Director Strategy & Operations, Office of the Chief Operating Officer

Make a real difference
Be part of one of Victoria’s leading not-for-profits and help create meaningful change in the community every day.

Location

Box Hill

Work type

Full-time, Ongoing

Schedule

Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Salary

Competitive Salary + Tax reducing salary package

Working model

Hybrid

A little bit about you
You are a polished, proactive and trusted partner who can work with senior leaders, juggle competing priorities and get things done through influence. You bring sound judgement, independent thinking, a commitment to follow-through and a genuine connection to mission-led work.
More specifically you will have:

Demonstrated experience providing senior executive, strategic coordination or portfolio management support in a complex organisation
Experience coordinating governance forums, executive reporting, business planning, performance reporting and priority initiatives
Demonstrated ability to work with senior leaders, manage competing priorities and progress work through influence rather than direct authority
Understanding of executive governance, operational performance, risk management, financial sustainability and organisational planning
Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to prepare concise executive briefings, papers and presentations
Strong organisational, analytical and attention-to-detail skills, with high emotional intelligence and discretion
Confidence using Microsoft Office, Teams, SharePoint and reporting or project management tools
Relevant tertiary qualifications in a commercial discipline, business management, property, social science, community management or a related field (postgraduate qualifications in business management or leadership are advantageous)
Experience across operational portfolios or service delivery environments such as retail, commercial, property, housing or community services is highly regarded, as is knowledge of the not-for-profit, membership or volunteer sector

About the role
The Director, Strategy & Operations works in close partnership with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to translate organisational strategy into coordinated delivery across the COO portfolio. This is a trusted senior counterpart role, providing strategic advice, leading agreed cross-portfolio priorities and strengthening planning, governance and performance across areas such as retail, commercial operations, supply chain, property, fleet, housing, partnerships and development.
You will exercise independent judgement, resolve matters within agreed authority and represent the COO on nominated initiatives and in delegated forums. Working with discretion and initiative, you will ensure priorities are progressed and support clear accountability, performance discipline and effective communication across the portfolio.
Want the full details? View the Position Description here

Key responsibilities

Support the COO to establish and maintain a clear portfolio operating rhythm, including planning cycles, governance forums, decision points and follow-up mechanisms
Coordinate portfolio priorities and ensure alignment with the Strategic Plan, operating model and financial sustainability objectives
Prepare high-quality briefings, papers and decision-support material for the COO, as well as for Executive, Board and committee meetings
Coordinate portfolio performance reporting, working with Finance, Strategy, Data Insights and Technology to deliver accurate, timely insights
Progress priority projects, transformation activities and operational improvement initiatives, including planning, dependencies and implementation follow-through
Act as a trusted point of coordination between the COO, portfolio leaders, Executive colleagues and key stakeholders, and represent the COO office in meetings and working groups
Manage confidential, time-critical matters with discretion, and identify and escalate operational, financial, reputational and people risks

Why join Vinnies?

Not for profit salary packaging – increases your take-home pay
Make an impact – support over 300,000 Victorians each year
Flexible work options – including hybrid opportunities (where applicable)
Supportive culture – family-friendly and values-driven
Purpose-led work – contribute to social justice every day

About us
For more than 170 years the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria has been providing practical and compassionate support to people across Victoria who are doing it tough, whether that's struggling to put food on the table, pay for essentials, keep children at school, or keep a roof over their head. We help people from crisis through to rebuilding their lives with stability, dignity and hope. We believe every human life has inherent worth.
The St Vincent de Paul Society and its wide network of members and volunteers provide practical frontline support, advocacy and friendship for the most vulnerable members of our community. Key services include home visitation; Vinnies Shops; youth programs; soup vans; assistance for asylum seekers and refugees; education and tutoring; and professional accommodation and health services through VincentCare and community and social housing through VincentCare Community Housing. The St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria has more than 11,000+ members and volunteers. Internationally, the Society operates in 149 countries and more than 950,000 members.

Want to know more?

www.vinnies.org.au/vic

/VinniesVictoria

/VinniesVictoria

LinkedIn – Vinnies Victoria

@VinniesVictoria

How to apply
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, we’d love to hear from you.
Please submit:

Your CV
A short cover letter outlining your suitability

Applications close: 11th October 2026
Please note: applications will be reviewed as they are received and the role may close earlier. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Important information

Pre-employment checks are required (including National Police Check, Working With Children Check and right to work)
We are committed to child safety
We value diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all backgrounds

No agencies please.

Where good happens #Goodworks