Coomalie Community Government Council delivers essential municipal services, infrastructure and community amenities across Batchelor, Adelaide River, Lake Bennett and surrounding rural localities in the Northern Territory. Serving residents, community groups, Indigenous communities, pastoralists and regional commercial operators, Council is entering an important period of renewal focused on financial sustainability, stronger service delivery, productive assets and renewed community confidence.

Council is seeking an energetic, practical and highly visible Chief Executive Officer to lead this organisational reset and establish a strong platform for the next three years and beyond. Reporting to the Elected Council through the Council President, the CEO will be Council's principal advisor and head of administration under the Local Government Act 2019 (NT).

This is a broad, influential role combining strategic, commercial, operational and ethical leadership. The CEO will help formulate and deliver Council's next five-year strategic plan, long-term financial plan and annual municipal plans, while ensuring Council resolutions are implemented prudently and transparently. As the vital link between Elected Members and staff, you will provide clear, objective advice, maintain appropriate governance boundaries and translate Council priorities into disciplined projects, measurable outcomes and lasting community value.

A key early priority will be strengthening Council's financial position and management discipline. You will improve budgeting, cost forecasting and plain-English reporting; identify efficiencies; remove unnecessary expenditure; and actively pursue grants and external funding. With oversight of an operating budget of approximately $5.8 million, capital works programs and a workforce of around 15 to 20 employees,



you will bring commercial judgement and accountability to decisions across the organisation.

Leadership at Coomalie is not office-bound. You will maintain a genuine presence across the Shire's roads, drainage networks, depots, plant, public facilities and community assets. This includes strengthening project planning, inspecting works, assuring the quality of internal and contractor delivery, verifying standards and ensuring Council receives what it has paid for. You will also help guide emergency response and recovery activity during seasonal weather events, floods, fires and other natural emergencies.

The CEO will monitor the ongoing value of contractor use versus in-house capability to maximise service delivery and value, while progressively building a skilled in-house workforce where appropriate. You will improve workforce stability, strengthen safety and accountability, address workplace friction promptly, and create open communication between administration, depot crews and regional field teams. Council is looking for a leader who sets practical quality standards, supports frontline staff and leads by visible example.

Equally important will be your ability to rebuild trust through accessible, responsive and transparent engagement. You will engage proactively with residents, community groups, Indigenous communities and pastoralists,



while building constructive relationships with government agencies and neighbouring councils and representing Coomalie at Northern Territory local government forums and ministerial meetings. Integrity, sound judgement and the confidence to navigate competing priorities will be essential.

You will bring demonstrated leadership through organisational change, financial improvement or operational turnaround, supported by solid governance and stakeholder management capability. A practical understanding of civil maintenance, plant, drainage, infrastructure, assets or field operations will be highly regarded, as will experience securing grants and building workforce capability. Appropriate tertiary qualifications in business, commerce, finance, public administration, engineering or a related discipline are preferred, although substantial equivalent executive experience will also be considered. A current unrestricted Australian driver's licence and the ability to obtain the required statutory clearances are essential.

How to Apply

Before applying, we strongly encourage you to download the comprehensive candidate information pack. This pack contains the detailed Position Description and further insights into the role, the organisation and the region. To access the pack, please visit mcarthur.com.au and enter reference J10013 into the job search function.

To be considered for this role, your application must include:

1. A current Resume; and
2. A tailored Cover Letter (maximum two pages) that specifically addresses the Key Selection Criteria as outlined in the candidate information pack.

For a confidential discussion regarding this significant executive opportunity, please contact Matt Weston on (07) •••• •700.

Applications close: Monday 9 November 2026

📌 Chief Executive Officer (Batchelor)
🏢 Mcarthur
📍 Batchelor