About Bowls Australia

Bowls Australia works across a national network of more than 1,750 clubs and circa 1.85 million annual participants. With approximately 35 FTE staff and $13 million in annual turnover, it is a well performing national sporting organisation with an ambitious agenda.

Bowls Australia is one of the ASC’s equal highest funded Play Well sports and received the AIS 2024 Win Well Award. Its Bold Bowls | Fun Bowls Action Agenda 2025-2028 sets a progressive direction for the sport and the communities it serves.

The Opportunity

As Chief Operating Officer, you will lead the functions that keep Bowls Australia financially strong, well governed and equipped to deliver its priorities.

You will advise the CEO and a Board that values diverse thinking and contemporary governance. You will lead three direct reports and work with specialist partners for outsourced accounting and legal services. You will be responsible for the key Finance & Audit and Governance, Risk, Integrity and Policy Committees of the Board.

The breadth of this role is its appeal. You will move between strategic advice and practical delivery, helping leaders understand risk, make informed choices and follow through on decisions across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting (annual and detailed multi-year), forecasting, cash flow oversight and financial reporting, providing clear advice to the CEO, Board and Senior Leadership Team.
• Fulfil Company Secretary duties, supporting effective Board and committee processes, governance, policy and compliance.
• Oversee organisational risk, insurance arrangements and the coordination of legal matters.
• Lead Bowls Australia’s implementation of the National Sports Integrity Framework across the sport.
• Oversee business operations, including the Melbourne head office (if Vic-based), systems and external IT services.
• Lead and develop three direct reports and ensure external providers deliver effectively.
• Contribute to the delivery of the Bold Bowls | Fun Bowls Action Agenda as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

About you

You are a trusted senior leader who can make sense of complexity, offer clear advice and get important work done. You are comfortable working with a Board, leading a small team and drawing on specialist expertise where it adds value.

You bring:

• Strong financial detail and commercial judgement, including experience with budgets, reporting, controls and audit.
• Experience supporting Boards or committees and a sound understanding of governance and risk.
• The ability to lead a broad corporate portfolio while staying close to operational delivery.
• Confidence handling sensitive matters with discretion and sound judgement.
• Clear communication and the ability to build productive relationships across diverse stakeholders.

Experience in sport, a federated organisation or a member based environment will be highly regarded. A degree in commerce, accounting, business, law or a related field is sought; CPA membership or GAICD qualifications will be highly regarded.

Location

The role is ideally based at BA’s head office in Thornbury, Victoria, though interstate-based would be considered for the right person.

Why this role matters and how to apply

Bowls Australia has a strong platform and a clear direction. In this role, you will help turn that ambition into sound decisions, effective operations and lasting organisational capability.

If you are drawn to the breadth of the portfolio and the chance to influence how an entire national sporting organisation runs, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience by 5pm AEDT on Sunday 25th October 2026.

Bowls Australia (BA) is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. BA requires all applicants who are to work with children and young people to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment, a process that may include, but is not limited to, comprehensive reference checks, an identity check, a ‘working with children’ or equivalent check and/or a ‘national criminal history record’ check.