Service Planning & Improvement Partner

Shoalhaven City Council; Nowra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave entitlements

Long Service Leave after 5 years

Flexitime for indoor staff

9-day fortnight for outdoor staff

Flexible and remote working

Job summary

Shoalhaven City Council is seeking an experienced professional to drive organisation-wide service improvement and change initiatives in Nowra. You will partner with leaders to build capability, strengthen planning, and improve performance aligned with community priorities.

The role reports to the Business Improvement Lead and involves coaching managers and teams across a cross-functional landscape. The ideal candidate has a tertiary qualification in business improvement or extensive related

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in business improvement-related field or extensive experience implementing service planning, change management or business improvement.
• Proven ability to coach and mentor managers and teams to deliver service planning and improvement initiatives.
• Experience delivering organisation-wide improvement projects in complex operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive organisation-wide improvement and change initiatives that enhance service delivery and community outcomes.
• Partner with leaders to build capability, strengthen service planning, and drive performance.
• Design and deliver coaching to build capability of service managers and teams.
• Align service planning with organisational strategy to deliver value for the community.
• Maintain effective stakeholder relationships and manage change communications.

Skills

Service planning

Change management

Coaching & mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary qualification in business improvement-related field

Job description

• Temporary / Full Time / 12 Month Contract
• 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday) with the option of flexitime
• Located at Nowra Administration Building, Bridge Road, Nowra
• Successful applicants will be interviewed Thursday, 29 October 2026

About the Role

Drive the delivery of organisation-wide improvement and change initiatives that enhance service delivery and community outcomes. Partner with leaders and teams to build capability, strengthen service planning, and drive organisational performance that delivers value in line with community priorities.

Reporting directly to the Business Improvement Lead, the main duties of this role include:

• Delivering Service Planning & Improvement project activities across the organisation's diverse and cross-functional services.
• Collaborating on the development of organisational frameworks and processes that support teams to plan and deliver services that achieve value in line with community priorities.
• Designing and delivering coaching and support to build capability by strengthening the skills, knowledge and confidence of service managers and teams.
• Working with service managers and teams to strengthen how they align service planning with organisational strategy, with a focus on delivering value in line with community priorities.
• Establishing and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships, with an understanding of impacts of change and the importance of keeping stakeholders informed.

Please refer to the Job Description under the Job Attachments for a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities and skills required.

The advertised salary is based on the grade of the position, comprising of 4 steps within the range shown. The starting salary is at Step 1 within the grade. Progression through the salary steps shall be based upon the achievement of performance objectives relating to the position.

About You

To be successful in the position, you will have:

• Tertiary qualification in business improvement-related field such as business, management, public administration, corporate planning or other relevant discipline; and/or extensive experience implementing service planning, change management, business improvement or relevant area.
• Proof of Australian residency or citizenship, or authority to work in Australia (visa).
• Experience delivering service and/or organisation improvement projects and managing change in a complex operational environment demanding clear strategic alignment.
• Demonstrated ability with coaching and mentoring that is relevant for building the capacity of managers and teams to lead service planning, improvement and change initiatives.

Our ideal candidate will possess highly developed interpersonal and communication skills and will be a collaborative and resilient professional who thrives under pressure and who is committed to delivering great community outcomes.

Applicants who progress to pre-employment checks may be required to undergo a Qualification Check, Work Rights Verification, Reference Checks and Medical (Low Risk). Employment is subject to satisfactory outcomes for all required checks.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Casey Holtom - Business Improvement Lead - 02 4429 3***

Why Work with Us

The Shoalhaven area is a unique place of great natural beauty, offering an enviable lifestyle and positive work-life balance. Our workforce is our greatest asset, and we pride ourselves on our people. Our teams are talented and inclusive and work together to provide better outcomes for our community, who are at the heart of everything we do. With a diverse range of professions and roles, we offer many career options and pathways, actively promoting opportunities and encouraging staff professional development.

Benefits include:

• Generous leave entitlements
• Long Service Leave after 5 years
• Option of flexitime for indoor staff
• 9-day fortnight for outdoor staff
• Flexible and remote working arrangements
• Novated lease arrangements available
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP), discounted health insurance
• NSW Welcome Experience

**Conditions apply as per the Local Government State award, and Council policies

Shoalhaven City Council is committed to creating a workplace that reflects our diverse community. We welcome applicants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with a disability, culturally diverse individuals, and LGBTQIA+ community members. We ensure equitable recruitment practices, and encourage applicants living with a disability to request reasonable adjustments. As a Child Safe Organisation, we uphold the rights and safety of all children and young people.

Applications Close

Monday 12 October 2026 (at midnight)