• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
• Location: Hybrid (Brookvale office presence required)
• Position Type: Permanent Full time or Part Time (0.8 FTE) considered for the right candidate
• Remuneration & Benefits: In addition to a competitive salary + superannuation + you'll have access to NFP salary packaging

About Us

At Childhood Dementia Initiative (CDI) we are working to create sustainable global health solutions for childhood dementia. We drive world-first action for every child and young person living with dementia so that we may achieve the following outcomes:

• Treatments and cures available for children with dementia;
• Access to equitable and quality care for children with dementia and their families; and
• Childhood dementia is a global health policy priority.

Our Values: Our work is guided by our values: Bold, Transparent, Flexible, Amplify & Unite:

• We are BOLD in all we do and seek to achieve.
• We AMPLIFY the voices of our families and the case for change.
• We are TRANSPARENT and FLEXIBLE in all aspects of our work.
• We UNITE, bringing together those who can make the changes needed.

About the role

CDI is growing — fast. And this is the role that makes sure the organisation is ready for it.

The Director of Operations is a newly created role and key member of the Senior Leadership Team responsible for building the operational backbone — financial management, governance, compliance, and the systems and processes that hold a scaling organisation together. As CDI transitions from a start up organisation focussed primarily on systemic change and advocacy to an organisation also delivering services, this role will allow us to scale safely and effectively without losing the momentum, urgency, and ambition that defines us. CDI's 2026–2031 strategy represents a fundamental shift in scale and scope. This role exists to make that shift possible.

This is a building role for someone who is energised by the challenge of creating something from scratch — who brings the same boldness and appetite for innovation to operations that CDI brings to everything else. The right person designs systems for the organisation CDI is becoming, not just the one it is today, and creates the conditions for the CEO and leadership team to direct their energy where it matters most — strategy, external partnerships, and mission delivery.

In the near term, this role will also carry some of the operational and administrative responsibilities of the previous Operations Manager position — office management, facilities, tools, vendor relationships, and event logistics. This is a transitional state, not a permanent one. The right person will be comfortable keeping the lights on while simultaneously building the infrastructure that eventually allows these responsibilities to be delegated or resourced differently. A key early deliverable is identifying how the day-to-day running of the business gets resourced, freeing this role to focus on what only a Director can do.

This role is succeeding when CDI can scale confidently, knowing its operational foundations are solid, compliant, and ahead of its growth — not catching up to it.

You don't need to have done this exact role before. What matters far more is a track record of taking things on and running with them — someone who sees a gap and fills it, who is comfortable with a role that will constantly evolve, and who finds genuine satisfaction in building something from the ground up.

If you're purpose-led, solutions-focused, and ready to roll up your sleeves while keeping one eye firmly on the horizon — we'd love to hear from you.

Want more details? Check out the full Position Description (attached below).

The skills & experience you'll bring

• Senior leadership experience in a complex, fast-moving organisation
• A builder's track record — demonstrated experience designing governance, compliance, and operational frameworks from scratch, not just maintaining what already exists
• Scaling experience — you've taken an organisation or function through significant growth or transition and know what it takes to build infrastructure that keeps pace
• Financial management capability — confident with budgeting, forecasting, scenario modelling, and building business cases that drive decisions
• People & HR framework design — proven ability to design and embed employment frameworks, performance systems, and culture infrastructure in a growing organisation
• Regulated service delivery experience — background in health, disability, or social services is strongly preferred; NDIS familiarity is a significant advantage
• Board-level communication — experience working with and reporting to Boards, with the ability to prepare high-quality governance materials independently
• NFP or mission-led background — experience in a purpose-driven organisation is preferred; a genuine connection to CDI's mission is essential
• The right to reside and work in Australia

A position description is attached.