Chief Operating Officer

The Organisation

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) represents the Traditional Owners of Wadawurrung Country and plays a vital role in caring for Country, protecting cultural heritage, and advancing the rights and interests of Wadawurrung People.

As a Registered Aboriginal Party, WTOAC is grounded in culture, community and self-determination. Guided by its Wadawurrung country plan, Paleert Tjaara Dja – Let’s make Country good together 2020–2030, the organisation continues to grow in scale and capability, strengthening how it supports community, delivers services and builds a sustainable future for Wadawurrung People.

The Role

Based in Ballarat or Geelong and reporting to the Co-CEO's, the Chief Operating Officer is a key member of the executive team, working closely with leadership to ensure the organisation operates effectively, both day to day and into the future.

This is a broad and meaningful role, with oversight across finance, people and capability, governance, IT, cultural heritage, Caring for Country, engagement and commercial activity. Bringing these areas together, you will support teams to work in a connected, consistent and culturally aligned way.

At its core, the role is about creating the conditions for success, strengthening systems, supporting leaders and enabling the organisation to continue to grow in line with its strategic direction. You will play a central role in ensuring WTOAC operates in a way that is sustainable, accountable and grounded in Wadawurrung values.

The Right Person

You are an experienced senior leader who is comfortable working across complexity, bringing clarity, structure and direction where it’s needed most. You’ve likely operated at COO, Executive Director or General Manager level, and have experience leading diverse teams and functions within evolving organisations.

You bring strong financial and organisational capability, along with a track record of strengthening systems, governance and performance. Your leadership style is collaborative and grounded, you build trust, support others to succeed and bring people together around shared goals. Experience within purpose-led, not-for-profit, public sector or community centered environments will be highly regarded, particularly working in purpose-led settings.

Importantly, you approach your work with genuine respect for Aboriginal culture and Wadawurrung community, along with a clear commitment to self-determination. You lead with integrity and sound judgement and are able to operate in a culturally grounded environment where listening, learning and connection matter.

The Benefits

This is a rare opportunity to take on a purpose-led executive role with meaningful impact for Wadawurrung People and Country.

You’ll have the chance to help shape a growing, culturally grounded organisation, working across a broad leadership portfolio.

Key benefits include:

• A values-driven, culturally grounded working environment
• Broad operational scope across people, systems and strategy
• Executive influence across a diverse and growing organisation
• Purpose-led work with real impact on Country and community
• The opportunity to contribute to long-term, meaningful outcomes in the region
• Rewarding remuneration and benefits, including salary packaging & additional annual leave

The Next Steps

For further details and a confidential discussion, please contact Zoe Allan on 0417 558 531 or ***email_hidden***.

Applications Close: 5pm, Wednesday, June 17, 2026

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