Head of Operations, Quality and Governance
Older Women's Network NSW Inc – Sydney NSW
Full time
6d ago , from Illawarra Mercury Job Board
The Older Women's Network NSW (OWN NSW) is entering an important next chapter.
For nearly 40 years, we have worked with older women to challenge ageism, inequality, homelessness, violence and financial insecurity.
Today, our work combines influential public advocacy with practical initiatives in housing, employment, sexual violence prevention and community wellbeing.
We are seeking an experienced and values-led Head of Operations, Quality and Governance to ensure that the organisation behind this work is strong, responsive, dependable and accountable.
This is a ******* FTE, negotiable, classified at SCHADS Level 7.1 or 7.2 depending on experience.
The new position is initially offered on an 18-month contract, with the possibility of extension subject to funding.
This is a rare opportunity to join an enthusiastic, passionate team in an established, member-led organisation at a point of purposeful growth.
You will lead accreditation and continuous improvement, strengthen governance and people systems, bring coherence to contracts, risk and reporting, and help team members do their best work through processes that are clear, proportionate and effective.
An opportunity to shape what comes next
The Older Women's Network NSW (OWN NSW) is entering an important next chapter.
For nearly 40 years, we have worked with older women to challenge ageism, inequality, homelessness, violence and financial insecurity.
Today, our work combines influential public advocacy with practical initiatives in housing, employment, sexual violence prevention and community wellbeing.
We are seeking an experienced and values-led Head of Operations, Quality and Governance to ensure that the organisation behind this work is strong, responsive, dependable and accountable.
This is a ******* FTE, negotiable, classified at SCHADS Level 7.1 or 7.2 depending on experience.
The new position is initially offered on an 18-month contract, with the possibility of extension subject to funding.
This is a rare opportunity to join an enthusiastic, passionate team in an established, member-led organisation at a point of purposeful growth.
You will lead accreditation and continuous improvement, strengthen governance and people systems, bring coherence to contracts, risk and reporting, and help team members do their best work through processes that are clear, proportionate and effective.
About OWN NSW
Founded in ****,



OWN NSW is the peak body for older women and local Older Women's Network groups across New South Wales.
We are a feminist organisation grounded in the voices and lived experience of older women.
We work to ensure that older women are visible, valued and heard in public policy, and services.
Our statewide work is diverse: policy and advocacy, community and wellness programs, employment pathways for women aged 50 and over, innovative housing responses, and resources that improve the recognition of and response to violence against older women.
The role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Operations, Quality and Governance provides senior operational leadership across OWN NSW.
You will work closely with program leads, staff, the Board, finance providers and volunteers to turn organisational commitments into reliable practice.
The role is both organisational and hands-on.
On one day you may be shaping a quality framework or advising on risk; on another, improving a workflow, supporting a manager through a people matter or making sure a funding report is complete and defensible.
The common thread is sound judgement, clear systems and follow-through with a collegial approach.
We are not looking for this person to be the technical expert in every field.
We are looking for someone who can see the whole organisation, recognise when specialist advice is needed, and ensure that good advice is translated into sound, consistent practice.
What you will lead
Accreditation and quality:Lead OWN NSW's accreditation program and establish a practical, organisation-wide approach to quality and continuous improvement.
Governance, risk and safeguarding:Strengthen the systems that support sound decisions, visible risks, secure practice, privacy, complaints and incidents.
People and culture:Build consistent, fair and sustainable people processes from recruitment and induction through to supervision, development and performance.
Contracts and accountability:Bring funding obligations, reporting, acquittals and compliance deadlines into one coherent and reliable system.
Financial and operational insight:Work with finance staff and program leads to improve budget monitoring, identify emerging issues early and support well-informed decisions.




Organisational continuity:Document critical knowledge, clarify delegations and improve workflows so the organisation remains resilient as it grows and changes.
The person we are looking for
You are an operational leader who can move comfortably between the big picture and the detail.
You bring calm to complexity, ask good questions and close the loop.
You understand that strong systems are not about creating bureaucracy.
At their best, they make responsibilities clear, risks visible, work more sustainable and services better.
You will introduce rigour without losing the warmth, trust and collegiality that matter deeply in a small organisation.
You will bring:
Senior experience in operations, quality, governance, compliance or service management in a not-for-profit, community, health, social services or similarly regulated setting.
Demonstrated experience leading accreditation, quality assurance, audit readiness or a comparable whole-of-organisation improvement process.
Experience using a digital quality or compliance management platform to manage policies, evidence, actions and audit documentation.
Experience with Logiqc would be an advantage but is not essential.
A record of designing and embedding systems that people understand and use.
Highly developed relational leadership and people skills, grounded in generosity of spirit, kindness and respect.
Demonstrated ability to build trust within a small team, listen well, support colleagues through change, and address difficult or sensitive issues with fairness and clarity.
Strong working knowledge across risk, safeguarding, people processes, contracts, reporting and organisational compliance.
Sound financial literacy and confidence working with budgets, restricted funding and program performance information
Excellent judgement, discretion, written communication and follow-through.
A genuine commitment to equity and to the rights, dignity, autonomy and economic security of older women.
Why join OWN NSW?
A senior role with meaningful influence across the whole organisation.
The opportunity to build something lasting, not simply maintain what already exists.
Purpose-driven work connected directly to better outcomes for older women.
A varied portfolio spanning advocacy, community programs, housing, employment and violence prevention.
Access to $15,900 tax-free salary packaging.
If you are an experienced operational leader who combines rigour with warmth and wants to use your skills in service of older women, we would be delighted to hear from you.
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📌 Head Of Operations, Quality And Governance (New South Wales)
🏢 Older Women's Network NSW
📍 New South Wales