General Manager Community Life

The Surf Coast Shire, located in south-western Victoria, 1.5 hours from Melbourne, 20 minutes south of Geelong, is the official start of the iconic Great Ocean Road. Our region spans the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung People, and the Gulidjan and Gadubanud Peoples of the Eastern Maar. We acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners of the land and we are committed to walking with them, and all First Nations people in our community, towards Reconciliation.

The Surf Coast Shire is blessed with unique environments from the coast to the hinterland - towns and villages with their own culture and lifestyles. The charm and values of a coastal lifestyle make it, more than ever, a place where people want to live, work, visit and experience an exceptional quality of life. Our workforce is representative of the townships and communities it serves, and our culture is supportive, respectful, and connected to our purpose of helping our community and environment to thrive.  At Surf Coast, we work together, we see opportunity, we do what we say, and we make a difference.

We empower our people to do their best and be proud of their achievements. We have a commitment to growth and development with opportunities for learning and growth.  Our employees enjoy a contemporary working environment with flexibility and hybrid working arrangements.

The Community Life Division strives to be a centre of excellence in the things we do as an organisation that support people to have a great life - whether it’s in our open space or through the services we provide over the life spectrum from early childhood to our aging community. It includes how we support and facilitate people to make the most of their lives in Surf Coast Shire. It’s all the things that enable people to do the things they love doing.

Enabling community is a fundamental part of this work, which relates to how, in the context of finite resources, we can extend our capacity by enabling the talent we have in our community to assist us to achieved our shared goals.

The General Manager Community Life is responsible for leading the portfolios of Community Safety, Community Strengthening, Community Support and Operations.

We are seeking an outstanding experienced senior leader with a demonstrated commitment to building high performance teams to deliver results for our community.

Someone who brings experience, innovation, and a high level of emotional intelligence to this leadership role.

To be successful in this role you:

• Drive purpose and direction, painting a compelling picture that motivates others to action.
• Create a culture of high performance and accountability in the division.
• Lead the development of the Community Life Division in accordance with strategic and business plans.
• Create a professional customer-first culture to support the delivery of services.
• Have the assertiveness to drive outcomes and the ability to overcome adversity and resistance.
• Have a history of building strong collaborative relationships that create trust, a sense of belonging and enable an integral contribution to the executive team.
• Display highly effective management of divisional resources including responsible management of finances.

Key Selection Criteria

• Degree qualifications in Business, Social Sciences, Social Planning, Community Development or a

  related discipline.

• A demonstrated track record of success in applying skills and knowledge developed through experience over at least 10 years in the management of Community based functions and services.
• Relevant management experience developed over at least 5 years in a senior management role in service driven mid to large sized organisations.
• A current Victorian driver’s license.
• A current WWCC.
• Police Check results that are suitable for this position (will be arranged by Surf Coast Shire

  Council). A complete international criminal history check is required if the person has worked or lived overseas for any period of time OR a complete national criminal history check is required if the person has only ever worked in Australia.

  Desirable Qualifications and Experience
• Proven local government experience in a Director or senior management role with similar responsibilities.
• Post Graduate qualifications in Business Management or a related field.
• Sound understanding of social, political and legal frameworks within which local government operates.
• A proven track record of professional achievement delivering contemporary outcomes using a

  hands-on approach in partnerships with diverse community and government agencies and groups.

• Extensive experience in a senior management role and an understanding of the portfolios of family

  services, positive ageing, community development and engagement (preferably in Local Government).

• High level skills in community consultation, advocacy, negotiation, partnerships and service delivery.
• Proven people leadership skills which build, mentor and maximises the capability of staff and line managers.
• A balanced strategic and operational outlook that can influence at a senior level.
• Capacity to develop and consolidate a positive and productive workplace culture in line with our organisational values of respect, integrity, collaboration and innovation.

Our employees play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, respectful and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional services to our thriving community and it’s why our Council is committed to providing a workplace culture of equity, inclusion and diversity that eliminates all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying. We value the uniqueness of individuals and provide an environment in which all employees are able to contribute to our success. 

• Flexible working arrangements including working from home and flexi time options

• Career development & learning opportunities, we help our people grow
• Purchase of additional annual leave
• Free onsite parking
• Leave loading
• Employee Assistance Program and award-winning staff wellbeing program.

More information on the role accountabilities, and the key selection criteria can be found in the Position Description which is available on our website.

If you believe you have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil this role and would like further information, please contact Chris Pike on 5261 0600.

Council embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages applications from skilled people from all walks of life. This includes women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with a disability, sexually and gender diverse people, people with lived experience and people of all ages.

Applications should include a:

• cover letter
• statement addressing the selection criteria
• copy of your resume.

Please note that only applications with a statement addressing the selection criteria will be considered for this position.

To apply for this position, you must have the permanent right to live and work in Australia.

Simply complete the application process by clicking the "Apply Now" button and we'll be in touch with you shortly regarding your application.

Applications close at 11:59pm Sunday 17 March 2024

Surf Coast Shire Council is an equal opportunity and child safe employer and completes police checks for all employees.