Strategy

Position Number: P01200

Directorate: Strategy & Corporate Services

Service:
Strategic Property & Commercial
Activities Service

Location: Katoomba HQ

Date
Created/Updated

10 June 2026

Position
Classification:

Band: 11

POSITION PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

The Program Leader – Property, Portfolio & Strategy provides strategic leadership,
governance and commercial oversight across Council’s commercial, community and
operational property portfolio, including built assets and statutory land functions.

The role is responsible for ensuring Council’s land and property assets are managed in a
commercially sound, compliant, protected and financially sustainable manner, aligned with
organisational priorities and community outcomes.

The position provides high-level strategic advice on portfolio performance, statutory land
matters, commercial opportunities, acquisitions, disposals and investment priorities,
supporting informed, transparent and defensible decision-making across Council’s
property portfolio.

The position leads a strategic, portfolio-wide approach to property and building
management, integrating operational performance, compliance obligations, asset risk and
service demand to inform long-term investment, renewal and optimisation priorities.
The role also plays a key part in driving portfolio transformation, optimising asset
utilisation, and supporting place-based investment and commercial activation outcomes
across the organisation.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to Title: Manager - Strategic Property & Commercial
Activities

Staff Responsibility: 5-7

Key Internal Relationships: All Services, Councillors and Executive
Leadership Team.

Key External Relationships: NSW Government agencies, Crown Land
representatives, valuers, legal advisors,

consultants, community stakeholders, statutory
authorities and commercial partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Portfolio Leadership

- Provide strategic leadership across Council’s property portfolio and statutory land

functions to ensure assets are managed in a commercially sound, compliant, safe,
sustainable and strategically aligned manner.

- Develop and implement portfolio-wide strategies, governance frameworks and

operational priorities that support Council’s long-term financial sustainability, service
delivery objectives and Community Strategic Plan.

- Translate operational performance, risk data and service demand into strategic

investment priorities, renewal programs and portfolio planning initiatives.
- Ensure all portfolio decisions support Council’s long-term financial sustainability,

service delivery objectives and organisational priorities.
- Lead a portfolio-wide approach to asset renewal, compliance risk, optimisation and

long-term service planning.
- Provide high-level strategic advice relating to property risks, opportunities, investment

priorities, utilisation and emerging portfolio issues.
- Ensure probity, transparency and defensible decision-making across all property and

land matters.
- Lead the integration of commercial, operational and place-based priorities to support

portfolio transformation, precinct planning and long-term asset value.

Commercial Property & Statutory Governance

- Oversee leasing, licensing and commercial negotiations across Council’s property

portfolio to optimise revenue, utilisation and tenant outcomes.
- Provide governance and oversight of statutory land matters including acquisitions,

disposals, road closures, easements, dedications and Crown land processes.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation including the Crown Land Management

Act, Roads Act, Local Government Act and Just Terms Compensation Act.
- Oversee Native Title, Aboriginal Land Claim and related statutory considerations to

support lawful and culturally appropriate outcomes.
- Monitor portfolio performance and identify opportunities for strategic intervention,

repositioning and improved commercial outcomes.

Property & Buildings Portfolio Oversight





- Oversee the operational and strategic performance of community, operational and

commercial property and buildings assets.
- Ensure compliance with relevant WHS, fire safety, building, environmental health and

insurance requirements.
- Monitor asset condition, utilisation, compliance and operational performance,

identifying risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Oversee portfolio systems, maintenance governance, contractor management and

procurement activities in accordance with Council requirements and approved
delegations.

Investment, Divestment & Financial Performance

- Lead the strategic development and oversight of Council’s property investment and

divestment initiatives.
- Provide oversight of financial performance across the portfolio including leasing

revenue, acquisitions, disposals and operational expenditure.

- Analyse portfolio-wide financial, utilisation and performance data to inform investment

priorities, commercial strategies and return-on-investment outcomes.
- Support the preparation of business cases, feasibility assessments and strategic

recommendations relating to property investment opportunities.
- Ensure all property-related financial activities, revenue streams and fees are

monitored, reconciled and managed in accordance with Council requirements and
approved delegations.

- Oversee operational and capital budget performance across the portfolio.

- Provide high-level financial reporting, forecasting and strategic advice relating to asset

investment, lifecycle planning and funding priorities.
- Support the development of business cases, renewal programs and strategic

investment initiatives.
- Identify and pursue grant funding and co-investment opportunities that support

portfolio transformation and asset sustainability outcomes.

