Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Marine Services

About the role

SeaLink Marine is entering a new strategic phase and is looking for a senior leader to head a newly defined operating division. The Chief Operating Officer will oversee five business units and centralised functions that deliver essential marine services to clients, island communities and visitors across Adelaide or Brisbane.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple sites and diverse service environments.
• Lead and develop a team of General Managers, fostering a high‑performance, safety‑first culture.
• Oversee financial performance, operational delivery and continuous improvement for all business units.
• Ensure contractual obligations are met while delivering exceptional customer service.
• Guide the organisation through transition, resetting expectations, culture and ways of working.
• Champion adoption of new technologies, data‑driven tools and AI to improve efficiency.
• Identify and execute growth opportunities, ensuring a robust and scalable operating model.
• Build strong relationships with unions, community partners, government bodies and internal stakeholders.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in senior operations leadership within complex, multi‑site environments.
• Proven track record of leading organisations through change and transformation.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including industrial relations and union environments.
• Strategic mindset with ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Commitment to safety, service excellence and operational discipline.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape the future of a growing marine services division.
• Leadership of a high‑impact team across multiple locations.
• Exposure to innovative technologies and data‑driven decision making.