Chief Operating Officer

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Applications close midnight, Friday 21st November 2025

Overview

Healthy rural, remote and First Nations communities through excellence, social accountability and innovation.

About Us

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Limited (ACRRM) is an accredited specialty medical college responsible for setting and maintaining professional standards for specialist general practitioners and rural generalists in Australia.

Nationally, ACRRM has more than 6,000 members, including Fellows, trainees and associate members, who live and work in rural, remote and First Nations communities across Australia. Members provide expert front line medical care in a diverse range of settings including general practices, hospitals, emergency departments, Aboriginal health services and other remote settings such as RFDS and the Australian Antarctic Division.

ACRRM’s core business is training and assessing specialist general practitioners for a rural generalist scope of practice, setting clinical standards for rural generalist practice; and support and advocacy services for rural, remote and First Nations communities and the health teams that serve them. Its vision is “Healthy rural, remote and First Nations communities through excellence, social accountability and innovation”.

The company’s headquarters is located in Brisbane, Queensland although the majority of staff work flexibly from state, regional or rural locations across the country. ACRRM offices are also located in Adelaide, Perth, Bunbury, Bendigo, Wodonga, Bairnsdale, Rockhampton, Townsville, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin.

Find Out More

Our Vision

Healthy rural, remote and First Nations communities through excellence, social accountability and innovation.

Our Values

About the Role

Chief Operating Officer

Download Position Description

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you are responsible for working with the CEO and Board to set the strategic direction and vision for ACRRM, and effectively leading the organisation to ensure its long term performance, success and viability.

Your Accountabilities

Key accountabilities of the role include:

Strategic Leadership

Work with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to develop and execute ACRRM’s strategic plan, ensuring that all departments and divisions are aligned with the College’s strategic goals.
Translate the College’s strategic direction into clear operational plans, priorities and deliverables and ensure cohesive and collaborative delivery across all operational programs and portfolios.
Report updates to the Board regarding progress on strategic goals as required.

Operational Excellence

Lead the development, monitoring, and reporting of annual business and operational plans aligned to the strategic plan.
Oversee the effective delivery of College programs, events and member services.
Identify, track and report on operational measures of success and performance targets and ensure they are achieved across all programs and portfolios.
Work in collaboration with the Leadership Team to develop consistent processes, streamline operations, adopt best practices, and minimise costs across the organisation.
Allocate resources, including capital, personnel, and technology, to ensure that ACRRM is operating efficiently and effectively.
Shape the strategic and operational alignment of teams, systems and reporting, through effective workforce planning.
Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes, and service delivery to enhance member experience and engagement.
Ensure data-driven decision-making supports quality, efficiency, and accountability across all operational areas.

Financial Management:

Oversee financial planning and budget execution across operational areas, to ensure the sustainable and efficient use of College resources.
Secure new and diverse funding opportunities for the business
Monitor and report on the financial performance of programs and operations, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
Foster a culture of accountability, commercial acumen and prudent financial management across teams and business units.
Drive value, growth and profitability across operational areas.

People, Culture and Capability Development:

Build, develop and lead a strong leadership team, providing guidance and support and development opportunities.
Clearly communicate the vision and operational and budget objectives and inspire collective ownership across the organisation.
Ensure structures, policies, and development programs enable staff to deliver high-quality services to members and stakeholders.
Implement succession planning, to ensure continuity of leadership, skills and capability across ACRRM.
Define, promote and embed the College’s culture, values and ethical standards.
Manage the performance and development of team members, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and performance-driven culture
Work with the ELT to develop and build organisational capability and performance and to retain and attract talent across all levels of the business.
Champion a culture of collaboration, respect, continuous improvement, and commitment to the College’s values.

Governance, Risk and Compliance

Oversee the identification and management of risks that could impact the College’s performance, reputation, or long-term viability.
Oversee risk management systems and business continuity planning to safeguard College operations.
Ensure operational and program delivery complies with relevant legislation, accreditation standards, and regulatory frameworks.
Support the CEO and Board in meeting governance responsibilities and safeguarding organisational integrity.
Promote a culture of integrity and ethical behaviour throughout the organisation, leading by example and ensuring that the company’s practices align with its values.

Organisational Change and Transformation

Lead organisational initiatives to modernise systems, improve governance and strengthen member experience and stakeholder engagement.
Oversee coordination and operational delivery of change and transformation programs
Ensure communication, consultation, and implementation processes support employee and stakeholder adoption.

Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with key sector partners, including senior state and Commonwealth health department representatives, ministers and advisors and professional bodies.
Represent the College and champions its expertise and position on key matters, across national and state forums and advisory groups.
Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships across all levels of ACRRM.

What Success Looks Like

The key qualifications, experience and skills required for the role include:

Qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in business administration, health management, or a related discipline.
Post-graduate qualifications strongly preferred.

Experience

Experience in a senior leadership or executive role, ideally as a COO, General Manager, or similar.
Proven experience in overseeing complex program budgets, managing financial and operational risk, and ensuring sustainable organisational performance.
Understanding of the Australian health system, medical training frameworks and the policy environment in which specialist medical colleges operate.

Key Skills

Demonstrated success in leading organisational operations and translating strategic goals into actionable business and service delivery outcomes in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Proven ability to design, implement, and monitor organisational performance frameworks, business plans, and operational reporting processes that inform executive and Board decision-making.
Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of leading and developing teams and creating and building a positive culture that drives performance and outcomes.
Comprehensive understanding of corporate and not-for-profit governance principles, risk management, and compliance obligations.
Demonstrated ability to engage, influence and build collaborative relationships with sector stakeholders and partners, staff, the community and the Board.
Proven experience leading organisation-wide transformation or major reform initiatives.
Excellent problem-solving skills with the capacity for agile, proactive and innovative thinking.

How to Apply

To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:

A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on how you align with the core accountabilities outlined in the role statement below.
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.

If you need assistance with your application please reach out to us.

Apply Now

Applications close midnight, Friday 21st November 2025