National Director of Operations

Are you ready to lead the engine room behind some of Australia's most magical experiences?

At Chas Clarkson, we've been bringing joy to communities for over 130 years through spectacular seasonal events, dazzling illuminations and immersive activations. From iconic Christmas trees in Martin Place to enchanting Santa Experiences and breathtaking lighting installations, our work transforms public spaces into memories that last a lifetime.

We're now seeking an experienced National Operations Director to join our senior leadership team and drive operational excellence across our Warehouse, Logistics, Production & Technical departments. This is a unique opportunity to make your mark at Australia's market leader, working alongside a passionate team during one of the most exciting growth phases in our history.

With direct access to the CEO and a clear pathway to future progression into a COO / CEO role, this is more than a job, it's your chance to shape the future of a proud Australian family business while delivering world-class experiences at scale.

Why This Role is Different:

Strategic Impact:
Direct influence on company direction as part of our Senior Leadership Team

Transformational Leadership:
Drive operational excellence across Production, Technical, Supply chain & logistics

Growth Phase Opportunity:
Be instrumental in scaling our 130-year legacy into its next chapter with the opportunity for further career progression into a COO / CEO role.

Industry Leadership:
Keep Australia's Christmas and illumination leader at the forefront of innovation

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Warehouse, Supply Chain, Logistics and Production & Technical teams with a focus on operational excellence
• Champion a high-performing, collaborative and values-driven team culture
• Drive innovation within our Production methods and Technical offerings
• Manage production schedules, capacity planning and delivery of projects on time, on budget and to specification
• Ensure best practice WH&S standards and foster a proactive safety culture
• Oversee production methods, build standards and compliance with engineering and Australian regulations
• Develop, implement and optimise systems and processes to support peak project delivery
• Manage Real Estate Portfolio Management – optimise real estate assets to support operational efficiency, client experience and cost effectiveness
• Drive continuous improvement in inventory management and warehouse & logistics coordination
• Collaborate closely with internal departments including Sales, Project Management, Creative and Finance
• Lead weekly operations meetings and provide regular performance reporting to the Executive team
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers, freight providers and third-party partners

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Proven experience in an operations leadership role (preferably in aligned industries such events, exhibitions, experiential)
• Strong people leadership and mentoring skills across varied teams
• A high level of business acumen with a firm grip on metrics who understands how to get results
• An expert in Production across all disciplines, understanding and improving methods for both temporary and permanent installations
• Vast experience in Production of experiential temporary structures plus Lighting & technical activations
• Demonstrated experience managing warehouses, supply chains, logistics and importing.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation and project coordination abilities
• A hands-on and solutions-focused mindset, with high attention to detail
• Strong understanding of WHS standards and operational compliance
• Experience working with ERP or inventory systems
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally
• Flexibility and resilience during our peak season (Aug–Dec)
• Long term career aspirations with a growth mindset

Our Core Values

We're looking for someone who lives our company values:

• Do it with passion
• Be supportive
• Think outside the tree
• Get it done
• Have fun with it

Why Choose Chas Clarkson?

Strategic Impact: Shape the future of Australia's Christmas and illumination industry leader

Growth Opportunity: Lead transformation during our strongest growth phase in 130 years with the opportunity to progress into a COO / CEO role

Industry Leadership: Work with Australia's premier clients and maintain our market-leading position

Senior Leadership: Direct access to CEO and board-level strategic decision making

Creative Environment: Where operational excellence meets creative magic

Legacy Building: Add your chapter to 130 years of Australian business excellence

Ready to Transform Australia's Christmas & Illumination Magic?

We value our team and reward excellence with attractive packages and comprehensive benefits. If you're ready to be the transformational leader who elevates our operational maturity while maintaining our industry leadership, we want to hear from you.

This isn't just a career move – it's your opportunity to help lead Australia's Christmas and Illumination future.