Lead with purpose, empower your team, drive culture, and leave a legacy in one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities.

• Lead a complex, high-growth council
• Champion a cultural transformation
• Influence at the highest levels

About the City of Whittlesea

The City of Whittlesea is one of Australia’s fastest-growing municipalities, home to a diverse community of more than 220,000 residents — projected to grow to 380,000–400,000 by 2040. Spanning established southern suburbs and rapidly developing northern growth corridors, Whittlesea is a place of extraordinary opportunity and complexity.

Whittlesea has one of the largest Traditional Owners communities in Metropolitan Melbourne, culturally diverse population, significant green wedge land holdings, and major projects underway — including a future intermodal transportation hub and a major recreational facility in Mernda — the Council is firmly focused on delivering its vision: Whittlesea 2040: A Place For All.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Mayor and Council, the CEO will:

• Partner with elected Councillors to co-create and deliver the next four-year Council Plan, translating strategic vision into efficient, effective daily operations.
• Drive a genuine cultural transformation, evolving the organisation toward a contemporary, empowering leadership model that builds capability, confidence and accountability at every level.
• Lead and inspire a team of six direct reports and approximately 1,500 staff, fostering a high-performance, community-centric culture.
• Champion excellence in place-making, community wellbeing and stakeholder engagement to ensure Whittlesea is truly a place for all.
• Advocate powerfully at state and federal levels to secure the infrastructure investment this growing city needs.
• Ensure sound financial stewardship, organisational compliance and the delivery of quality services that meet and exceed community expectations.

About You

You are a proven senior leader with the political acumen, emotional intelligence and track record to thrive in one of Victoria’s most complex and rewarding local government roles. You will bring:

• Substantial local government experience at executive level, ideally including CEO experience, with a strong governance record and the confidence to navigate elected council dynamics with integrity.
• A contemporary, empowering leadership style that energises people, builds trust and fosters shared accountability and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex, large-scale change in a multi-stakeholder environment, balancing innovation with financial sustainability.
• High-level advocacy and stakeholder engagement capabilities, including strong connections across state and federal government.
• High emotional intelligence, resilience and the courage to provide frank and fearless advice to Council.
• A genuine commitment to environmental sustainability, community wellbeing, diversity and inclusion.
• Tertiary qualifications in management, business or a related discipline.

What We Offer

• A competitive remuneration package commensurate with the scope and complexity of the role.
• The opportunity to lead a forward-thinking, values-driven organisation at a pivotal moment in its growth.
• A Council committed to best-practice governance and a community with genuine ambition for its future.

How to Apply

This recruitment is being managed exclusively by Gem Executive. For a confidential discussion or to register your interest, please contact Nick Kelly at Gem Executive on 0497 476 ***.

Applications close: Tuesday, 9 June 2026

Attachments:
- CEO - PD.pdf