Director Public Spaces

Careers at Council; Taree; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

MidCoast Council invites applications for Director Public Spaces, a senior executive role shaping liveability and resilience in our region. You will lead a broad portfolio including community assets, open space, libraries and waste services, while guiding strategy and governance.

You will build high‑performing teams, drive innovation, and engage with government agencies and the community to deliver tangible benefits. Permanent, full-time appointment with competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary teams in local government or similar.
• Strong knowledge of governance, legislation and professional standards.
• Proven ability to develop long-term strategies delivering community benefits.
• Excellent financial, asset, risk and resource management skills.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation and stakeholder management.
• Ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of strategies, plans and services aligned with the Community Strategic Plan.
• Ensure governance, financial sustainability and operational performance of the division.
• Provide high-level advice to the General Manager and Council.
• Lead asset planning, lifecycle management and sustainable service delivery.
• Build high-performing teams and develop leadership capability.
• Strengthen community engagement and stakeholder relationships.
• Drive innovation, continuous improvement and better customer outcomes.
• Manage strategic, operational, financial, environmental, safety and reputational risks.
• Champion safety, inclusion and wellbeing culture.
• Represent Council with government agencies and community organisations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial management

Governance

People leadership

Change management

Education

Tertiary qualifications in management or related field

Job description

This is a significant leadership opportunity for a strategic, collaborative and delivery-focused executive who wants to help shape the future of one of New South Wales' most diverse and dynamic regional communities.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Director Public Spaces will lead a broad portfolio that directly contributes to the liveability, wellbeing and resilience of the MidCoast community.

• Strategy and projects
• Community assets
• Open space, recreation and cemeteries
• Trade services, fleet and workshops
• Waste services and facilities
• Libraries, community and cultural services

As a member of Council's Leadership Team and Extended Management Executive, you will contribute to whole-of-Council strategy, organisational performance, culture and decision-making.

About the role

As Director Public Spaces, you will provide strategic leadership across a diverse and complex portfolio of community services, assets and infrastructure.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the development and delivery of strategies, plans, programs and services aligned with Council's Community Strategic Plan.
• Ensuring the effective governance, financial sustainability and operational performance of the Division.
• Providing high-level advice to the General Manager, Leadership Team, Extended MANEX and Council.
• Leading asset planning, lifecycle management and sustainable service delivery.
• Building high-performing teams and developing leadership capability.
• Strengthening community engagement and stakeholder relationships.
• Driving innovation, continuous improvement and better customer outcomes.
• Managing strategic, operational, financial, environmental, safety and reputational risks.
• Championing a strong safety, inclusion and wellbeing culture.
• Representing Council with government agencies, community organisations, industry groups and other stakeholders.

About you

You are an experienced executive or senior leader with a strong record of leading diverse multidisciplinary teams in local government or a comparable organisation.

You will bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in management, project management, building, horticulture, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading complex service portfolios, assets, infrastructure or community-focused operations.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, governance requirements and professional standards.
• A proven record of developing high-performing teams and building organisational capability.
• Experience developing and delivering long-term strategies that achieve community benefit.
• Strong financial, asset, risk and resource management skills.
• Highly developed communication, influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to operate effectively in a politically sensitive environment.

You will be a visible, values-led leader who is comfortable working across strategic and operational matters. You will bring sound judgement, emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust with employees, elected representatives, the community and key stakeholders.

About the role

This is a significant leadership opportunity for a strategic, collaborative and delivery-focused executive who wants to help shape the future of one of New South Wales' most diverse and dynamic regional communities.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Director Public Spaces will lead a broad portfolio that directly contributes to the liveability, wellbeing and resilience of the MidCoast community.

• Strategy and projects
• Community assets
• Open space, recreation and cemeteries
• Trade services, fleet and workshops
• Waste services and facilities
• Libraries, community and cultural services

As a member of Council's Leadership Team and Extended Management Executive, you will contribute to whole-of-Council strategy, organisational performance, culture and decision-making.

About the role

As Director Public Spaces, you will provide strategic leadership across a diverse and complex portfolio of community services, assets and infrastructure.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the development and delivery of strategies, plans, programs and services aligned with Council's Community Strategic Plan.
• Ensuring the effective governance, financial sustainability and operational performance of the Division.
• Providing high-level advice to the General Manager, Leadership Team, Extended MANEX and Council.
• Leading asset planning, lifecycle management and sustainable service delivery.
• Building high-performing teams and developing leadership capability.Strengthening community engagement and stakeholder relationships.
• Driving innovation, continuous improvement and better customer outcomes.
• Managing strategic, operational, financial, environmental, safety and reputational risks.
• Championing a strong safety, inclusion and wellbeing culture.
• Representing Council with government agencies, community organisations, industry groups and other stakeholders.

About you

You are an experienced executive or senior leader with a strong record of leading diverse multidisciplinary teams in local government or a comparable organisation.

You will bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in management, project management, building, horticulture, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading complex service portfolios, assets, infrastructure or community-focused operations.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, governance requirements and professional standards.
• A proven record of developing high-performing teams and building organisational capability.
• Experience developing and delivering long-term strategies that achieve community benefit.
• Strong financial, asset, risk and resource management skills.
• Highly developed communication, influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to operate effectively in a politically sensitive environment.

You will be a visible, values-led leader who is comfortable working across strategic and operational matters. You will bring sound judgement, emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust with employees, elected representatives, the community and key stakeholders.

What we offer?

We are committed to the growth of our employees and have a range of benefits available to support wellbeing and career development. Click here to find out more.

Looking to relocate?

From housing and transport to community connections and personalised support - discover a range of local services designed to make your move to the MidCoast region easier. Learn more here.

Salary:

An attractive salary package, including a private-use vehicle, will be negotiated with the successful applicant based on their skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Location:

This position will be based at our Administration Centre in Yalawanyi Ganya at 2 Biripi Way, Taree. You may also be required to be based from other Council sites across the MidCoast Council region.

Tenure:

Permanent, Full Time.

Closing date:

Monday, 5 October 2026 at 11:00 pm.

For a confidential discussion about the role and its requirements, please contact Adrian Panuccio, General Manager on (02) 7955 7***.

For enquiries regarding the application process contact Corinne Matlawski, Human Resources Business Partner who is the HR representative for this role. Corinne can be reached on (02) 7955 7*** or at corinne.matlawski.

Our organisation

At MidCoast Council our people are our most important resource and we believe that we can only reach our full potential when you reach yours. This is the place for those who seek to play a role in the community and have an enthusiasm to learn and grow. Here you can make a real difference.

Our community is our customer and is at the centre of everything we do. We value, support and empower our people to deliver positive results for our community.

Right now, we are investing heavily in our organisation, and our people. Our Administration Centre is a state-of-the‑art facility designed to inspire innovation, creativity and collaboration. The building has been named 'Yalawanyi Ganya' which means "sitting/meeting place" in the Gathang language of the indigenous people across the MidCoast Region.

About the MidCoast Region

From lakes and estuaries to white sandy beaches to world heritage mountain wilderness, the MidCoast region offers an attractive lifestyle for everyone. Our community is characterised by its welcoming attitude, growing economy and natural beauty. These are the pillars of the quality of life we value.

Our commitment

At MidCoast Council we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities. Our aim is to provide all of our staff with an inclusive, safe and healthy working environment. We never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age or marital, veteran or disability status. If you have a disability and need to request any adjustments to assist with the application process, or to discuss workplace adjustments you may require, please contact the HR representative.

Council also recognises the skills and attributes of veterans and welcomes applications from ex-service personnel.