Chief Operating Officer

• Executive Leadership role – Ballarat based
• Lead service delivery in a highly regulated and compliance driven environment
• A values driven organisation, make a real impact in enriching children’s lives through learning

The Eureka Community Kindergarten Association Inc. (ECKA) is a not-for-profit Early Years Management (EYM) organisation that was founded in 2003 when six community kindergartens came together to establish the organisation. ECKA is committed to providing leadership and management to community-based early childhood education and care services, operating 29 early education and care services across Ballarat and surrounding local government areas, with a current workforce of 220.

ECKA is built on the values of respect, compassion, courage, and collaboration, which are lived out in their purpose of Enriching children’s lives through learning. ECKA achieves this by delivering high-quality education and care services for children in their early years, and by working in partnership to identify, develop, and deliver services that meet the needs of families and communities. ECKA is deeply committed to child safety, ensuring every child is safe, protected, and respected, upholding the highest standards of safety and wellbeing.

The Role

The newly created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) will take responsibility for ensuring the effective implementation of the organisation’s strategic direction through robust operational and workforce leadership. Focused on aligning service delivery with the organisation’s purpose, values, and strategic plan, the role has a strong operational and human resources focus, ensuring high quality and sustainable service delivery in a highly regulated and compliance driven environment.

Working in partnership with the CEO, the COO will be an experienced leader, who has expertise in navigating an ever-evolving, growing and complex sector, hence the need for well developed skills in workforce planning and development. You will play a pivotal role in governance support, to ensure compliance, risk management, and organisational performance.

Key areas of responsibility will include:

• Strategic and Operational Leadership
• Service Delivery and Operations
• People and Culture
• Business Management and Sustainability
• Governance and Compliance
• Representation and Stakeholder Engagement

About You
As a strong leader with experience and qualifications aligned with executive responsibilities in complex service- based organisations, you will be energised by strategic and change leadership. You’ll be able to demonstrate a proven track record in managing large, regionally dispersed teams and coaching, mentoring and developing people to build high performing teams will come naturally to you. Strong financial and business management skills, being commercially astute and a champion for collaboration will hold you in high regard. The ability to build effective partnerships, communicate and influence at all levels, innovate and think differently are essential skills for success in this role.

Alignment with ECKA’s purpose and values is essential. Experience within the early childhood education is preferred but not essential.

To be considered for this role you must hold or be willing to obtain:

• Current Victorian Driver’s Licence
• Cleared National Police Record Check
• Valid employer Working with Children Check
• Right to work in Australia

Why join ECKA?
If you are seeking a role where you can genuinely make a difference and enrich children’s lives through learning, while influencing and advocating in a constantly evolving sector, this is the role for you. You’ll join a team who are passionate about what they do. ECKA are invested in the professional development of their people and are a supportive and collaborative workplace. A salary package (base salary plus super) will be negotiated with the successful candidate commensurate with skills and experience.

Inspired? For further information, contact Ange Connor on 0407 833 152. To download a copy of the position description, please click the Download Position Description button below.
To apply, please send your application letter and current resume to admin@inspirehq.com.au by close of business Monday 13th October 2025.