- Shape the agenda
- Influence investment
- Help deliver Townsville's next chapter

Few roles offer the opportunity to influence a city's future across such a diverse portfolio.

Townsville City Council is seeking an accomplished strategic leader to drive major city-shaping programs, strengthen government and stakeholder relationships and ensure Townsville's priorities are clearly articulated and effectively advanced.

As Northern Australia's largest local government authority, Council is focused on growing Townsville through economic diversity, an enriching lifestyle and the development of a vibrant, sustainable and innovative city. Council employs approximately 1,700 staff, manages assets approaching $9 billion and operates with an annual budget of $868.1 million.

Reporting directly to the Director Planning, Environment and Lifestyle, the Head of Advocacy & Strategic Programs will lead a small team and work across Council to translate strategic priorities into coordinated programs, partnerships, advocacy initiatives and tangible outcomes for the city.

The opportunity

This is both a strategic and hands-on leadership role.

You will bring together expertise from across Council, develop evidence-based positions and ensure Townsville's civic and executive leadership is exceptionally well prepared for engagement with state and federal governments and other key stakeholders.

At the same time, you will provide strategic program leadership and coordinated delivery oversight across some of Townsville's most significant initiatives.

Your portfolio will include:

- CBD Activation, including end-to-end coordination of Council's two-year CBD Activation Program and establishment of the CBD Taskforce governance framework.
- Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, acting as Council's central coordination point for Townsville's host-city planning, readiness and delivery obligations.
- Townsville 2032 Legacy Action Plan, coordinating activity designed to maximise long-term economic, social, tourism and community outcomes.




- Economic Development Strategy, leading its finalisation and implementation and translating strategic priorities into coordinated delivery plans and measurable outcomes.
- Strategic partnerships, managing relationships with key stakeholders and funded entities, monitoring outcomes, risks and opportunities and identifying opportunities to leverage external investment.
- Government engagement and advocacy, developing the research, submissions, briefings and engagement program required to advance Townsville's priorities with decision-makers.

What you will bring

We are looking for an experienced leader who can operate confidently at the intersection of strategy, government, advocacy, economic development and complex program delivery.

You will understand how government works and how to turn a strategic priority into a compelling, evidence-based proposition. Just as importantly, you will know how to bring people together internally, reconcile competing priorities and create the governance, momentum and accountability required to turn strategy into delivery.

You will bring:

- Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in advocacy, program management or government-facing roles.
- Strong strategic leadership and demonstrated experience delivering complex programs or projects.
- High-level communication, negotiation, influencing, problem-solving and relationship-building capability.
- Exceptional written skills, particularly in preparing executive briefings, reports, submissions and formal correspondence.
- Demonstrated experience engaging stakeholders and communities in strategies, programs and large-scale projects delivering economic,



social and environmental outcomes.
- An ability to cultivate effective partnerships across government, industry, business and the broader community.
- Strong judgement, resilience and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and demanding deadlines.

Experience within local government is not essential. Candidates from federal or state government, ministerial offices, advocacy, economic development and other government-facing environments are encouraged to consider the opportunity, provided they bring a sound appreciation of local government's governance environment and public-purpose mandate.

Why Townsville?

This is an opportunity to help shape a focused advocacy and strategic programs function while contributing to decisions with lasting community impact. The role places you at the centre of issues that will influence Townsville's future: CBD activation, Brisbane 2032 and its legacy, economic development, strategic partnerships, regional collaboration and government investment. It is also an opportunity to make your mark in a city with a diverse economic base across sectors including defence, education, health and critical minerals, while enjoying the lifestyle and community that come with living and working in North Queensland.

If you are an accomplished strategist, program leader or government relations skilled looking for an prospect where your work can have a visible impact on the future of a major Australian regional city, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

How to apply

Please visit www.mcarthur.com.au search J10174 to request the Candidate Information Pack, or for a confidential discussion please contact: Julie Barr, Manager - Executive Search 07 3211 9***

Applications close COB 30 November 2026 and should include a current résumé and a covering letter outlining your relevant leadership experience and alignment with the selection criteria contained in the Pack.

Request Candidate Information Pack

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📌 Head of Advocacy & Strategic Programs (Townsville)
🏢 Mcarthur
📍 Townsville