Chief Executive Officer

City of Palmerston; Darwin; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Palmerston in the Northern Territory is seeking an accomplished Chief Executive Officer to lead a vibrant, community-focused council and deliver the organisation's Community Plan.

You will oversee a budget of over $54 million, guide an executive team, engage with government, industry and residents, and champion diversity, unity and belonging while ensuring financial sustainability and high‑quality services.

Job description

City of Palmerston, established in the 1980s, is Northern Territory\'s youngest and second-largest city. Palmerston is known as a family-friendly hub, with a proud vision of being a \"Place for People\" and delivering excellent services to the community.

An opportunity waits for an accomplished Chief Executive Officer to lead a vibrant, welcoming city dedicated to fostering diversity, unity, and belonging. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of a thriving community, where every individual feels safe and valued.

About the role

As Chief Executive Officer, you will provide the leadership and vision to deliver Council\'s Community Plan, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, community focused and future ready. Leading a budget of more than $54 million, including significant capital investment, you will oversee a high-performing executive team comprising the General Managers of Finance & Governance, People & Place, and Infrastructure, and Community.

Reporting to the Mayor and Elected Members, you will foster strong governance and effective decision-making while building trusted relationships with government, industry, community and business stakeholders. You will represent Council with credibility and influence in complex political, regulatory and public environments.

Success in this role requires the ability to balance economic growth, environmental stewardship and community expectations. You will drive the delivery of Council\'s strategic priorities, ensuring strong organisational performance, legislative compliance, financial accountability and effective risk management.

About you

To succeed as Chief Executive Officer, you will bring significant senior leadership experience within Local Government or a similarly complex environment. You are a collaborative and influential leader who can build strong relationships, navigate political environments and bring people together to achieve shared goals.

You will have proven experience leading within governance and legislative frameworks, supported by strong expertise in organisational leadership, financial management, risk, safety and service delivery. Your sound judgement and commercial acumen enable you to make informed decisions in complex and evolving environments.

You are skilled at translating strategy into action, driving organisational performance and leading change. Experience overseeing major capital projects, supporting sustainable growth and delivering positive community outcomes will be highly regarded.

Above all, you will be a community-focused executive with a genuine commitment to engagement, collaboration and delivering long-term value for residents, businesses and stakeholders.

You will be empowered to champion positive change, nurture a supportive culture, and deliver impactful projects that align with the city\'s vision of 'A Place for People'. If you are passionate about public service, committed to continuous improvement, and eager to make a lasting difference in a progressive environment, this is your chance to shape the legacy of an inclusive community.

Applications close at 5 p.m. on Monday, 26th October 2026.

For a confidential discussion and to request a copy of the Applicant Pack, please contact Ella Morgan on 08 8216 3553 or [e-mail]

Applicants must be willing to undergo a pre-employment clearance and national criminal history check, provide written references for your past three years of working history from you supervisors/managers, or if you are an existing CEO, the principal member of the council.

Candidates must not:

• be disqualified from managing a corporation under the Corporations Act 2001 or the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006;
• be disqualified under section 40 of the Associations Act 20036;
• be currently bankrupt or handling personal insolvency arrangements.