• Pivotal role at a critical stage of Climateworks' Australian & APAC development
• Deliver operations, sustainability & change management transformation strategy
• Melbourne based. Supportive, balanced culture. Competitive package & benefits

The Organisation

Climateworks Centre, co-founded by The Myer Foundation and Monash University in 2009, has played a unique role in the transition to a net-zero future in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. Operating within the Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) Climateworks bridges research and action and is a trusted advisor to powerful decision-makers across governments, business, and finance. Respected for its specialist analysis and engagement capabilities, Climateworks is seeking to drive system-level change in line with what is required to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees.

Climateworks convenes and facilitates relationships with influential decision-makers within an international network of organisations that supports effective policies, financing, and action for emissions reductions at scale. Climateworks provides tailored information and tools, to remove obstacles and help facilitate conditions that support the transition to a prosperous, net-zero emissions future.

Benefits & Culture

Join a mission-focused, dynamic, committed and highly regarded team who celebrate each other’s contributions and enjoy a supportive work-life balance culture where wellbeing is a priority. Benefit from Monash University employee arrangements, a generous self-development budget and competitive salary, and an independent high calibre CEO and board.

The Role

Reporting to and advising the CEO, you will lead organisational sustainability through the people strategy, income strategy, financial forecasting, resource planning and the development of people, offices, governance, and operational systems in Australia and internationally. Your work leads the operationalisation of Climateworks’ vision, ensuring the implementation of the strategic plan. This includes leading people and culture, income generation and diversification and developing and managing the $22-$25m organisational budget and your own units’ expenditure budget.

You will provide direct leadership to a team of 4-5, and oversee up to 16-20, in the delivery of high-level, professional services to achieve priorities and initiatives. In addition, you will develop and maintain networks with key stakeholders, building alliances to support the development of funding opportunities and professional development, recruitment, and retention. You will also oversee the collection of statistical data to analyse current trends and practices to align objectives and develop marketing material and data. The role is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Skills Required

You are a sophisticated strategic values-based leader and stakeholder manager operating at a senior level in a similar operational role in a large and complex organisation. Your work includes championing, adding value, operational excellence, and sustainability to corporate services practices and models including finance, P&C, whilst nurturing high performance teams. You bring equivalent qualifications, and ideally knowledge around the nuances of sector specific income generation and maintaining an excellent people culture through leadership, behaviour and development initiatives, and you have been integral in supporting and ensuring organisational excellence.

With a genuine interest and passion for a net-zero emissions future and social change methods, and commitment to a diverse, equitable and inclusive working environment, you can demonstrate a history of success in:

• Substantial operations transformation and change management leadership
• Overseeing and ensuring sound financial, forecasting, risk analysis and management
• Financial reporting to senior leadership teams and/or a board
• Significantly developing high-performance teams, leading P&C, and creating strong employee brands
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, ability to negotiate, influence, and build consensus
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear and succinct reports, proposals or submissions and an ability to represent the organisation in senior governance

If you are a skilled COO who wants to leverage their operations leadership expertise to support Climateworks’ mission to reach a net zero carbon future, please apply by sending your resume and a cover letter responding to the skills and experience above quoting # 1158020, or call Lois Freeke at NGO Recruitment on 03 8080 8978 to discuss your interest.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, if you are interested, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

NGO Recruitment values equitable recruitment practices and is committed to representing candidates reflective of the diverse organisations and communities we work with. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages, and identities, and are happy to adjust our recruitment process to support accessibility needs. If you are interested in this position and have most of the skills or experience we are looking for, please go ahead and apply.