Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Sydney (also open to Melbourne and London locations)

Full Time position

About the Business

At Urban Rest, we're redefining accommodation; a different way to stay. Redefining the standards of hospitality, our brand pillars of Design, Wellness, and Sustainability guide our growth across iconic locations globally. Operational in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Auckland, Wellington, Dublin, and London. We are doubling our network every 12 months. We are a technology-enabled business disrupting a stagnant sector with a unique focus on traveller well-being and sustainability. We have experienced rapid growth, strong customer loyalty, and success over the last seven years since launch and are now going through a period of scaling the business in various locations across the globe, offering the chance to join a growing business at a pivotal stage of growth.

Benefits and Perks

• Access to short-term bonus plan, long-term incentive plan, and equity grant
• Flexible hours and the option to work from home when business allows
• ME Days (Mental health days) and Volunteer Day available per year
• Employee, friends and family discounts at Urban Rest properties
• Free "Staff Stays" at Urban Rest properties
• Monthly social team activities & Quarterly team functions
• A fantastic work culture that is fun, friendly, and collaborative
• Pet friendly offices close to public transport

About the Role

The Global Chief Operating Officer is pivotal in scaling operations, enhancing efficiencies, and driving strategic initiatives to support Urban Rest's rapid expansion. This role is about leading people, driving change, shaping processes, and embedding technology and innovation to support rapid international expansion. The Chief Operating Officer will oversee all markets, with country leads and group functions reporting directly into them and hold full P&L accountability for operational performance globally. They will partner closely with the CEO and executive team to set strategy, strengthen organisational capability, and ensure Urban Rest continues to deliver an exceptional guest experience while building a robust, efficient, and future-ready business model. This role can be based in either Sydney, Melbourne or London, with Sydney as the preferred location.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Growth

• Lead and implement the operational strategy to support Urban Rest's ambitious growth targets, ensuring alignment with overall business goals.
• Oversee expansion into new markets, managing operational due diligence, regulatory compliance, and market entry strategies.
• Hold global P&L accountability, ensuring strong commercial outcomes across all markets.
• Champion change management initiatives to align people, processes, and systems during periods of transition and scaling.

Operational Excellence

• Continuously optimise resource allocation, balancing cost effectiveness with service excellence.
• Implement scalable, efficient processes that support a consistent, high-quality guest experience.
• Ensure organisational readiness and smooth adoption of new systems, processes, and structures.

Team Development and Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse, international team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Guide teams through change with clear communication, engagement, and support to minimise disruption and maximise adoption
• Foster a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, process improvement, agility, collaboration, and innovation.
• Drive workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, and leadership development to support global growth.
• Guide teams through transformation with clarity, engagement, and resilience.

Financial and Risk Management

• Work closely with finance to develop budgets, forecasts, and financial models that support growth while managing operational costs.
• Ensure compliance with local and international regulatory requirements, health and safety standards, and company policies.
• Lead risk management initiatives, including crisis management and continuity planning, to safeguard operations.
• Manage the risks associated with organisational change, ensuring business continuity during transitions.

Technology and Innovation

• Partner with IT to lead digital transformation initiatives that unlock efficiency, real-time insights, and automation.
• Introduce and integrate AI-driven solutions to enhance operational decision-making, streamline workflows, and improve guest satisfaction.
• Ensure organisational readiness and smooth adoption of new technologies and tools. Drive the adoption of innovative technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

What We Look For

• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of senior operations experience, preferably within the hospitality, real estate, or property management sectors. Proven experience in managing large-scale operations, ideally with international exposure. Experience in leading large-scale transformation and change management programs is highly desirable.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams.
• Strategic Vision: Demonstrated ability to translate vision into actionable strategies that drive growth and operational excellence.
• Guest-Centric: Deep understanding of the guest journey and commitment to delivering a high-quality guest experience.
• Financial Acumen: Strong grasp of budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance metrics. Experience with cost optimization and operational scaling.
• Problem Solving: Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex operational challenges.
• Technology Proficiency: Experienced with technology and digital transformation initiatives. Familiarity with property management systems and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
• Travel: Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed to oversee global operations.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Urban Rest, we extend our invitation to candidates from Indigenous, neurodiverse, disabled, international, and diverse cultural backgrounds. Our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace ensures that all applicants receive the necessary support and accommodations throughout the recruitment and onboarding process. We encourage candidates from various backgrounds to apply, as we value diversity and believe in creating an environment where everyone can succeed. Please let us know if you require any additional adjustments or support to help you through this process so you can shine as the best version of yourself.

How to Apply

Please submit your application through the link on this website by including an up-to-date resume with relevant skills and experience alongside a cover letter addressing how you meet the criteria and your interest in the role.

If you want to learn more about our company please see our website -

We look forward to hearing from you