Director Healthy Communities

McArthur; Castlemaine; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Alexander Shire Council in Victoria seeks a Director Healthy Communities to join its Executive Team and lead a broad portfolio focused on wellbeing, inclusion and community resilience. You will collaborate with residents, businesses and government to translate needs into outcomes.

You are an experienced executive with a proven ability to drive place-based change, governance and partnerships to strengthen regional communities and ensure an inclusive, thriving shire.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in community-focused organisations.
• Proven ability to drive community change through collaboration and innovation.
• Strong understanding of inclusion, accessibility and social outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and advocacy skills.
• Experience with government, community groups and external partners.
• Strong governance, strategic thinking and political acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead a broad portfolio including Community Wellbeing, Inclusion, Youth Services, Ageing and Aged Care, Community Development, Emergency Management and Tourism.
• Champion inclusion, participation and resilience across the municipality.
• Shape economic and cultural development through tourism and arts initiatives.
• Advocate for the community with State and Federal Government and regional partners.
• Provide visionary, authentic leadership and build high-performing teams.

Skills

Leadership

Innovation

Collaboration

Inclusion

Stakeholder engagement

External partnerships

Strategic thinking

Governance

Political acumen

Delivery leadership

Job description

Lead initiatives that strengthen inclusion, resilience and wellbeing across one of Victoria's most distinctive and community-minded regional shires.

Mount Alexander Shire, situated on both Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is a place of rich history, beautiful heritage streetscapes, picturesque towns, stunning natural surrounds, a thriving local economy and a vibrant cultural life. Home to more than 20,000 people across Castlemaine, Harcourt, Maldon, Campbells Creek, Newstead, Elphinstone, Guildford, Chewton and Taradale, the Shire is known for its engaged, informed and passionate community, where people care deeply about the future of their place.

Mount Alexander Shire Council now seeks an exceptional Director Healthy Communities to join its Executive Team and help shape the wellbeing, resilience and prosperity of the community it serves.

This is a unique leadership opportunity for an accomplished community, social policy, health, economic development or place-based leader who understands the vital role local government plays in creating connected, inclusive and thriving communities.

The Opportunity

Mount Alexander Shire is entering an exciting period of renewal, innovation and community-focused transformation.

Reporting to the CEO and working as a key member of the Executive Team, you will lead a broad and influential portfolio spanning Community Wellbeing, Inclusion and Accessibility, Youth Services, Ageing and Aged Care, Community Development, Emergency Management and Community Resilience, Economic Development, Tourism, Business Support, Arts and Culture and Library Services.

This is a role that sits at the heart of community life.

You will work alongside residents, businesses, community organisations, service providers and all levels of government to ensure the needs, aspirations and priorities of the community are understood, championed and translated into meaningful outcomes.

A significant focus will be strengthening community resilience and emergency preparedness, ensuring the organisation and community are well positioned to respond to and recover from future challenges.

You will also play a key role in advancing inclusion and participation across the municipality, supporting diverse communities including people with disability, older residents, young people and LGBTQIA+ communities to feel connected, valued and represented.

Beyond community services, you will help shape the economic and cultural future of the Shire through leadership of tourism, business support, arts and cultural development initiatives that contribute to a vibrant and prosperous region.

As Council's advocate with State and Federal Government, community organisations and regional partners, you will identify opportunities, influence policy outcomes and secure support that delivers lasting benefit for the community.

Success in this role will not come from maintaining the status quo. It will come from bringing fresh thinking, challenging traditional approaches, building strong partnerships and finding new ways to deliver meaningful impact for the community.

About You

You are an experienced executive or senior leader who is passionate about communities and motivated by making a genuine difference in people's lives.

You may come from local government, community services, health, social policy, economic development or another community-focused sector, but above all you are recognised for your ability to inspire change, create partnerships and deliver outcomes in complex environments.

You will bring:

• A proven track record leading within complex, community-facing organisations.
• Experience driving organisational and community change through innovation and collaboration.
• Strong understanding of inclusion, accessibility, community wellbeing and social outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and advocacy skills.
• Experience working with government, community groups and external partners to achieve shared goals.
• Strong strategic thinking, governance capability and political acumen.
• The ability to balance long-term vision with practical delivery.
• A leadership style that fosters trust, energy, innovation and high performance.

Most importantly, you will be a visible and authentic leader who enjoys working with people, values diverse perspectives and has the courage to think differently about how communities can be supported to thrive.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of one of regional Victoria's most vibrant, creative and engaged communities.

You will influence strategic decisions that impact the wellbeing, resilience, inclusion and prosperity of the municipality while leading talented teams across a diverse and rewarding portfolio.

Working alongside a progressive Executive Team and Council, you will have the opportunity to drive innovation, strengthen community outcomes and leave a lasting legacy across the Shire.

If you are motivated by community impact, collaborative leadership and the opportunity to help shape the future of a remarkable region, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications will close on Monday 19th October 2026, 6pm.