The opportunity

Benalla Rural City is a welcoming, creative regional community about two hours from Melbourne, and it is growing. Council is creating a new Director role as part of the CEO’s new executive team, bringing together the functions that shape how Benalla looks, grows and works.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead a multi-disciplinary directorate of around 60 staff and provide strategic and operational leadership across:

- Infrastructure and assets: engineering and design, capital works, asset management, roads, drainage, parks and open space, fleet and depot
- Development services: strategic and statutory planning, building services, local laws and environmental health, Emergency Management
- Facilities and IT: property, digital strategy, systems, data governance and cyber security
- Project management: establishing a Project Management Office and securing grant funding and external revenue

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will be a trusted adviser to the CEO and Council, and may act as CEO in their absence. You will manage a large and varied asset base, plan for population growth and an ageing community, build climate resilience, and turn the Council Plan 2025–2029 into delivered projects and well-planned places. This role also has responsibility for the emergency recovery function of council.

About you

You are a strategic, collaborative executive with a coaching and empowering leadership style. You have the judgement to handle politically sensitive situations and the communication skills to present to Council, the community,



planning panels and tribunals.

You will bring

- Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Construction, Asset Management, Town Planning or a related discipline
- Substantial senior management experience leading a large, multi-disciplinary infrastructure, planning, environment or operations function
- Proven experience managing people, budgets, stakeholders and complex projects
- Experience in local government or a comparable community-focused setting
- Strong financial acumen and a sound grasp of asset management, risk and governance

Postgraduate qualifications, experience overseeing facilities or IT, VCAT or planning panel experience, and a regional or growth-area council background are highly regarded. What’s on offer An Executive / Senior Officer contract with a total remuneration package including base salary, superannuation and a full private use vehicle. You will lead in one of Victoria’s most creative regional communities and make a visible difference.

How to apply For a confidential discussion, contact Nick Kelly at GEM Executive on [0497 476 548](tel:0497 476 548).

Submit a detailed cover letter addressing the technical and behavioural skills in the Candidate Information Pack, together with your CV, to [email protected].

Applications close Monday 23 November.

Employment is subject to a satisfactory National Police Check, evidence of qualifications and proof of work eligibility. Benalla Rural City Council is an equal opportunity employer committed to a safe, harmonious and inclusive workplace

📌 Director Infrastructure, Place and Development (Benalla)
🏢 Gem Executive
📍 Benalla