Operations Lead

McArthur; Echuca; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Nine-day fortnight and flexibleworking

Work-from-home flexibility

Supportive leadership team

Regional lifestyle

Job summary

Campaspe Shire Council in north-central Victoria seeks an accomplished Operations Lead to guide Works and Parks & Gardens across the shire, overseeing about 100 employees and a $20 million budget.

You will consolidate systems, strengthen Parks & Gardens leadership, mentor frontline leaders and set direction for the next 6–24 months, delivering programs for roads, parks and drainage.

Qualifications

• Operational leader with strategic thinking and disciplined delivery.
• Experience leading supervisors, field crews and contractors in complex service environments.
• Experience in civil works, parks or local government is highly regarded.
• Tertiary qualification in Civil Engineering, Parks Maintenance, Management or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary operational workforce to deliver Works and Parks & Gardens programs.
• Coach supervisors and build capability, confidence and teamwork.
• Plan and deliver annual and multi-year Works and Parks & Gardens programs.
• Improve operational systems, programming, reporting and continuous improvement.
• Lead safety, risk, quality and legislative compliance across staff and contractors.
• Manage budgets, contracts, plant and workforce resources for value for money.
• Monitor service performance and respond to changing conditions and priorities.
• Build relationships with internal leaders, contractors, the community and external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Financial acumen

Safety leadership

Budget management

Contract management

Contractor management

Change leadership

Education

Civil Engineering

Parks Maintenance

Management

Job description

Located in north-central Victoria, about 180 kilometres north of Melbourne, Campaspe Shire spans 4,519 square kilometres and has approximately 38,000 residents. Its historic townships, including Echuca, Kyabram, Rochester and Rushworth, offer an attractive regional lifestyle shaped by the Murray and Goulburn rivers.

Campaspe combines regional-centre amenities with close-knit rural communities. Agriculture, food processing and tourism underpin its economy, while river landscapes, open spaces and sporting facilities make it an appealing place to live and work.

Campaspe Shire Council delivers essential services and infrastructure across the municipality, guided by its values of respect, customer focus, improvement, teamwork and accountability.

Lead Essential Services. Strengthen People. Shape the Future.

Campaspe Shire Council is seeking an accomplished operational leader to guide the delivery of its Works and Parks & Gardens services. This is a strategic leadership opportunity to build capability, improve systems and ensure safe, reliable and responsive outcomes for communities across the shire.

The Role

Reporting to the Manager Operations and Projects, the Operations Lead will provide people-focused leadership across Works and Parks & Gardens. You will oversee about 100 employees, support staff and contractors and an operating budget of approximately $20 million.

You will lead maintenance programs aligned with Council budgets, service levels and asset priorities. The portfolio covers roads, footpaths and drainage, as well as parks, open spaces, recreation reserves, playgrounds, sporting ovals, arboriculture and street trees.

Your immediate focus will be to consolidate established systems, strengthen Parks & Gardens leadership, mentor frontline leaders and set a clear direction for the next six to 24 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, supportive leadership to a multidisciplinary operational workforce.
• Coach supervisors and build capability, confidence and teamwork.
• Plan and deliver annual and multi-year Works and Parks & Gardens programs.
• Improve operational systems, programming, reporting and continuous improvement.
• Lead safety, risk, quality and legislative compliance across employees, contractors and public interfaces.
• Manage budgets, contracts, plant and workforce resources to deliver value for money.
• Monitor service performance and respond to changing conditions, risks and community priorities.
• Build effective relationships with internal leaders, contractors, the community and external partners.

About You

You are an experienced operational leader who combines strategic thinking, disciplined delivery and genuine care for people. A collaborative listener, you build trust with operational crews and lead change while retaining what works.

You have led supervisors, field crews and contractors in civil works, construction, horticulture, parks or a similarly complex service environment. Experience across both Works and Parks & Gardens, local government, emergency response or organisational change will be highly regarded.

You will bring strong financial and commercial acumen, workforce planning, contractor management and safety leadership, along with a relevant tertiary qualification in Civil Engineering, Parks Maintenance, Management or a related discipline.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package
• Nine-day fortnight and flexible working arrangements.
• Work-from-home flexibility where operational requirements allow.
• A supportive, collaborative infrastructure leadership team.
• An outstanding regional lifestyle perfect for a tree-change with a strong local community.

The successful candidate will be required to hold a valid driver's licence and Employee Working with Children Check and complete a satisfactory National Police Check.

Campaspe Shire Council is committed to child safety, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

For a confidential conversation, please contact John Brownell on (03) 9828 6***.

Advertising closes Sunday 1 November 2026