We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking leader to manage our Community Growth & Prosperity team. This is an opportunity to influence the long-term growth and prosperity of our municipality by leading strategic planning, place-based initiatives and economic development opportunities.

About Northern Grampians Shire Council

Northern Grampians Shire Council has a diverse employment base, across 14 worksites in the Grampians Region of Victoria. We offer flexible work arrangements, providing access to relevant training and professional development opportunities with a variety of employee benefits. We promote innovation, responsiveness, respectfulness and continuous improvement as our core values. Being a smaller organisation, we can provide you with opportunities to act in leadership roles, transition between teams and participate in a range of collaborative projects with other team members or the wider community. We provide a supportive and flexible environment that values the balance between work and our employees' personal lives.

Why join us?

- Great Team Environment : A safe, respectful and supportive environment to enable you to thrive. You will work with like-minded, passionate individuals who love what they do.
- Professional Growth : We nurture talent and provide opportunities to flourish.
- Flexible Work Arrangements : To support your work life balance.
- Salary Packaging Options : Including remote area housing allowances and novated lease vehicles
- Access to Paid Leave : including purchased leave, paid parental leave, gender affirmation leave and to respond to family violence matters
- Employee Assistance Program : Your well-being matters - we've got you covered.
- Biodiversity : Explore our Council region's varied flora and fauna

Job Description

Lead the future of one of Victoria’s most unique regional communities.

Northern Grampians Shire Council is seeking an experienced and inspiring leader to drive initiatives that strengthen our communities, grow our economy and shape the future of our region.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a diverse, passionate and high-performing team delivering community development, economic development, tourism, strategic planning, major projects and regional partnerships.

We’re looking for an exceptional people leader with a passion for creating thriving communities,



building partnerships and delivering meaningful outcomes.

Whether your background is in community development, economic development, local government, regional development, place-making or planning, we’d love to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

At Northern Grampians Shire Council, you’ll have the prospect to make a genuine difference while enjoying the flexibility to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

We offer:

- Flexible working arrangements
- Work remotely from anywhere in Victoria*
- Minimum attendance of just 3 days per fortnight in our Stawell, St Arnaud or Halls Gap offices**
- A supportive Executive Leadership Team along with passionate and driven Teams
- The opportunity to influence strategic outcomes across an entire municipality
- A highly diverse portfolio with no two days the same

*Within travel distance

**Some additional attendance may be required for Council meetings, community engagement activities or key organisational events.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director Community Prosperity, you will lead a multidisciplinary department responsible for:

- Community Development
- Economic Development
- Tourism and Visitor Services
- Strategic Planning
- Community Planning
- Major Projects
- Investment Attraction
- Renewable Energy Engagement
- Business Development
- Corporate Planning

You’ll provide leadership to a talented team while working closely with Councillors, Executive Leadership, government agencies, industry and community stakeholders to deliver initiatives that improve liveability, strengthen local businesses and attract investment into the Northern Grampians.

This is a role where relationships matter just as much as technical expertise.

About You

You’re an experienced and collaborative leader who enjoys bringing people together to achieve positive outcomes.

You’ll bring:

- Extensive experience leading community-focused or regional development teams
- A demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships with community,



industry and government
- Experience leading complex projects and delivering strategic outcomes
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Experience managing people, budgets and organisational priorities
- A passion for strengthening communities and regional prosperity

Experience in local government will be highly regarded.

Qualifications

A tertiary qualification in one or more of the following (or a related discipline) would be highly regarded:

- Community Development
- Economic Development
- Regional Development
- Strategic or Statutory Planning
- Social Planning
- PublicPolicy
- Business
- Recreation
- Project Management

Candidates with equivalent experience are encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll lead the delivery of initiatives that:

- Strengthen community resilience
- Support economic growth
- Attract investment and new residents
- Deliver community planning projects
- Build partnerships across all levels of government
- Secure external funding
- Lead Council’s strategic planning and corporate planning activities
- Support renewable energy opportunities
- Champion innovation across the organisation
- Develop a high-performing, engaged team

What Success Looks Like

You’ll be someone who:

- Inspires and develops people
- Builds trusted relationships
- Think strategically while delivering practical outcomes
- Creates opportunities for communities to thrive
- Leads with integrity and collaboration
- Enjoys solving complex challenges

Why Northern Grampians?

Imagine finishing work and being minutes from the Grampians National Park.

Enjoy an affordable lifestyle, welcoming communities, outstanding wineries, world-class hiking and mountain biking, vibrant arts and culture, and the opportunity to truly influence the future of an entire region.

This is a career opportunity where your work will leave a lasting legacy.

If you'd like to know more contact Michelle Grainger, Director Community Prosperity at or call .

Applications close 5pm Sunday 16th August 2026

Northern Grampians Shire Council is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to providing a safe workplace that embraces and values child safety

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📌 Manager Community Growth and Prosperity (Stawell)
🏢 Ngshire
📍 Stawell