Shape the future of a business entering a new era of focus, alignment and opportunity!

SeaLink is preparing for a significant strategic shift as we realign our operating portfolio and sharpen our focus for the future. To support this next phase, we are seeking an outstanding Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead a newly defined operating division and ensure it is positioned for long-term success.

This newly structured role will oversee five business units and centralised operational functions, responsible for delivering essential marine services to key clients, stakeholders, island communities and visitors.

The COO will play a critical role in aligning the division to Group strategy, strengthening operational capability, and setting a clear vision for future performance, efficiency and growth, while driving smarter, technology-enabled and cost-effective ways of delivering results across a leaner portfolio.

The Opportunity

As COO, you will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple sites and diverse service environments.
• Lead and develop a team of General Managers, fostering a high-performance, safety-first culture.
• Oversee financial performance, operational delivery and continuous improvement across all business units.
• Ensure the division meets all contractual obligations while delivering exceptional customer service at every touchpoint.
• Guide the organisation through a period of transition, helping reset expectations, culture and ways of working as the portfolio evolves.
• Lead teams in adopting new technologies and data-driven tools, building capability and confidence to work smarter and more efficiently.
• Identify and execute growth opportunities, ensuring the operating model is robust, efficient and scalable.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including unions, community partners and government bodies.
• Champion safety, people leadership and operational excellence as core pillars of success.

About You

You are an experienced senior leader with a proven track record in complex, multi-site operational environments. You bring:

• Extensive experience in operations leadership, financial oversight and business performance management.
• Demonstrated success leading organisations through change, transformation and building high-performing environments.
• Strong capability in stakeholder engagement, including industrial relations and union environments.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into clear, actionable plans.
• Demonstrated commitment to innovation, with the ability to introduce and scale technologies (including AI) that enhance service delivery, safety and operational excellence.
• A leadership style that is positive, influential and grounded in accountability, collaboration and respect.
• Experience identifying and delivering growth opportunities while maintaining operational discipline.
• A commitment to safety, service excellence and continuous improvement.

This role will suit a leader who thrives in complexity, sees opportunity in change, and can inspire teams to deliver at their best. Industry background in operations, transport, marine is preferred.

We aim to provide meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities that are free from barriers, support and celebrate the diverse talents of our team members, improve awareness of the value of diversity and inclusion across our organisation, and enable our leaders to champion diversity and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTQIA+, people with disability and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.