Manager Council & Executive Services

City of Greater Geelong; Geelong; On-site; AUD 138,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Greater Geelong is seeking a permanent full-time role that serves as the critical conduit between Councillors and the CEO’s Office. The role manages complex enquiries, coordinates public question time, supports Executive Leadership team meetings, and leads civic event planning for the Mayor’s office.

Successful candidates will have a tertiary qualification and significant senior leadership experience, with strong political acumen and a track record in cross-functional program delivery.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead teams in dynamic, high-profile environments.
• Demonstrated political acumen and ability to work with elected representatives.
• Experience coordinating programs across multiple teams and large-scale initiatives.
• Ability to anticipate issues and develop mitigation strategies.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to Mayor and Councillors to enable effective duties.
• Anticipate needs and advise on risks and improvement opportunities.
• Lead a customer-focused, accountable department culture.
• Coordinate civic events and ensure compliance with Local Government Act.
• Manage resources and budget planning with reporting on performance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Political acumen

Program coordination

Issue management

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant specialist field

Job description

About The Role

In this role, you will act as the critical conduit between Councillors and the CEO’s Office, managing complex enquiries, coordinating public question time processes and supporting Executive Leadership team meetings and briefings. You will provide dedicated support to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, oversee executive support services, and lead the planning and delivery of civic and community events that enable elected representatives to effectively fulfil their responsibilities.

About The Role

In this role, you will act as the critical conduit between Councillors and the CEO’s Office, managing complex enquiries, coordinating public question time processes and supporting Executive Leadership team meetings and briefings. You will provide dedicated support to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, oversee executive support services, and lead the planning and delivery of civic and community events that enable elected representatives to effectively fulfil their responsibilities.

Work type: Permanent full time

Classification: SPL role at $153,057 pa plus super pro rata

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide the Mayor and Councillors with the support required to enable them to perform their duties and maintain a positive reputation in the community.
• Anticipate the needs of the Mayor, Councillors, and internal customers, by providing advice about emerging issues, areas of risk, and opportunities for improvement.
• Motivate and provide strong operational leadership to the department by fostering an inclusive, customer focused and accountable culture.
• Lead change initiatives and act as a role model by demonstrating self-awareness, resilience, inclusion, and by encouraging cross-functional teamwork and collaboration.
• Supervise the effective coordination of a range of civic events, ceremonies and functions for the Mayor and Councillors office, ensuring all activities are compliant with the Local Government Act, and attending as required.
• Manage resources and budget planning to support effective operations, regularly tracking and reporting on performance against departmental goals.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have a tertiary qualification in a relevant specialist field, along with significant professional experience, including demonstrated senior leadership experience.

Essential Experience

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and lead others within a dynamic and high-profile environment, enabling high-functioning, productive and engaged teams to operate.
• Demonstrated political acumen and the ability to navigate complex political environments with sensitivity, discretion, and sound judgement, including working effectively with elected representatives and senior executives.
• Experience coordinating programs and working effectively across multiple teams and large-scale initiatives.
• The ability to anticipate issues and develop sound issues management mitigation

Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check (funded by the City) and obtain a current Working with Children’s Check.

Child Safety Responsibilities

We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy .

Diversity and Inclusion

At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.

We are the City

From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

Applications and Enquiries

Enquiries: Alana Martin | Chief Governance & Risk Officer

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