Chief Executive Officer

Leading Roles; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Pyrenees Shire Council in regional Victoria seeks a Chief Executive Officer with vision and energy to turn community ambition into sustainable results. Following a long-serving CEO, the Council offers stability, prudent finances and solid infrastructure delivery, with the next leader expected to drive practical change.

The successful candidate will work with five councillors and over 100 staff, translating the Council Plan into clear priorities and strengthening workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in local government or public sector preferred.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into practical action.
• Strong financial governance and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Council Plan into clear priorities and performance outcomes.
• Lead a team of over 100 staff across two directorates and drive change.
• Foster constructive relationships with governments, partners and communities.
• Ensure financial sustainability, infrastructure delivery and emergency readiness.

Job description

• Shape the future of a distinctive rural Victorian shire
• Lead a capable organisation through purposeful change
• Turn Council’s ambition into lasting community outcomes

Chief Executive Officer | Pyrenees Shire Council

The Opportunity

Pyrenees Shire Council seeks a Chief Executive Officer with vision, energy and the judgement to turn community ambition into sustainable results.

Following the retirement of its longstanding CEO, Council offers a strong foundation of organisational stability, financial discipline and infrastructure delivery.

The next leader will build on these strengths, bring fresh thinking and lead practical change.

Within reach of Ballarat and Melbourne, Pyrenees combines rural living, renowned wine country and connected communities.

Your Leadership Priorities

Working with five councillors and leading more than 100 employees through two directors, you will translate the Council Plan into clear priorities, strengthen workplace culture and deliver accountable performance. The role combines strategic influence with the practical oversight required in a lean rural organisation.

Financial sustainability, roads and bridges, housing, investment and emergency readiness will shape your agenda. Major energy and transmission proposals require confident advocacy and negotiation to secure lasting community benefits. Strong relationships with governments and regional partners will be critical to securing funding and support.

What You Will Bring

Council seeks a visible, approachable leader with demonstrated enterprise capability, sound commercial judgement and a record of delivering results. You will build capable teams, provide candid advice and work confidently with government, industry and communities. Integrity, political awareness and the courage to challenge assumptions will be essential.

Local government knowledge is valuable, alongside transferable leadership experience. A genuine commitment to becoming embedded in the Shire and participating in community life is essential.

Applications close: 5:00pm AEST (QLD) Monday 23 November 2026