Christopher Darge
Interim COO Transformation Executive
Leading businesses through growth, transition and significant change.
I take delegated operating authority during periods of growth, ownership transition or significant change.
The objective is a stronger operating model, a leadership team able to sustain performance and a clean handover to permanent leadership.
View executive brief contact@darges.com
Greater Sydney Australia-wide and international assignments
Mandates
When operating leadership is needed
These mandates typically arise during growth, restructuring, ownership transition or stalled delivery, when clear accountability and disciplined execution are required.
Founder-led growth and leadership transition
Operational restructuring and performance improvement
Ownership transition and business integration
Stalled transformation and program recovery
Assignment approach
From defined need to sustainable handover
The work is practical and time-bound: establish what matters, make decision rights clear and leave permanent leadership with a stronger operating platform.
Selected assignments
Operating responsibility, through transition
Recent and substantial assignments showing a consistent pattern: build capability, deliver the change and prepare the organisation for permanent leadership.
October 2017-July 2024; fractional return in 2025
Built the operations capability at a tier-one architecture and design practice.
Established roles and accountabilities, systemised commercial management and developed the executive team. Held direct P&L responsibility and reported to the board.
Led operational restructuring, technology investment, COVID business continuity and the business integration required during the transition from founder ownership to new shareholders. Supported the recruitment of a permanent COO and completed a structured handover.
March 2017-December 2019
Established the firm's operations function.
Initially engaged to lead an IT transformation project; the mandate expanded to leading a successful ISO audit. Defined the permanent COO role, supported the recruitment and appointment, and concluded after a clean handover.
July 2024-August 2026
Rebuilt the operating model for sustainable growth.
Transformed a successful specialist allied health clinic, establishing financial systems and controls so it could grow without unnecessary complexity. The transformation is complete; I remain involved as a director.
Commercial and leadership range
Broad operating range. Clear executive focus.
- Business Transformation
- Operations Management
- Business Integration
- Operating Models
- Business Strategy
- Executive Leadership
- P&L Management
- Change Management
- Board Advisory
Additional leadership
Governance and leadership under pressure
Commercial governance
YourLink
Director and former CFO — voluntary
Provided business strategy, commercial direction, financial controls and funding oversight to a digital training and capability company serving the aged care sector. I continue as an adviser.
Emergency operations leadership
NSW Rural Fire Service
Group Officer
Lead large teams of firefighters during emergency responses and deployments across NSW and interstate, spanning frontline operations, planning and major incident management.
Contact