- Lead community services, recreation, partnerships, customer experience, and cultural development.
- Modernise programs to deliver inclusive, high-quality services across a diverse community.
- Work with the CEO and councillors to shape strategy and foster a vibrant, resilient Peninsula.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is Victoria's premier destination municipality, celebrated for its vibrant townships, thriving agriculture, world-class landscapes, iconic tourist regions, and internationally significant conservation areas within a vital Green Wedge. As the state’s fifth largest Local Government Area, the Shire delivers more than 100 essential services to a diverse and growing community of 170,000 residents. These services encompass infrastructure, community wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and cultural initiatives, all supporting prosperity and liveability across the region. Home to one of Australia’s most dynamic tourism industries, the Mornington Peninsula attracts over 8 million visitors each year, generates $9.5 billion in economic output and sustains more than 62,000 jobs, underpinning its role as a cornerstone of Victoria’s visitor economy.
To ensure it continues to meet the needs of its community and capitalise on future opportunities, the Shire is embarking on a new organisational structure designed to modernise service delivery, strengthen leadership, and enhance collaboration across all functions. This is an exciting period of change and renewal, and the Council is seeking candidates who thrive in dynamic environments, bring fresh ideas, and are committed to driving transformation. Successful leaders will embrace innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement, ensuring the organisation remains responsive, future-focused and equipped to deliver outstanding outcomes for its residents, businesses, and visitors.
Reporting to the CEO, the Director Communities provides strategic and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio that includes Community Spaces & Recreation, Community Services, Community Partnerships & Engagement, Customer Experience & Service Improvement and Economic and Cultural Development. This role is central to ensuring that the Shire delivers services and programs that strengthen safety, enhance wellbeing and support prosperity, while fostering an inclusive, vibrant and resilient community. The position has broad scope, ranging from strategic and operational community planning through to cultural vitality and economic growth, requiring a leader who can balance complex and sometimes competing priorities. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will shape whole-of-Council direction, partner with elected members, and ensure that community-facing initiatives are aligned with the Shire’s long-term vision, while delivering responsive, high-quality services day-to-day.
To succeed, you will demonstrate a proven record of senior leadership within large and complex organisations, ideally in local government, the broader public sector or a community-focused environment. You will bring exceptional political acumen and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate diverse interests and integrate services to achieve sustainable outcomes. With expertise in strategy, service transformation and organisational development, you will be skilled at modernising programs to meet the evolving needs of a diverse population, while building trust and engagement across community groups. Just as importantly, you will be a people leader who inspires, unites and motivates multidisciplinary teams, creating a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement that delivers lasting value for the Mornington Peninsula community.
To view more information about the opportunities at Mornington Peninsula Council please view the microsite linked here: https://www.davidsonwp.com/mornington-peninsula-shire.
To apply, please click ‘apply now’ and upload your CV and Cover Letter. For any questions not outlined in the PD and for a confidential discussion, please contact Kate Rowe at 0412254802 or Seamus Scanlon at 0455 118 868.
Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.
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