Chief Operating Officer

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is recognised in Australia and around the world as a leader in racing and event entertainment. Our vision is to provide an unrivalled experience with every visit and in every encounter.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key leadership role, collaborating with the executive team and Board to shape and implement strategies that enhance Victoria Racing Club's productivity and success. The COO oversees critical operations, ensuring they align to achieve strategic goals and uphold the VRC values. This role demands strategic vision, operational excellence, and a commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.

This role reports direct into the Chief Executive Officer and is based at our Flemington Precinct. We offer a hybrid way of working although we operate in the events/hospitality space and evening/weekend work will be required.

Areas of responsibility include - Strategy, Precinct Operations, Legal & Risk, People & Culture, Workforce Planning, Safety and Information Technology. It is a diverse portfolio, and we are looking for someone who is a strong leader who can get the best out of their team whilst staying focused on the operational needs on execution and delivery.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

Strategic Planning & Innovation

• Develop and execute departmental strategies aligned with the overall vision and long-term goals, ensuring exceptional customer experience and driving operational improvements.
• Collaborate with the CEO and C-suite to foster innovation and enhance operational capabilities that support business growth and member satisfaction.
• Translate strategy into actionable goals, driving performance, growth, and business-wide goal setting, performance management, and annual operating planning.

Operational Excellence

• Build effective relationships across the organisation, promoting collaboration between your department and others.
• Ensure VRC remains compliant with Legislative, Employment and Industry standards and regulations, and that these are documented, made available and communicated to employees.
• Establish metrics and reporting systems to track departmental performance with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Recommend and implement improvements to work practices and administration systems.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of standardised operational systems, structures, processes and performance metrics.
• Responsibility to manage the Precinct inclusive of the infrastructure/overlay/facilities and key contracts with our partners in Security and Cleaning.

IT Oversight

• Ensure the effective delivery of IT systems, cybersecurity, and technology solutions that drive operational efficiency and innovation.

Financial Management

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organisational objectives.

People & Culture Leadership

• Drive HR strategies, including talent management, organisational development, and employee engagement, to support a high-performing workforce.
• To support the workforce planning team to deliver their core goals in rostering, forecasting and planning workforce supply and demand, inclusive of our frontline casual events team.

Risk & Governance

• Ensure the organisation meets all legal and governance requirements, including those related to racing, health & safety, workplace relations, and financial reporting.
• Work with the CEO to prepare (and where required present) reports for the board and support board meetings.
• Develop and maintain robust risk management frameworks and calendars to protect VRC’s assets and reputation.

Qualifications

• 10 or more years in a similar Senior Operations role in a related industry.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in business administration or related field.
• Extensive experience developing and managing budgets and business plans.
• Superior negotiation skills for both internal and external purposes.
• Strong working knowledge of data analysis and performance metrics using business management software.
• Masterful organisational, communication, and leadership skills backed by previous professional success.
• Superior knowledge of multiple operational functions and principles, including finance, IT, project management, and employee management.
• Proven ability to plan and manage operational processes for maximum efficiency and productivity.
• Ability to streamline or implement structures and roles that boost speed and efficiency while supporting rapidly shifting business demands.
• Strong working knowledge of industry regulations and legal guidelines is desirable.