Human Nature – Head of Operations
Location: Ballina, NSW & Northern Rivers Region
Work Type: Full-Time or Part-Time (0.8 – 1.0 FTE by negotiation)
Remuneration: SCHADS Award Level 8 + Above-Award Negotiable Margin + Salary Packaging Benefits
Help build the future of youth mental health.
Human Nature works with young people aged 14–18 who are navigating complex life circumstances, significant distress, and barriers that make clinic based services difficult to access.
For the past decade, we’ve been supporting young people experiencing trauma, adversity and mental health challenges through an innovative mobile, outreach model that meets young people where they feel safe and motivated to engage. Today, Human Nature is a Nationally Accredited, independently evaluated youth mental health organisation, with growing demand, strong outcomes and ambitious plans for scale.
The Role
We are looking for an exceptional Head of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you’ll be the go-to executive anchor for our operational, financial, and human resources architecture.
This is more than just an operations role—it is an opportunity to lead with deep purpose. By taking ownership of our day-to-day infrastructure, systems optimisation, and risk mitigation, you will create the stable, scalable conditions that allow our frontline clinical team to focus on what they do best: delivering life-changing, nature-based therapy for young people across the Northern Rivers.
If you are a strategic operator who thrives in a dynamic growth phase and wants your professional acumen to make a profound social impact, this is your next career chapter.
The Responsibilities
As the Head of Operations, you’ll play a pivotal role in:
Supporting scaling plans:
- Lead the development of scalable systems and processes to support organisational growth,
- Support strategic projects, business development opportunities and expansion initiatives
Financial, Infrastructure & Technology Management:
- Partner with the CEO and Finance team on budgeting, forecasting and financial performance
- Oversee operational contracts, procurement and vendor management
- Manage facilities, fleet, technology and operational logistics
- Ensure systems support staff mobility, service delivery and organisational impact measurement.
Strategic Planning & Operational Excellence
- Lead implementation of the Operational Plan and key strategic priorities
- Evaluate, design, and implement scalable internal workflows and processes (utilising tools like Monday.com and Employment Hero) to strengthen organisational capacity
- Build systems that support quality, safety, efficiency and scalability
- Develop performance dashboards and operational metrics
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organisation
- Work closely with the Manager, Clinical Services to ensure practitioners are supported to deliver exceptional outcomes
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Oversee risk management, compliance and organisational policies
- Lead WHS systems, incident management and continuous improvement processes
- Ensure Human Nature maintains the highest standards of governance and accountability
- Support Board Committees and organisational accreditation processes
- Monitor and mitigate operational risks in a dynamic service environment
People & Culture Leadership
- Build systems and practices that support a high-performing, connected and psychologically safe workplace
- Lead HR operations, workforce planning and performance development systems
- Support recruitment, onboarding, learning and development initiatives
- Help shape a culture where people can do meaningful work sustainably
The Successful Candidate
You’re more than just a manager – you’re a natural leader, a systems thinker, and a people-first problem solver. You bring a rare balance of commercial/structural execution and deep emotional intelligence.
You’ll bring:
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Demonstrated Success in Business Leadership: Extensive experience managing operations, finances, and HR infrastructure within the NGO, community services, or social health sectors (Essential).
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Change & Growth Management Capabilities: A proven track record of successfully guiding an organisation through an operational transition, scale-up, or capacity-building phase.
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Exceptional Technical Acumen: Deep familiarity with the SCHADS Award, complex budgeting, risk matrix frameworks, and integrated workforce management software (confidence in Employment Hero and Monday.com is highly desirable).
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High Emotional Intelligence: Outstanding interpersonal skills with a natural ability to coach, inspire, and retain top talent while maintaining a culture of accountability and mutual respect.
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Mandatory Compliance: A tertiary qualification in Business, HR, or a related field is highly regarded. A current National Police Check and Working with Children Check are mandatory conditions of employment.
Why Work for Us
Working at Human Nature means being part of something bigger. We are a nationally accredited, award-winning mental health organization with a warm, collaborative culture that celebrates innovation and radical accountability.
We offer:
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The Opportunity to Shape an Organisation: Lead our operations with a high degree of autonomy, bringing your ideas to a seat at the leadership table where your voice is genuinely valued and visible.
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An Unbeatable Location & Flexibility: Based in beautiful Ballina on the Far North Coast of NSW, we offer a flexible, hybrid-ready allocation (0.8 to 1.0 FTE) to support a genuine work-life balance.
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Competitive, Above-Award Compensation: A tailored Level 8 SCHADS packaging model with negotiable above-award recognition based on your unique executive experience.
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A Culture That Empowers: Join a deeply dedicated 13 FTE team where no two days are the same, and where your operational precision directly empowers young people to triumph over adversity and thrive.
Selection Criteria
Essential selection criteria
- Extensive experience in operations management within the NGO or community services sector, with a proven track record of supporting an organisation through a growth or change phase.
- Demonstrated experience in financial management (budgeting and reporting), and systems optimisation.
- Demonstrated experience in HR management, including recruitment, performance frameworks, and a solid understanding of the SCHADS Award and Fair Work Act.
- Strong experience in policy, WHS, and change and risk management, ideally within a high-risk environment (e.g., social services, health or outreach).
- Exceptional systems-thinking skills, with the ability to build and improve processes that scale.
- High-level interpersonal skills and experience managing people and culture during periods of transition.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise high-level judgment and contribute positively to team dynamics.
Desirable
- Tertiary qualifications in Business, Human Resources, or a related field.
- Confidence and skill using Employment Hero, Monday.com or equivalent HR/workflow management systems.
- Familiarity and confidence with ISO 31000:2018 risk management principles.
Mandatory All positions require current National Police and Working with Children Checks as a condition of employment.
How to apply:
Send your resume and cover letter addressing the criteria to office@humannature.org.au
