Chief Executive Officer

McArthur; Barunga West; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Barunga West Council invites applications for a Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the Council. You will work with the Mayor, elected members, and senior management to deliver the Council’s vision, policies and decisions with a focus on efficiency, sustainability and high standards.

This is a hands-on leadership role designed to strengthen organisational performance, foster accountability, and build relationships with the community,

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience in a complex, multi-functional service organisation.
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• Demonstrated success in leading strategy, people, finances, assets and major projects.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budgeting and long-term planning.
• Sound governance capability with an understanding of legislative, risk and compliance responsibilities.
• Highly developed leadership and people management skills with the ability to build a high-performing culture.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with sound judgement and resilience.
• Practical, collaborative and visible leadership style; hands-on when required.
• Understanding of Local Government and regional opportunities will be highly regarded.
• Tertiary and/or postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the organisation to deliver Council's strategic and operational objectives.
• Drive development and delivery of long-term strategic and financial plans.
• Ensure efficient and sustainable management of financial, human and physical resources.
• Oversee major projects, operations and service delivery to achieve high-quality outcomes.
• Provide accurate, timely advice and reports to Council to support decision-making.
• Foster a positive, accountable culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with the Mayor, Elected Members, staff, community and stakeholders.
• Ensure governance, risk and statutory obligations are met with robust policies and controls.
• Champion customer service and community engagement to keep Council responsive.

Skills

Executive Leadership

Strategy

Financial Acumen

Governance

People Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication

Hands-on Leadership

Local Government Knowledge

Postgraduate Qualifications

Education

Tertiary/Postgraduate qualifications in relevant discipline

Job description

• Lead a regional Council and make a visible impact
• Drive strategic outcomes that strengthen community, economy and environment
• Live and work in a stunning coastal location only two hours from Adelaide

Located at the northern end of the Yorke Peninsula, Barunga West Council encompasses some of South Australia's most picturesque coastline and historic inland townships. Just two hours from Adelaide, the region is home to the key townships of Port Broughton, Bute and Fisherman Bay.

With beautiful beaches, a relaxed lifestyle and a welcoming community, Barunga West offers an enviable regional lifestyle with easy access to metropolitan amenities. The Council is committed to driving positive social, economic and environmental outcomes that support its growing communities and thriving local industries.

About the role...

The Barunga West Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure Council's vision, policies and decisions are effectively delivered. Working in partnership with the Mayor, Elected Members and Senior Management Team, the CEO will lead the organisation to achieve its strategic and business plans, ensuring services, infrastructure and community initiatives are delivered efficiently, sustainably and to a high standard.

This is a visible and hands on leadership role, with the opportunity to have a genuine impact across the organisation and broader community. The CEO will be central to strengthening organisational performance, fostering a positive and accountable culture and building strong relationships with Council, staff, community and stakeholders.

What you will do...

• Lead, inspire and develop the organisation to deliver Council's strategic and operational objectives.
• Drive the development, review and delivery of Council's long-term strategic and financial plans.
• Ensure the efficient and sustainable management of Council's financial, human and physical resources.
• Oversee major projects, operations, and service delivery to achieve high-quality, cost-effective outcomes for the community.
• Provide accurate, timely and well considered advice and reports to Council to support informed decision-making.
• Foster a positive and accountable culture that values professionalism, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Mayor, Elected Members, staff, community, government agencies, businesses, media and regional partners.
• Ensure governance, risk and statutory obligations are consistently met, with effective systems, policies and controls in place.
• Champion strong customer service and community engagement, ensuring Council remains responsive to the needs of its communities.
• Represent and promote Council effectively across the community, government and broader region.

What they are looking for...

• Executive leadership experience in a complex, multi-functional service organisation.
• Demonstrated success in leading strategy, people, finances, assets and major projects.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budgeting, long-term planning and sustainable resource management.
• Sound governance capability, with an understanding of legislative, risk and compliance responsibilities.
• Highly developed leadership and people management skills, with the ability to build a positive, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Proven ability to build trusted and productive relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, together with sound judgement, resilience and the ability to navigate complex issues.
• A practical, collaborative and visible leadership style, with the willingness to be hands-on when required.
• An understanding of Local Government and the opportunities and challenges facing regional communities will be highly regarded.
• Tertiary and/or postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline will be highly regarded.

Living and working in the Barunga West Council region offers the best of both worlds - a relaxed coastal lifestyle and a thriving regional economy, all just two hours from Adelaide. The area is renowned for its strong community spirit, stunning natural environment, and affordable, family-friendly lifestyle.

If you are an experienced, collaborative, hands-on leader looking for an opportunity to make a visible difference to an organisation and its community, we encourage you to apply.

Confidential enquiries can be directed to Rebecca Hunt or Teresa Nilsson on [phone].