Director Infrastructure and Development

McArthur; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Alexander Shire Council seeks a Director Infrastructure and Development to join its Executive Team and shape the next chapter for the organisation and the community. Lead a broad portfolio including Engineering, Planning, Parks, and Development Services to deliver high-impact projects.

You will champion sustainability, biodiversity and community engagement, build trusted partnerships, and guide major infrastructure upgrades across Castlemaine and surrounding towns.

Qualifications

• Experience leading within complex, community-facing organisations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building.
• Proven track record delivering infrastructure, development or place-based outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead a broad portfolio: Engineering, Operations, Waste, Parks and Planning.
• Guide strategic direction and ensure delivery of services and projects.
• Foster authentic engagement with communities, partners and stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation at executive level and build cross-team collaboration.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic leadership

Community partnerships

Governance & delivery

Relationship building

Education

Engineering degree

Planning or statutory planning background

Job description

Director Infrastructure and Development - Mount Alexander Shire

Lead projects that shape places, strengthen communities and enhance one of Victoria's most distinctive 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 Infrastructure and Development to join its Executive Team and help shape the next chapter for the organisation and the community it serves.

This is a unique leadership opportunity for an accomplished engineer, planner or place-based leader who understands the critical role infrastructure, development and community engagement play in creating thriving, sustainable communities.

The Opportunity

Mount Alexander Shire is entering an exciting period of investment, renewal and innovation.

Reporting to the CEO and working as a key member of the Executive Team, you will lead a broad and influential portfolio encompassing Engineering, Operations, Waste and Climate Change, Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Strategic and Statutory Planning, Development Services and Grants. You will help guide the strategic direction of the organisation while ensuring the successful delivery of services, projects and initiatives that matter to the community.

A number of significant projects are on the horizon, including major sporting and recreation infrastructure upgrades, community facility renewals, playground improvements and the continued delivery of Council's environmental and sustainability priorities.

You will lead important community-facing initiatives including Council's biodiversity agenda, waste transformation programs and the rollout of new food and organics collection services; helping to build understanding, support and participation across the municipality.

As a member of the Executive Team, you will champion the organisation's 'Delivering Together' values and lead by example through authentic engagement and collaboration. The same relationship-focused approach you bring to working with communities, partners and stakeholders will be reflected internally, fostering a culture of trust, connection and shared success.

Success in this role will not come from simply consulting with the community. It will come from genuinely engaging with people, listening to diverse perspectives, bringing stakeholders together and harnessing the ideas, energy and passion that make Mount Alexander such a distinctive place.

About You

You are an experienced executive or senior leader who understands how to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.

You may come from an engineering, infrastructure, strategic planning or statutory planning background, but above all you are recognised for your ability to build relationships, navigate complexity and lead through influence.

You will bring:

• A proven track record leading within complex, community-facing organisations.
• Exceptional internal and external stakeholder engagement skills and a genuine commitment to community partnership.
• Experience delivering significant infrastructure, development or place-based outcomes.
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial judgement and governance capability.
• The ability to contribute broadly across an executive team and organisational priorities.
• A leadership style that fosters collaboration, innovation and high performance.
• A passion for sustainability, biodiversity and creating lasting community value.

Most importantly, you will be a leader who sees community engagement as more than a process. You enjoy being visible, accessible and connected, and can build trust across a wide range of community, government and stakeholder groups.

Why Join Us?

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

You will help shape projects that improve the way people live, connect and thrive, while leading talented teams across a diverse and rewarding portfolio. Working alongside a supportive Executive Team and Council, you'll have the opportunity to bring fresh thinking, drive innovation 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 Close Wednesday 7th October 2027 at 6pm.