Chief Operating Officer, ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration

Position Details

• Fixed Term until December 2032| Full-Time
• Higher Education Officer Level 10 I $144266- 152903 | 17% Super

• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country / Adelaide
• View Position Description

About the Position

Flinders University is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration (CEPR). This nationally significant research Centre brings together leading researchers, government agencies, and community partners to transform approaches to prisoner reintegration and reduce reoffending across Australia.

This is an exciting opportunity to establish and lead the Centre’s operational framework across multiple university nodes and partner organisations. The role will drive strategy execution, oversee governance and financial performance, and build the professional capability required to support world-class research, policy influence and real-world impact.

About You:

You are a strategic leader with a strong track record delivering complex, multi-institutional initiatives. You combine operational rigour with exceptional stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to translate ambitious research strategy into effective organisational delivery.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing large-scale research initiatives or centres.
• Strong governance, financial and operational management capability.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement across universities, government and funding bodies.
• Strategic and analytical capability to deliver complex initiatives at scale.
• Desirable: An understanding of, or interest in, criminal justice, reintegration, or related social impact domains.

This position is open to domestic candidates with Australian Work Rights. Relocation support is available.

About the ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration:

Flinders University is leading a $35 million ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration (CEPR), driving nationally significant research to reduce recidivism and improve reintegration outcomes. The Centre unites world-class researchers, government agencies, and community partners, including First Nations organisations, to develop evidence-based strategies, strengthen policy and practice, and support ex-prisoners in successfully reconnecting with society.

Life at Flinders

We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world.

Through leadership of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration, this role contributes directly to Flinders University Strategy 2035 by advancing research, partnerships and evidence-based policies that improve reintegration outcomes and supports the University’s ambition to change 10 million lives for the better by 2035.

So, why else work at Flinders?

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options
• Wide range of professional development activities, funds and services.
• Wellbeing Initiatives via Thriving@Flinders.
• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff
• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).
• Relocation support package for domestic candidates

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan
• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

• A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.

How to Apply and Information

• You are required to submit a CV as well as a Suitability Statement of no more than 3 pages, addressing the Key Position Capabilities of the position description.
• For more information regarding this position, please contact Professor Mark Halsey.

Applications to be submitted before 10:00 pm (ACST) on Monday, 6 April 2026.

Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted.

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.