Laurus Education is seeking an experienced and operationally driven Director, Facilities, Safety & Security based in Melbourne to lead enterprise-wide facilities operations, workplace health and safety, security and operational risk management across our growing multi-campus education environment

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring Laurus campuses remain safe, compliant, secure and professionally maintained while delivering high-quality environments that support exceptional student and staff experiences.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a strategic and hands-on operational leader who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about operational excellence, safety leadership and continuous improvement.

About the Role

The Director, Facilities, Safety & Security provides enterprise leadership across facilities management, WHS, security, contractor governance, operational risk and campus service delivery.

Working closely with the COO and senior stakeholders, the role ensures operational strategy is translated into disciplined, scalable and high-performing campus operations across all Laurus locations.

The role is critical to maintaining operational continuity, protecting people and assets, ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting Laurus Education’s continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day facilities operations across all campuses to ensure safe, compliant and high-quality environments

• Oversee maintenance programs, campus presentation and operational service standards

• Monitor service performance and ensure timely resolution of operational issues

• Manage hard services including HVAC, electrical, fire systems and plumbing

• Oversee soft services including cleaning, waste, pest control and grounds maintenance

• Ensure contractors meet compliance, safety and service delivery expectations

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of WHS frameworks and safety initiatives

• Oversee incident reporting, risk management, contractor safety and compliance monitoring

• Promote a proactive and positive safety culture across all campuses

• Oversee physical security, access control, CCTV and emergency preparedness processes

• Support emergency response planning, evacuation procedures and incident management

• Ensure campuses maintain appropriate security and operational resilience measures

• Ensure campuses, plant, equipment and contractors meet all statutory and regulatory obligations

• Oversee inspections, testing, compliance documentation and audit readiness activities

• Monitor and address compliance risks and remediation actions

• Support capital works, refurbishments and campus improvement projects across the Group

• Provide operational input into planning, stakeholder coordination and project delivery

• Ensure projects align with operational, safety and student experience requirements

• Manage contractor procurement, contracts and service performance across facilities operations

• Monitor budgets, service quality and value-for-money outcomes

• Ensure contractors comply with Group governance and operational standards

• Identify and manage operational risks across facilities, safety and security functions

• Support business continuity planning and emergency preparedness initiatives

• Maintain strong operational reporting and risk management practices

• Drive process improvement, operational consistency and digital enablement initiatives

• Utilise systems, maintenance data and reporting tools to improve operational performance

• Support continuous improvement across facilities, safety and security operations

• Lead and develop high-performing facilities, safety and security teams and contractor network.

About You

You are a highly organised and commercially astute operational leader with strong experience across facilities, safety and security within complex multi-site environments.

You will bring:

• Strong leadership experience across facilities, WHS and operational service delivery

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

• A proactive and solutions-focused approach

• Strong operational discipline and attention to detail

• The ability to lead through complexity, growth and change

• Foster a collaborative, accountable and service-oriented culture

• Support capability development, stakeholder engagement and operational leadership across campuses

• A commitment to safety, service excellence and continuous improvement

The following qualifications and experience:

• Significant senior leadership experience in facilities, safety and/or security management

• Experience managing multi-site operations, contractor networks and compliance frameworks

• Strong understanding of WHS legislation, operational risk and statutory compliance requirements

• Demonstrated experience overseeing hard and soft facilities services within education or another regulated environment

• Experience reporting to executive stakeholders on operational performance and risk

• Degree qualification in Facilities Management, Engineering, Property, WHS, Security Management, Business or a related discipline (Desirable)

• Postgraduate qualifications in leadership, facilities, WHS or strategy.

• Relevant WHS, risk or emergency management certifications.

Why join us

• Location in Melbourne CBD.

• Be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking leadership team

• Lead enterprise-wide operational strategy and improvement initiatives

• Contribute to the growth and development of a multi-campus education provider

• Influence the future of campus operations, safety and service delivery

• Work within a values-led and people-focused organisation
  

*Please note ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted.