Chief Operating Officer (COO)

About us

The Australian Alliance to End Homelessness (AAEH) is an independent champion and catalyst for preventing and ending homelessness in Australia. We recognise that the scale of homelessness in Australia is both preventable and solvable and that we can end homelessness in Australia.

Since 2013, we have supported individuals, organisations, governments and local communities across Australia to work collaboratively across sectors to end homelessness – not just at an individual level, but systemically. Specifically, we work to prevent, reduce and end homelessness by ensuring that everyone has access to the housing and support they need, so that any future incidents of homelessness are rare, brief and once-off. This is how we define an end to homelessness. 

Through driving the Advance to Zero movement, developing solutions for systems change and building our allied networks, we support local communities to demonstrate that ending homelessness is possible.

Ultimately, we exist to prevent, reduce and end homelessness in Australia. We bring together individuals, community, business and governments to take action for an end to all homelessness in Australia.

We are seeking an accomplished and purpose-driven executive who combines strong commercial and operational acumen with a genuine commitment to social impact. As Chief Operating Officer, you will be a strategic partner to the CEO, leading organisational operations, financial stewardship, governance, risk management and people leadership to ensure AAEH is well positioned to deliver on its mission to end homelessness in Australia.

The ideal candidate will bring senior leadership experience, exceptional financial and operational management capability, and the ability to build and lead high-performing teams. You are a collaborative, values-led leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, can balance strategic thinking with practical execution, and is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to meaningful systems change.

What we offer:

• - Excellent work-from-home flexibility

• - Generous leave entitlements, including 5 weeks of annual leave

• - Full-time preferred, with genuine consideration for 0.8 FTE for the right candidate

• - Salary Packaging benefits up to $15,899 per annum

• - Flexible location: Adelaide is preferred, with an office and proximity to the CEO. However, suitably qualified candidates based elsewhere in Australia will also be considered.

• - Be a part of the national movement to end homelessness in Australia

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About You:

You are a values-driven and emotionally intelligent leader who builds trust, brings out the best in people, and leads with authenticity and accountability. You thrive in complex environments, balancing strategic thinking with operational excellence, and have the judgement and resilience to lead through growth, change and ambiguity.

You bring strong leadership across operations, finance, governance and organisational development, along with a collaborative approach that enables teams and stakeholders to succeed. Most importantly, you are motivated by purpose and share our belief that homelessness can be prevented and ended. You are committed to inclusion, value diverse perspectives, and are inspired by the opportunity to help drive meaningful systems change.

If you're looking for a role where you can combine executive leadership with genuine social impact and help shape the future of a national organisation committed to ending homelessness, we'd love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities of the role are:

• - Provide strategic leadership and partnership to the CEO and Board, helping drive organisational growth, sustainability and impact.

• - Lead the organisation's financial management and commercial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audit oversight and financial strategy.

• - Oversee national operations and business performance, ensuring effective systems, processes and resources that support organisational success.

• - Champion a high-performing and values-driven culture, providing leadership across people, capability, workplace wellbeing and organisational development.

• - Strengthen governance, risk and compliance frameworks, supporting the Board and ensuring organisational accountability and regulatory compliance.

• - Drive strategic initiatives and continuous improvement, building organisational capability, innovation and long-term sustainability in support of AAEH's mission to end homelessness.

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The successful applicant will have:

• - Demonstrated senior-level experience leading, managing and delivering an organisation’s core finance function, including financial strategy and controls, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and performance reporting, and the effective oversight of bookkeeping, audit and statutory compliance; supported by strong project management capability across stakeholder relationships, scope, budget, timeframes, risk and reporting.

• - Proven track record of successful operations leadership in a similar industry or organisation.

• - Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• - Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

• - Demonstrated ability to drive change and implement process improvements.

• - Knowledge of industry-specific regulations and compliance requirements

• - Appropriate proficiency in relevant ICT systems, including Microsoft Office/Google Suite, Xero and SharePoint

• - Demonstrated experiencing supporting to boards/committees (including preparing papers for discussion or decision)

• - Strong commitment to ending homelessness

• - Tertiary qualifications in business, finance, operations management or a related discipline.

• - Direct experience working in the homelessness or not-for-profit sector would be an advantage.

You must also have a current National Police Clearance or be willing to obtain one. Some intra and interstate travel will be required.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, nationalities, abilities, and cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, lived or living experience and all other suitable applicants.

How to apply:

A copy of the full job description can be found on our website at:

https://aaeh.org.au/assets/docs/JDF-AAEH-Chief-Operating-Officer-Aug-26.pdf

Your application must include a cover letter addressed to David Pearson, AAEH CEO addressing the key responsibilities and relevant qualifications and experience.

Applications close COB Friday 25 September 2026, if not before.

Early submissions are encouraged, as we will schedule interviews for suitable candidates as applications are received.

Only applications submitted via Seek.com will be accepted, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Please, no recruitment agencies.