The organisation
Ability First Australia Community Housing Limited (AFACHL) is a not-for-profit Specialist Disability Accommodation provider, wholly owned, managed and governed by Ability First Australia.
Ability First Australia is Australia's largest disability services alliance, bringing together 25 leading not for profit providers across every state and territory.
Collectively, its members deliver approximately $3 billion in services and support each year.
AFACHL currently manages a national property portfolio valued at approximately $16 million to $18 million.
With a robust member network, an emerging development pipeline and ambitions to grow the portfolio toward $50 million, AFACHL is entering an important new phase of expansion and maturity.
The opportunity
Reporting to the CEO of Ability First Australia, working closely with the AFACHL Board and joining the broader Ability First Australia leadership team, the Chief Operating Officer will lead the strategic growth and operational performance of AFACHL.
Supported by a Property and Tenancy Manager, external property managers and specialist partners, the COO will:
Develop and deliver a national growth strategy, building a strong pipeline of SDA acquisition and development opportunities
Drive portfolio performance across occupancy, tenancy, property, asset management and participant experience
Lead financial modeling, funding, capital partnerships and commercial decision making to support sustainable growth
Strengthen governance, compliance, risk management and reporting while building the systems and capability required for scale
This is a highly visible and hands on leadership role.




The successful candidate will be expected to build relationships, evaluate opportunities and personally drive projects from early concept through to delivery.
About you
You will be an entrepreneurial and commercially capable executive who can move comfortably between strategy and delivery.
You will bring:
Senior leadership experience across SDA, community housing, property investment or development, disability, retirement living, aged care or a related sector
Strong commercial and financial capability, including investment analysis, property feasibility, funding structures and portfolio performance
Experience developing partnerships with investors, developers, service providers, government and community stakeholders
A sound understanding of governance, risk and regulatory obligations within a complex or highly regulated environment
A practical, collaborative leadership style and the energy to build an organisation through its next stage of growth
An understanding of the SDA market and NDIS operating environment will be highly regarded.
Equally important will be a clear commitment to participant choice, quality housing and better long-term outcomes for people with disability.
What's on Offer
The opportunity to shape and lead AFACHL's next major phase of national growth
A portfolio with an established foundation and a clear ambition to scale toward $50 million
Direct access to the Ability First Australia CEO, AFACHL Board and national member network
The chance to combine commercial leadership with meaningful social impact
Genuine scope to shape the future operating model, partnerships and internal capability
A flexible national location, with regular interstate travel required
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📌 Chief Operating Officer, Specialist Disability Accommodation (New South Wales)
🏢 Orchard Talent Group
📍 New South Wales