Head of National Operations

At SIXT Australia, we're more than just a car rental company – we're a premium service brand driven by innovation, customer experience, and a passion for getting people to where they need to be. We believe car rental should be as exciting as a road trip – something to look forward to. We transform everyday mobility into memorable experiences with premium vehicles and exceptional service. It's in our DNA, blending Aussie spirit with German heritage – Das Ist Good. As part of the NRMA family, we offer endless opportunities.

Take the lead in shaping the future of SIXT Australia as our next Head of National Operations.

Reporting to the General Manager of Operations, you’ll be a strategic, high impact leader responsible for setting, embedding- and sustaining exceptionally high operational and service standards across the network. You will be a key member of the Leadership team and provide strategic direction across all branches. You will be accountable for delivering consistent, premium, world-class customer experiences, driving sustainable sales and performance growth and ensure alignment with our SIXT global operating model, Global Franchise Agreement and best practice framework.

The role is flexible and can be based within a major Australian city; preferably, Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney, with the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement as required and agreed for the role. Regular interstate travel across our network of locations will be a requirement for the successful candidate.

What You’ll Do

To position SIXT Australia as the #1 Car rental operator in the market, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic direction and inspirational leadership to regional and branch teams across the SIXT Australia network, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s direction.
• Set, uphold and continuously raise performance, service and behavioural standards across all locations, acting as the Australian custodian of the SIXT brand, and premium, on-brand- customer experience.
• Develop and coach leaders and teams, building a culture of accountability and a winning mindset where staff strive for operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop employees to take ownership of their own and teams’ professional development by identifying and supporting growth opportunities as well as engagement in recurring initiatives to strengthen capability.
• Drive operational efficiency, revenue growth and profitability through close oversight of branch level P&L, profitability and revenue trends, leveraging financial insights and data models -to maximise network performance.
• Own the frontline operational strategy and execution, partnering with key internal stakeholders including Fleet, Pricing, Marketing, P&C, and Operational Performance functions to create high-impact outcomes.
• Lead cost optimisation initiatives that deliver sustainable savings without compromising service quality, customer experience- or brand standards.
• Implement and oversee the compliance of your teams’ premium service standards, ensuring quality control of consistent sales processes and service delivery frameworks from reservation through to return, focusing on ease, speed and personalised service.
• Monitor and analyse key performance indicators including fleet utilisation, productivity, customer satisfaction, sales conversions, cost management and case management, using insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure branches are aligned in branding, communication tone and customer engagement style, supported by consistent systems, reporting tools and operational workflows.
• Partner closely with Franchisee Management teams and SIXT global operations to drive best in class-, standardised processes and fully aligned operating models across the entire network.
• Lead a safety-first- culture across all sites, overseeing safety checks, branch procedures, staff training and the investigation and resolution of safety incidents in partnership with the safety team, ensuring all safety metrics are consistently met.

What You’ll Bring

You’re a visionary yet operationally strong leader who is passionate about delivering premium customer experiences and driving high performance. You must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Industry experience in car rental, automotive, travel or other premium service sectors.
• Proven ability to lead national, multi-site teams while driving consistent performance, service excellence, sales performance and safety.
• Strong experience in setting, tracking and optimising KPIs to drive sales results, with a keen eye for detail and commercial outcomes.
• A strong track record in coaching, performance management and developing team members to meet or exceed targets, while holding leaders and staff accountable through constructive, actionable feedback.
• The ability to thrive in a fast paced, high--pressure- environment with a focus on achieving and exceeding goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with leaders, cross functional- teams and senior management.
• Self-motivation, a -goal-oriented mindset and a passion for driving results-.
• A current and valid driver’s licence plus full working rights.

As part of our recruitment process, successful applicants will be required to complete pre-employment checks.

What we offer  

At SIXT we aren’t just about discounts (although you do get these too). We offer benefits to help make work and life just right for you!  

• Progressive flexibility, leave and well-being benefits to balance all of life's priorities
• Travel discounts on SIXT car rental, cruises, and accommodation at our award-winning NRMA Holiday Parks and Resorts.  
• Complimentary myNRMA Rewards membership including free Roadside Assistance & discounts on groceries, movie tickets, gift cards, gym memberships, attractions, restaurants and much more  
• Discounts on a range of NRMA personal insurance products including car, home & travel  
• Grow, progress or relocate your career and move around the NRMA Group or different locations with us.  

We’re for inclusion, diversity, and representing the customers and communities we serve. That’s why we welcome applications from First Nations, people with disability, those from diverse cultural backgrounds, people of all genders, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and anyone else who wants to be part of our team.  

Our Talent Acquisition Team and Hiring Leaders kindly request no unsolicited resumes or approaches from Recruitment Agencies. The NRMA is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.