Chief Operating Officer (COO)

EllieB's Disability Services | South Australia

Lead strategy. Drive operational excellence. Change lives.

EllieB's Disability Services is seeking an experienced and values-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our Executive Leadership Team and help shape the future of disability services across South Australia.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior operational leader who combines strategic thinking, commercial acumen, strong governance capability, and a passion for delivering high-quality outcomes for people with disability.

About Us

EllieB's is a registered not-for-profit and NDIS provider supporting people with developmental disabilities, including autism and intellectual disability, across South Australia. Our organisation is governed by a carer-led Board and is committed to delivering person-centred, safe, and innovative supports that enable people to live full and rich lives.

We pride ourselves on being:

- Switched On - participant-focused in everything we do

- Savvy - innovative, adaptable and solutions-focused

- Secure - committed to safety, quality and excellence in service delivery

About the Role

Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all service streams across the organisation. From time to time the COO will be deputised as acting CEO.

Leading a team of senior leaders, you will oversee multi-site, 24/7 disability service operations while ensuring exceptional participant outcomes, workforce engagement, regulatory compliance, and financial sustainability.

This role is integral to translating organisational strategy into operational success and building a culture of accountability, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

- Deliver Board and CEO strategic priorities.

- Drive operational performance, growth,



occupancy and service sustainability.

- Monitor financial performance, budgets, utilisation and business outcomes.

- Strengthen governance, risk management and organisational accountability.

- Lead business improvement initiatives using data and performance insights.

Service Delivery & Clinical Governance

- Ensure secure, high-quality and person-centred support services.

- Oversee complex disability, behavioural and high-intensity support operations.

- Embed positive behaviour support and restrictive practice governance.

- Drive quality outcomes aligned with best practice and human rights principles.

Compliance, Risk & Safeguarding

- Maintain audit-ready operations and regulatory compliance.

- Lead incident management, investigations and safeguarding responses.

- Strengthen organisational quality systems and continuous improvement frameworks.

- Oversee WHS, psychosocial safety and enterprise risk management.

- Available to take urgent safety and compliance related calls.

People Leadership & Culture

- Develop and lead high-performing operational teams.

- Drive workforce capability, succession planning and leadership development.

- Foster a psychologically safe, values-based and accountable culture.

- Build trusted relationships with participants, families, guardians, regulators and key stakeholders.

About You

You are an accomplished executive leader with significant experience in the leading complex disability, community services, health, aged care or human services operations.

You bring





- Extensive knowledge of NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators.

- Demonstrated success managing large-scale operations and multidisciplinary teams.

- Strong commercial and financial management capability.

- Experience leading audits, compliance systems, safeguarding and quality frameworks.

- Expertise supporting individuals with complex, behavioural and high-intensity needs.

- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

- A proven ability to lead change, improve performance and build organisational capability.

- High levels of integrity, resilience, professionalism and executive judgement.

Essential Qualifications & Requirements

- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Human Services, Disability, Psychology, Social Work, Allied Health, Nursing, Business or a related field.

- Current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance.

- Working with Children Check.

- National Police Check.

- Current Australian Driver's Licence.

- Legal right to work in Australia.

Postgraduate qualifications in business, governance, leadership or executive management will be highly regarded.

Why Join EllieB's?

- Executive leadership role with genuine organisational influence.

- Opportunity to shape future service delivery and growth.

- Work closely with a supportive CEO and carer-led Board.

- Values-driven not-for-profit organisation.

- Make a meaningful difference to the lives of people with disability and their families.

- Attractive executive remuneration package commensurate with experience.

How to Apply To request a Candidate Information Pack or submit an application, please provide:

- A cover letter addressing your suitability for the role.

- Current resume.

- Contact details for three professional referees.

Applications will be assessed as received.

📌 Chief Operating Officer (COO) (Wayville)
🏢 EBL Disability Services
📍 Wayville