About the role

Baw Baw Shire is one of Australia's fastest-growing regional municipalities — a Council balancing the pressures of rapid population growth with the character of a thriving, liveable region. As the Shire navigates significant growth and change, Council is seeking an experienced senior leader to take on the role of Manager Active and Connected Communities — a pivotal position responsible for shaping how our community connects, participates and thrives.

Reporting to the Director Community and Planning Services, the Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across community development, social planning, recreation, inclusion, wellbeing and connected communities. The role is tasked with translating Council's strategic direction into integrated community planning, inclusive service delivery, meaningful partnerships and measurable wellbeing outcomes for people across Baw Baw Shire.

This is a genuine opportunity to lead a multi-disciplinary team, influence policy and program direction at the highest level, and leave a lasting mark on the health, participation and connectedness of a growing regional community.

What you'll be doing

Community strategy, planning and wellbeing — Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Council's community planning, social policy, health and wellbeing, inclusion and connected communities strategies, ensuring strategic priorities, community needs and resourcing are aligned to deliver measurable outcomes.

Inclusion, equity and community development — Strengthen community wellbeing, participation and resilience through contemporary community development and social justice principles, leading initiatives that respond to the needs of children, young people,



older people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Traditional Owners, newly arrived communities, LGBTIQA+ communities and people experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage.

Recreation, participation and connected communities — Lead the planning, improvement and delivery of recreation, participation and community programs, driving innovation and continuous improvement to strengthen access, participation and long-term sustainability.

Partnerships, engagement and advocacy — Build and maintain effective partnerships with community organisations, government agencies, service providers, advisory committees and other stakeholders, and lead engagement, consultation and advocacy approaches that support inclusive decision-making and community voice.

Leadership, governance and resource management — Provide visible, values-led leadership of a multi-disciplinary team including the Coordinator Social and Community Planning, Coordinator Recreation, Child and Family Safety Officer and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, while managing significant financial, people and operational resources in line with sound governance.

About you

You are a senior leader with a track record of driving community-centred reform and delivering measurable outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.



Candidates will bring:

- A relevant tertiary qualification in community development, social planning, public health, recreation planning, social policy, public administration or a related discipline, backed by significant senior leadership experience across these functions.
- Demonstrated success operating in complex organisational settings, ideally within local government or the broader public sector, leading community-focused strategy, service improvement, partnership development and wellbeing or participation outcomes.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and leading leaders, with robust capability in performance, accountability, workforce planning and capability building.
- Highly developed political acumen, with experience advising executives, governance bodies and senior stakeholders on complex, sensitive community matters.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, judgement and the ability to navigate ambiguity, competing priorities and diverse community needs.
- Outstanding communication, influence and stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to build trust across Council and the community.
- The ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy within broad strategic direction, while ensuring alignment with legislative and governance requirements.

How to Apply To obtain a candidate pack please copy and paste https://tinyurl.com/bdzdbfd9 into your browser, or contact Charlie Cole on [email protected] with any specific questions. Applications close on Sunday 13th September and all enquiries will be treated with absolute confidence. Third party or direct applications will be forwarded to Camden Search.

📌 Manager Active and Connected Communities, Baw Baw Shire Council (Melbourne)
🏢 Camden Search
📍 Melbourne