The Opportunity
Eden Ritchie Recruitment is proud to partner with the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) in the appointment of an accomplished Chief Operating Officer to join its Executive Leadership Team.

NAIF is a Federal Government development financier with a $7 billion financing facility, supporting infrastructure investment and economic growth across Northern Australia. With more than $4.4 billion committed across 33 investments, NAIF operates at the intersection of government, finance and commercial investment, delivering long-term benefits to regional communities and economies.

This is a significant opportunity for a commercially astute executive to combine strategic influence, financial leadership and broad corporate responsibility within an organisation delivering nationally important outcomes.

The Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for providing strategic direction, leading and managing all operational activities for the organisation.

This is a key role for a senior, commercially-minded executive who will be a member of the Executive team, working closely with the CEO to drive key strategic initiatives and ensuring the business operates efficiently and effectively, as well as providing key support to the NAIF Board.

As a trusted adviser to the CEO and Board, you will provide informed commercial and financial advice, contribute to strategic decision-making and lead initiatives that strengthen organisational performance, accountability and operational effectiveness.

Leading a multi-functional team, you will be responsible for government departmental liaison, finance, audit, loan administration, travel, property, procurement, IT, corporate reporting,



and performance reporting related to portfolio management including reporting of investment analytics.

You will also provide oversight of technology, information management and emerging digital priorities, including cyber security, data governance and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.

Operating within a lean, commercially oriented organisation, success requires an executive who can balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, navigate complex government requirements and take ownership of challenging or unfamiliar issues.

About You
You are an accomplished executive with strong commercial acumen, financial leadership and broad corporate experience, ideally gained across both commercial and government-related environments.

Pragmatic, adaptable and solutions-focused, you bring sound judgement, personal accountability and the confidence to make decisions and deliver outcomes. You will be equally comfortable providing strategic direction and working through the detail when required.

You will demonstrate:

- Significant executive in a COO/CFO role or equivalent senior leadership position within government or a comparable commercial workplace.
- Leadership experience across finance, corporate operations and organisational performance, supported by strong commercial judgement.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate complex governance, compliance and reporting requirements, ideally within government, financial services or a similarly regulated environment.




- Broad technology and information management knowledge, with the ability to lead transformational IT projects.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, influence senior stakeholders and deliver outcomes through effective leadership, initiative and problem-solving.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a high degree of personal trustworthiness, discretion, and integrity.
- Experience supporting and serving as an adviser to the CEO, to the Board and the Executive Team.

Relevant tertiary or professional qualifications, including CA or CPA, and Commonwealth Government experience are highly regarded. Candidates may bring different combinations of financial, commercial and government experience, with demonstrated judgement, adaptability, and the ability to quickly understand and navigate complex requirements being particularly important.

Australian citizenship and eligibility to obtain the required security clearance are essential.

Why Join NAIF?
This is an opportunity to influence the direction and performance of an organisation combining commercial discipline with a strong public purpose. Working closely with the CEO and Board, you will contribute to nationally significant infrastructure investment.

Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified executives nationally who are prepared to relocate.

Apply Now
If you are a commercially astute CFO, COO or senior corporate executive seeking a broader leadership opportunity, we welcome your interest.

For a confidential discussion or further information, please contact Kim Ritchie on 0412 156 920 or email [email protected].

For more information, please visit https://edenritchie.com.au/chief-operating-officer-naif/

Applications close 5pm Wednesday 25th November 2026

📌 Chief Operating Officer (Cairns)
🏢 Eden Ritchie Recruitment
📍 Cairns