Director of Operations

About Arcadia

Arcadia Landscape Architecture is an award-winning, design and purpose-driven landscape architecture and urban design practice located in Australia and New Zealand. With studios in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Auckland and Gold Coast, we are dedicated to shaping a future where our landscapes tell stories of innovation, sustainability, and cultural connection.

About the Opportunity

Arcadia is looking for an Operations Director to shape and execute the operational strategy that enables sustainable growth, commercial performance and design excellence across our studios. This is a senior leadership role focused on strengthening project delivery, financial performance, resource optimisation and consistent systems at an enterprise level.

Working closely with the Managing Director, CFO, Studio Principals and business unit leaders, you will provide enterprise-wide oversight of project governance, financial performance, resource planning and Integrated Management Systems. You will bring the discipline, reporting and operational rigour needed to help a growing, multi-studio practice scale without losing sight of people, clients and project outcomes.

A glimpse into your day

• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with Arcadia’s growth, geographic expansion and business objectives.
• Partner with studio leaders to align operational delivery with design excellence, commercial performance and client outcomes.
• Oversee project and portfolio performance, including budgeting, forecasting, margin optimisation, WIP and timely invoicing.
• Establish consistent project governance frameworks, including WBS, controls, reporting standards and risk management processes.
• Lead workforce planning and resource allocation across studios, ensuring capability and capacity are aligned to demand.
• Drive utilisation, billability, leave planning and delivery continuity across the practice.
• Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of Arcadia’s Integrated Management Systems, including ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001.
• Build operational reporting frameworks and use insights to drive better decision-making, accountability and continuous improvement.

The expertise you’ll bring

• 10+ years’ experience in operations, project leadership or practice management within professional services, design, architecture, engineering or a related environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading operations at a portfolio or enterprise level.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including project accounting, forecasting, WIP, invoicing and margin management.
• Proven experience improving project governance, delivery performance, reporting standards and operational consistency.
• Proven experience implementing or leading Integrated Management Systems, with ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 highly regarded.
• Advanced capability in resource planning, systems optimisation, performance reporting and data integrity.
• Highly developed leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A practical, collaborative and continuous-improvement mindset, with the confidence to bring structure without slowing momentum.

The Arcadia Way (how we work)

Our team of brilliant minds come from many walks of life, each one a character with stories to tell. These diverse and different ways of thinking enable us to maintain fresh perspectives and innovate continuously. Whether it’s design excellence or streamlined processes, we go to every length to make sure that clients and communities are getting the best possible results.

Arcadia’s high calibre team is what keeps clients coming back for more. That’s why we provide our team with industry-leading tools and training to continually develop our skills, achieving maximum fulfilment and growth.

Why you will love working with us

• Work that matters: our projects shape communities, public spaces and places connected to Country. Meaningful, complex and award-winning work with a lasting impact.
• Room to grow: we are a practice with real ambition and we back our people to grow with it. New challenges, leadership opportunities, specialist development — we invest in what comes next for you.
• A place you belong: different backgrounds, disciplines and perspectives are genuinely valued here. We are building something inclusive by design.
• Career pathways with clarity: clear career frameworks and structured development pathways so you can see where you are heading and what it takes to get there.
• Leadership opportunities: as Arcadia grows across studios and geographies, so do the opportunities to lead. We grow our leaders from within.
• Industry recognition: fully paid annual industry membership, conference representation and a genuine culture of sharing knowledge and staying curious.
• Flexibility that works: hybrid and flexible working, because great work can happen in different ways.
• Wellbeing, celebrated: daily studio lunch, EAP for you and your family, skin checks, flu vaccinations, ski trip and end-of-year conference and more!

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging & Reconciliation

Arcadia Landscape Architecture is a place where purpose and people meet. We are dedicated to building a business that is inclusive by design— our Studios are a safe space where everyone belongs and is encouraged to excel.

We actively seek perspectives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. We value the strength that diversity brings to our work and our culture. Please advise us of any adjustments you may need during the recruitment phase to ensure you can participate fully and comfortably.

A Note on Work Rights

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold the legal right to live and work in Australia.