Chief Executive Officer

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

Job summary

Hepburn Shire Council is seeking an exceptional CEO to guide the organisation’s next chapter from Daylesford. You will work with Councillors, staff and stakeholders to deliver strategic governance and financial leadership that strengthens performance and sustainable outcomes.

You will lead with transparency, build trust and foster an accountable culture while guiding infrastructure and resilience initiatives to serve the community now and into the future.

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience in a complex service-delivery environment.
• Governance, financial management and organisational leadership capability.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills with Councillors and community.
• Experience in building high-performing, customer-focused cultures.
• Evidence-based, objective advice with transparent decision-making.
• Commercial acumen and disciplined prioritisation of demands.
• Collaborative leadership that empowers staff and promotes innovation.
• Commitment to transparency, fairness and community outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic governance and financial leadership to strengthen organisational performance.
• Lead with authenticity, transparency and integrity, building trust with the community and Council.
• Navigate financial sustainability, infrastructure priorities, disaster recovery and resilience.
• Elevate Hepburn Shire's profile and shape a thriving regional future with the executive team.

Skills

Executive leadership

Governance

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic vision

Communication

Change leadership

Transparency

Job description

Lead one of Australia's most celebrated regional communities.

There are very few places in Australia where natural beauty, creativity, community spirit and wellbeing are so deeply woven into everyday life. Hepburn Shire is one of them. From the mineral springs and renowned wellness tourism of Daylesford to the historic townships of Creswick, Clunes and Trentham, the Shire offers vibrant local communities, stunning landscapes and a rich cultural heritage-all just over an hour from Melbourne. It is an exceptional place to live and a rare place to lead.

This is not a business-as-usual CEO role.

Hepburn's communities are passionate, informed and deeply invested in the future of their region. Success in this role will come from embracing that passion, building trust and bringing people together around a shared vision.

Hepburn Shire Council is seeking an exceptional leader to guide the organisation through its next chapter. Working closely with Councillors, staff, community members and stakeholders, you will provide the strategic governance and financial leadership needed to strengthen organisational performance and deliver sustainable outcomes for the Shire.

This is an opportunity to make a genuine and lasting impact. Council is looking for a CEO who can build confidence, foster a high-performing and accountable organisational culture, strengthen relationships across the community and support a cohesive and effective Councillor group. You will lead with authenticity, transparency and integrity, providing frank, fearless and evidence-based advice while creating an environment where people feel valued, empowered and connected.

The successful candidate will bring the strategic capability to navigate complex challenges including financial sustainability, changing community expectations, infrastructure priorities, disaster recovery and environmental resilience. Equally important will be your ability to see future possibilities, embrace innovation, challenge the status quo and identify new opportunities to enhance the prosperity, liveability and reputation of Hepburn Shire.

About You

You are an energetic, pragmatic, self-aware and people-focused leader with a track record of leading through complexity and delivering meaningful change.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated executive leadership experience in a complex service-delivery environment.
• Strong governance, financial management and organisational leadership capability.
• Outstanding communication and relationship building skills as evidenced by the ability to build trust and credibility with Councillors, staff, community members and stakeholders.
• Experience in creating high-performing, customer-focused and accountable cultures.
• The confidence to provide clear, objective and evidence-based advice.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to make disciplined decisions and prioritise competing demands.
• A collaborative leadership style that empowers others, develops talent and promotes innovation.
• A commitment to transparency, fairness and community outcomes.

Council welcomes applications from accomplished leaders both from within local government and from comparable sectors where stakeholder engagement, financial stewardship and public impact are central to success.

The Opportunity

This is a unique chance to lead a proud and distinctive region with enormous potential. Supported by an experienced executive team and a committed Council, you will have the opportunity to strengthen organisational stability, improve community confidence, elevate Hepburn Shire's profile and help shape a thriving future for its communities.

Build trust. Lead with purpose. Create lasting impact.

For a position description or to apply please visit the McArthur website at www.mcarthur.com.au, referencing job number J9980 in the search bar.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Fiona Bain or Danielle Jupp on 03 565.

Applications Close: Sunday 4th October 2026.