Chief Operating Officer

About the Role

This newly established Chief Operating Officer position offers a rare chance for a commercially focused executive, preferably with CFO experience, to take a hands-on leadership role at Thrive, a leading ANZ communications agency. You will work closely with the CEO to steer strategy, finance, operations, HR, and IT, fostering commercial success, operational excellence, and transformative growth initiatives. Empowerment to make impactful decisions locally will be key in accelerating agency development and enhancing profitability while establishing scalable systems and processes for future expansion.

Organizational Background

Thrive is a values-led communications firm operating across Australia and New Zealand. Our mission is to help brands grow by leveraging relevance, reputation, and relationships to produce work that captures attention and builds lasting cultural and commercial value. Partnered with Acuity, our corporate communications counterpart, Thrive offers comprehensive solutions including reputation management, media relations, digital, social, and creative services for globally recognized clients like The LEGO Group, Diageo, BYD, and ANZ Group. As a founder-led yet globally ambitious agency, we are entering a growth phase necessitating strong executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate intimately with the Founder & CEO as a strategic and commercial confidant.
• Drive strategic planning, oversee financial outcomes, and execute operational plans throughout Australia and New Zealand.
• Make sound commercial decisions to enhance performance and spur growth.
• Identify and implement strategies increasing profitability, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Champion business transformation and ongoing process improvements.
• Lead agency financial strategies, budgeting, forecasting, and commercial performance oversight in partnership with the Head of Finance.
• Enhance financial discipline through refined pricing, reporting, and profitability monitoring.
• Collaborate with Finance and Business Leads to improve margins and accountability.
• Use financial insights to guide confident business decisions and sustainable growth.
• Oversee Finance, Operations, HR, and IT functions within the ANZ region.
• Streamline forecasting, resource planning, and operational performance.
• Implement scalable technologies, including AI, to boost productivity and client delivery.
• Develop high-performing teams and cultivate a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive leadership experience in senior finance roles such as CFO or Finance Director.
• Mandatory CPA or CA certification.
• Over 20 years of expertise in finance, operations, and commercial strategy leadership.
• Proven background in large-scale PR, communications, marketing, or creative network agencies.
• Demonstrable experience partnering with CEOs, founders, and executive teams.
• Deep knowledge of agency financial frameworks including profitability, pricing, procurement, and commercial performance.
• Track record of leading business transformations, operational advancements, and digital innovation through AI technologies.
• Collaborative leadership style with decisiveness and the ability to influence and drive change effectively.

Why Join Thrive?

As COO, you'll be instrumental in shaping Thrive's future while working with a dynamic leadership team and making a significant impact on the agency's trajectory.

Benefits

• Visa assistance and long-term sponsorship options for eligible international employees.
• Engaging culture with weekly knowledge sessions, quarterly company-sponsored social gatherings, and regular celebrations.
• Flexible work environment with a hybrid model: three in-office days weekly, work-from-home Mondays and Fridays, plus up to a month of approved Work From Anywhere across Australia and New Zealand offices.
• Additional personal time off including an annual "Thriving Birthday Me Day" and early finishes on Summer Fridays (December to February).
• Enhanced parental leave benefits beyond government provisions, including paid leave plus superannuation, alongside a structured reintegration program.
• Opportunities for professional growth through AI Digital Council participation, external learning budgets, memberships, seminars, and in-house development programs like Thrive Bites, Lunch'n Learns, and Thrive Academies.