Chief Operations Officer

Reports to Chief Executive Officer1000+ operational staff 3x Emergency Communications CentresSES 2 Band ($298,489 - $430,740 TRP) inc superannuation

About Triple Zero Victoria

Triple Zero Victoria (TZV) provides the critical link between the Victorian community and the state's emergency services agencies. It provides Victoria's 24-hour emergency call-taking and dispatch services for Police, Fire, Ambulance and VICSES.  

This integration of emergency services communications within Triple Zero Victoria is unique in Australia and rare worldwide. The team at Triple Zero Victoria are deeply committed to the community they serve and are among the most dedicated and highly skilled in their field.

About the Role

The Chief Operations Officer (Executive Director, Operations) is responsible for the leadership and delivery of TZV's State Emergency Communications Centres encompassing call-taking, dispatch, operational coordination, technology and workforce management. This role ensures that TZV's services are consistently high-performing, resilient, interoperable and future-focused, supporting the safety of every Victorian.

You will provide strategic leadership in the provision of key services: Triple Zero call-taking from the Victorian community and dispatch/emergency responder support services for Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, Country Fire Authority and Victoria State Emergency Service. Working with the broader Executive Leadership Team, you will ensure high-quality and innovative service delivery that meets all quality and operational performance targets.

This leader plays a pivotal role in TZV's leadership of emergency management for the broader sector, driving operational excellence and supporting the achievement of strategic goals. You will connect people with strategy, lead 1000+ talented professionals delivering exceptional outcomes around the clock, and establish an executive communications services leadership team that achieves a high-performance culture balancing performance expectations with an engaging people experience.

About You

The successful candidate will have the following experience, skills and attributes:

Significant experience leading large frontline operational teams within emergency servicesExperience working within or alongside emergency management frameworks and multi-agency coordination groupsExecutive level experience in delivering critical services in a highly regulated environmentStrong capability in workforce management, training and organisational culture development within complex industrial environments and multi-sector enterprise agreementsExtensive experience delivering organisational change and building trust in complex unionised environmentsOutstanding leadership capabilities to run 24/7 operations and dispatch centres in multi-site and complex environmentsInnovative approach to develop and execute strategic operational plans, and drive future-readiness in high-reliability organisationsHigh-level engagement skills with the ability to build trust and influence across government, agencies, industry and communitiesUnderstanding of emergency communications platforms, dispatch technologies, data analytics and performance systemsCommitment to the Victorian Public Sector values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rightsDemonstrated broad leadership capability preferably in the public sector

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to provide highly visible leadership at each of the three State Emergency Communications Centres located at Burwood East (head office), Williams Landing and Ballarat. It is expected that the COO will operating 3 days+ per week from Burwood East and allocate other days at the Williams Landing and Ballarat sites.

What We Can Offer You

You will be supporting a critical service to the Victorian community and will be rewarded with a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements and employee benefits including:

Employee assistance program for employees and eligible family membersDiscounted health insurance, banking services and gym membership'Memberlink' discount card, accepted by 1,000's of retailers and services providersFree staff parking at all our sitesSalary packaging options after an initial service period

Triple Zero Victoria is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our workplace. We encourage and celebrate diversity in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for our roles. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the Victorian community in which we live.

How to Apply

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Candidate Briefing Pack prior to lodging queries/applications. Documents are available at

Enquiries may be directed to: Dean Unkles, Managing Director, Peter William Partners |

Applications must include a resume and a one-page cover letter outlining your interest, relevant expertise and your commitment to the locations and travel. Responses to key selection criteria are not required but may be requested at a later stage of the assessment process.

Applications to be emailed as MS Word or PDF to

Queries close: 5pm AEDT Thursday 15th January 2025

Applications close: 5pm AEDT Sunday 18th January 2025

We encourage candidates to submit applications in advance of the close date. Applicants must be either an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid working visa. Incomplete applications will NOT be acknowledged.

Peter William Partners have been exclusively retained by Triple Zero Victoria to deliver this executive search. Any unsolicited applications will be redirected to Peter William Partners and managed via the campaign. If you experience any difficulty in lodging your application online, please contact

Other Relevant Information

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Medical Declaration, with employment subject to a National Police Check clearance.

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Triple Zero Victoria's Careers team via

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