_{15th April, 2026}

The Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC) is looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our Executive team. This pivotal vacancy arises as our valued incumbent relocates to New Zealand after a successful 3.5-year tenure.
  
You will bring strategic thinking and a collaborative mindset in translating our strategic vision into operational reality. You will lead, inspire and support  cross-functional teams ensuring our programs, services and systems deliver dignified, trauma-informed support to people seeking asylum. Your work will directly contribute to meaningful and systemic change. 

About Us:

The Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC) is a place of welcome and provides practical and personal support for people living in the community who are seeking asylum. ASC was founded in 1993 by a community of people with human rights values which still underpin our work today. We are a not-for-profit organisation, relying on philanthropic grants, individual donations, some state government support, a dedicated team of professional staff and a network of amazing volunteers to undertake our work.
  
ASC’s main Centre is in Newtown, however, we often work from other locations across the Greater Sydney area.

 
Your Impact Reporting directly to the CEO, you will hold primary responsibility for:

•  Strategic Leadership & Operations: Overseeing service delivery, IT infrastructure, and People & Culture and enabling integration and optimisattion of corporate services to enable cohesive and cost effective service delivery with strong experience in leading change initiatives  
    
    
• Culture & Leadership: Championing ASC’s values and fostering a resilient, inclusive, and high-performing workplace across both paid and volunteer workforce influencing long term sustainability.
    
    
•  Systems & Risk: Leading digital transformation, cybersecurity, and risk management to enhance data integrity and service impact.
    
    
•  Governance: Providing high-quality insights, and data informed decision making and reporting to the CEO and Board.
    
       
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating on advocacy campaigns and strengthening relationships with government and sector partners.
    
  About You
• You are an experienced leader with a can-do mindset and a commitment to social justice. You excel at coaching multi-disciplinary teams through complex environments and have a knack for reengineering systems to improve outcomes.

Essential Criteria:

• 5–7 years of senior leadership experience within the NFP, Human Rights, or Social Justice sectors with strong business acumen.
• Proven Executive Management: Experience managing diverse portfolios and complex service delivery.
• Trauma-Informed Focus: Ability to implement person-centred, culturally sensitive, and strengths-based strategies.
• People leadership: Leading multi disciplinary teams to achieve excellence in service delivery balancing empathy and accountability
• Technical Savvy: High proficiency in CRM systems and digital infrastructure (Google Suite/Trello knowledge is a plus).
• Strategic Acumen: Strong understanding of change management, financial oversight, and social impact measurement.

Desirable Criteria:

• Lived experience as a refugee or person seeking asylum is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and oversight of volunteer workforces

What's on offer: 

• Competitive salary with tax effective salary packaging benefits that boost your take home pay pay  
• Work life balance & flexibility: Benefit from a flexible working environment with options for hybrid/remote work 
• Attractive location, close to public transport  

How to Apply:

If you are a resourceful leader ready to drive systemic change and operational excellence, we would love to hear from you.
For a confidential discussion, please contact hr@asylumseekerscentre.org.au 

Apply with your cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria and your CV to hr@asylumseekerscentre.org.au by Sunday 26 April 2026.

Early applications are encouraged as we will begin reviewing and shortlisting applications as they are received.  

The Asylum Seekers Centre is an equal opportunity employer. Please advise hr@asylumseekerscentre.org.au should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process.  

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