is a values-driven leader with a strong track record of delivering organisational effectiveness and impact at scale. You bring :

• Demonstrated success leading operations and cross-functional teams to achieve sustainable impact
• Broad experience overseeing enabling functions including IT, legal, and facilities-with a focus on ethical, efficient delivery
• Proven ability to shape and nurture people and culture strategies that foster high performance and shared values
• Strong financial leadership, with expertise in budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and funding oversight.

What's on Offer

If you're motivated by enabling others to do their best work and doing so in service of place-based change, we'd love to hear from you. This role offers :

• Hybrid working environment
• Opportunity to make a tangible impact with an organisation in growth phase
• Collaborative and values-driven organisational culture.
• 5 weeks annual leave.

J-18808-Ljbffr