Team Leadership & Capability

- Provide leadership, mentoring and direction to the commercial property team.

- Set priorities, manage workloads and establish clear performance expectations

aligned with service objectives.
- Build team capability to manage complex property, commercial and statutory matters.

- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, professionalism and continuous

improvement.

Stakeholder & Organisational Leadership

- Develop and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, commercial

partners, community stakeholders and internal services.
- Represent the service in strategic discussions, property negotiations, organisational

initiatives and cross-functional projects.
- Provide expert property and commercial advice to senior leadership, Councillors and

key stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
- Engage with tenants, community users, consultants and service providers to balance

operational, compliance and financial outcomes.
- Represent the service in strategic planning initiatives, organisational projects and

cross-functional working groups.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

- We act as one organisation responding to the changing needs of our LGA and

community
- We are strategy led, driven by our Community Strategic Plan with clear priorities and

focus
- We are service focused, we continuously improve service provision and provide

excellent customer service
- We collaborate and work together to achieve our outcomes

- We ensure safety and well-being is at the centre of our organisation, operations and

culture
- We are a financially sustainable organisation, living within our means, ensuring best

value resource allocation

These Guidelines complement the Council’s adopted Values of: Work Together; Work
Safe Home safe; Service Excellence; Value for Money; Trust and Respect; and,
Supporting Community

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY





Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils
policies and procedures and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are
not limited to: identifying potentially unsafe situations or work practices and notifying your
Supervisor or Manager (or the Health, Safety Manager/Area Safety Representative);
never performing a task that you believe is dangerous or for which you do not have the
experience, or have not received appropriate instructions and training or where the correct
equipment to carry out the task safely is not available; always work in a safe manner and
in accordance with safety instructions, where applicable; use the work equipment supplied
for the job, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), and any personal
protective equipment, which the Council deems necessary and has provided; be safety
aware and report any actions to your line manager which will assist the Council to meet
its legal workplace health and safety obligations.

You have the right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work. In addition you are required
at all times to comply with Councils Asbestos Management Plan and Policy.

COMPLIANCE & RISK

You are responsible for ensuring that you conduct your risk management responsibilities
as described in council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy and Procedure (the
ERM Framework) with the goal of ensuring that potential issues are identified and reported
in a timely manner.

In undertaking your work should you identify contaminated land or potentially
contaminated land, including but not limited to Asbestos contamination you are required
to notify your supervisor immediately.

COMMUNICATION

The individual will communicate daily with a wide range of people both internally and
externally. Excellent verbal and written communication skills will be an important attribute
for the position.

JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING

The position exercises a high level of professional judgement in managing complex
commercial, statutory and strategic property matters.

The role is responsible for analysing risks, opportunities and competing priorities to
develop practical and commercially sound recommendations aligned with Council
objectives, legislative requirements and governance frameworks.

The incumbent operates with a high degree of autonomy within delegated authority and
provides strategic advice to support organisational decision-making on complex property
and land matters.

AUTHORITY

The position exercises delegated authority in relation to commercial property, statutory
land and portfolio management matters in accordance with Council policies, procedures
and delegations.

The role is responsible for overseeing commercial negotiations, portfolio initiatives and
operational decisions within approved budgets and strategic direction.

The position provides recommendations to the Manager on complex, high-risk or
strategically significant property matters.

SKILL, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

- Tertiary qualifications or Relevant Demonstrated experience of over 5 years or more

in property, planning, business, commercial management, law, or a related discipline,
or equivalent demonstrated experience in real estate or a similar field.

- Extensive experience in commercial property portfolio management functions.

- Experience managing and transforming large or diverse property portfolios.

- Proven strategic leadership experience within complex organisational environments.

- Demonstrated success in negotiating and delivering acquisitions and disposals.

- Strong commercial and business acumen.

- Exceptional written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.

DESIRABLE

- Experience in local government.

- Demonstrated knowledge of NSW statutory frameworks including Crown Land, Roads,

Local Government Act and Just Terms legislation.
- Experience in Statutory Land Dealings associated with Local Government Act.

📌 Program Leader – Property Portfolio & Strategy/10073) (Katoomba)
🏢 Blue Mountains City Council
📍 Katoomba