About Balonne Shire Council

Located in the heart of South West Queensland, Balonne Shire is a region where agriculture, community and opportunity come together. Home to the thriving townships of St George, Dirranbandi, Thallon, Bollon, Nindigully and Hebel, the region is renowned for its world-class irrigated cotton production, broadacre agriculture, livestock industries and the iconic Balonne River system that underpins both its economy and way of life.

Bordering New South

Wales and strategically positioned within one of Australia's most productive agricultural regions, Balonne Shire continues to build on its strong economic foundations while embracing new opportunities in regional development, tourism and investment. Its communities are resilient, welcoming and deeply connected, offering an enviable lifestyle where genuine relationships, community spirit and quality of life are highly valued.

Balonne Shire Council plays a vital role in shaping the region's future through the delivery of essential infrastructure, services and community outcomes. With a strong commitment to sound governance, financial sustainability and customer-focused service delivery, Council is focused on supporting growth while preserving the unique character and liveability of its communities.

This is a Council that values collaboration, integrity and innovation. As it continues to strengthen its organisation and respond to emerging opportunities, Council is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic leadership, build organisational capability and partner with the Mayor and Councillors to deliver a shared vision for the future.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Mayor and working closely with Councillors, the Chief Executive Officer will lead the organisation across all aspects of Council operations, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of services while positioning Balonne Shire for long-term success.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a balance of strategic thinking,



commercial acumen and genuine community engagement. The CEO will provide leadership across governance, financial management, organisational performance, infrastructure, community services, economic development and disaster management, while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation and collaboration throughout the organisation.

Equally important is the CEO's role as the public face of Council. Success will come from building authentic relationships with Councillors, employees, residents, government agencies, industry and regional partners, representing the interests of Balonne Shire with credibility and integrity.

As Chief Executive Officer, you will:

- Lead the organisation in delivering Council's strategic vision, partnering effectively with elected members to achieve community priorities.
- Drive a high-performing, values-based culture focused on accountability, innovation and service excellence.
- Ensure sound financial stewardship, governance and long-term organisational sustainability.
- Provide strategic leadership across infrastructure, community services, economic development, planning and disaster management.
- Build trusted relationships with Councillors, employees, community leaders, government and industry stakeholders.
- Champion continuous improvement, organisational capability and leadership development.
- Represent Council in negotiations and partnerships with State and Federal Government, industry and regional organisations.
- Promote strong community engagement and ensure Council remains responsive to the needs of its diverse communities.

About You





Balonne Shire Council is seeking a team-oriented and authentic executive leader who combines strategic capability with a genuine commitment to regional communities. You understand the unique opportunities and challenges of leading in a regional environment and recognise that visibility, trust and relationships are fundamental to success. You are an experienced executive who can confidently navigate complex stakeholder environments, provide sound strategic advice and lead organisational performance while maintaining a strong focus on community outcomes.

Additionally, you will bring:

- Proven executive leadership experience within a large, complex or community-focused organisation.
- Strong expertise in strategic planning, financial management, governance and organisational leadership.
- Highly developed stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Experience working within politically sensitive or highly regulated environments, ideally alongside elected representatives.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organisational change, develop high-performing teams and foster a positive workplace culture.
- Exceptional judgement, integrity and a commitment to delivering public value through effective local government leadership.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a respected regional Council and make a meaningful contribution to the future of one of Queensland's most connected and resilient communities. Please visit the detailed candidate page for further information and to apply: www.luminarypartners.com.au/balonne

General inquiries to: @luminarypartners.com.au

Confidential inquiries to

Elena Ryan, Senior Associate, Luminary on 0422 584 ***

Applications close: Midnight, Monday 24th August 2026

Luminary is committed to storing and utilising your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. For further information regarding this please visit: https://www.luminarypartners.com.au/privacy-policy

📌 Chief Executive Officer (Brisbane)
🏢 Luminary Partners
📍 Brisbane