Operations Manager

Operations Manager (half-time position)

Salary $47,500 (pro-rata of $95,000)

We are looking for an experienced person to join the team as Operations Manager. Answering to the Executive Director, the ideal candidate will have a relevant business degree and a minimum five years' experience in a similar role with an emphasis on compliance and systems improvement. They will have high accuracy for the important details and an ability to see the longer -term needs so the organisation meets ever higher standards of operation to support our amazing mission.

Local Leaders partners with around five hundred evangelical Bible Colleges in over fifty countries in the developing world which have over 100,000 Christian leaders in training. The Local Leaders’ vision is to transform communities and countries through an authentic local expression of the Christian Church. This is done by training biblically equipped and pastorally competent church leaders, evangelists, and church planters in each region. We are committed to the whole enterprise of theological education, from the doctorate-qualified writers of the textbooks to grass roots pastor training in rural areas. We provide friendship, funding and catalytic consulting services to many of the leading evangelical theological colleges in the Pacific, Asia, Middle East, and Africa.

Local Leaders has a revenue of $2-3 million per annum and we need someone to lead our busy back-office.

Purpose of position

The Operations Manager is responsible for the effective, compliant and efficient operation of Local Leaders. The position supports the Executive Director by providing leadership across organisational governance, risk and compliance, people management, business systems and administration.

The position is accountable for:

1. Ensuring Local Leaders meets its legal, regulatory, governance and membership obligations.
2. Supporting effective Board and Audit & Risk Committee oversight through timely reporting, sound advice, accurate records, follow-up of agreed actions, and acting as the executive officer of the Audit and Risk Committee.
3. Maintaining effective risk management, policies, operational controls, systems and business processes
4. Leading and developing direct reports and coordinating the work of key service providers
5. Driving continuous improvement so that Local Leaders’ resources and operations effectively support its mission and strategic priorities.

Location

Online - Local Leaders staff work at home and we rent meeting spaces as needed in the greater Sydney area. Regular contact will be made with the Executive Director and other staff through MS Teams. We all meet online weekly for prayer and updates on Tuesday afternoon.

In Person - We have three staff days throughout the year in Sydney, in person, and have two three-day staff conferences (Feb & Sept/Oct) each year usually held in the NSW region within 2-hours drive or train from Sydney. The candidate can reside anywhere in Australia.

To be successful the ideal candidate will possess the following attributes and skills:

1. A mature Christian faith and a strong and growing relationship with the Lord.
2. An appreciation of the ministry of Local Leaders.
3. A minimum of five years' experience in operations leadership.
4. A working knowledge of accounting software for small to medium sized organisations.
5. Solid experience in general office administration and electronic document filing including a high level of computer literacy and keyboard skills.
6. An ability to manage multiple tasks and flexibly respond to sometimes changing priorities.
7. Ability to work independently at home under overall supervision, and collaboratively as a member of the team.
8. Competent online communication and interpersonal skills.
9. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (especially Outlook and Excel), Teams, and a working knowledge of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
10. Ability to attend in-person staff days and conferences in the greater Sydney area.
11. Sense of humour, energetic, positive attitude.

Hours of work

This role is half-time and may be worked over 3, 4 or 5 days. Seasonal fluctuation in the work means we will be looking for someone who has capacity to work more during the busy times leading up to the four board meetings and the several Audit and Risk Committee meetings and then work less in the quieter times.

With negotiation, it will be possible to take Time Off in Lieu during some of the school holidays on top of annual leave.

Remuneration

$47,500 pa (pro-rata of $95,000)

Statutory superannuation and leave benefits.

A laptop and office equipment will be provided.

Applications close 5pm Monday 16^th November 2026.

It is anticipated that the successful candidate would start on Tuesday 19^th January 2026 for a one-month handover.

Apply to Rev Dr Stuart Brooking, Executive Director.

Provide a cover letter addressing:

1. The role and your relevant attributes including why you are attracted to working for Local Leaders
2. Attach a CV (in Word or PDF),
3. Include a minimum of two referees from your recent employment.
4. One additional referee who is a leader at your church.

 Send to office@localleaders.org.au