Executive Director of Communities

Job No: 55123
Location: Tennant Creek, NT

  • Strategic Executive Management position in the world's second largest local government area!
  • Attractive salary package circa $120,000 - $130,000 + 12% super! 
  • Housing provided!
  • Enjoy the use of a Council vehicle for work and personal use!

About the Organisation

The Barkly Regional Council was formed on 1st July 2008 and accepted responsibility for local government in the region formerly managed by various smaller Community Government Councils including the Tennant Creek Town Council. Since its formation the council has been undergoing consolidation and determination of its strategic goals and objectives. Services have been strengthened and quality of delivery improved.  Council has a strong commitment to a program of continuous improvement to ensure the best quality of service delivery possible within resources available, now and into the future. 

About the Region

The Barkly region covers an area 323,514km2 , 42% larger than Victoria and the second largest local government area in the world with a resident population of 8,137 (ABS – NT at a Glance 2011). Victoria is considered the second most populous Australian state with a density of 2,431 persons per one hundred square kilometres compared to the Barkly Region with its 2 persons in the same area. The council stretches from the Queensland border over 620 kilometres to west of the Stuart Highway and from north of Elliott 570 kilometres southwards on each side of the Stuart Highway to Barrow Creek. The largest town in the region is Tennant Creek located on the Stuart Highway approximately 1,000 kilometres south of Darwin and 500 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

About the Opportunity

Barkly Regional Council has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Local Government Professional to take the position of Executive Director of Communities based in Tennant Creek, NT.

This is a crucial position and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for leading and managing the Communities Department enabling successful delivery of community services and community programs across the Barkly region.  

The scope of your work will include providing strategic leadership, strategic direction and high level advice related to complex and sensitive community services and programs.  You'll manage a team of six Community Coordinators and numerous Program Coordinators.  

More specifically, your key responsibilities will include (but not be limited to):

  • Coordinating the development of Community Services and Community program strategies and initiatives;
  • Establishing strong industry and community networks & developing mutually beneficial outcomes for the delivery of community solutions;
  • Leading, developing and managing staff and their performance in conjunction with the Director of Human Resources;
  • Driving market and stakeholder research for the purposes of obtaining feedback on programs and initiatives;
  • Assisting with the establishment and review of goals, objectives, strategies and initiatives; and
  • Providing expert advice and analysis to Executive Management, the CEO and Councillors on all community services and programs.

To be considered, you'll have extensive experience and a proven track record in leading and managing a multidisciplinary team in the areas of community services or program management.  You'll have experience with, and an understanding of, Indigenous culture including the delivery of culturally appropriate programs and services. 

As part of the Executive Team, you'll be instrumental in reviewing goals, objectives, strategies and initiatives in accordance with the Council's strategic plan.  You'll be responsible for leading, managing and driving the development of budgets and department expenditure in accordance with the approved council budget whilst reporting to the CEO.  An understanding, or the ability to quickly familiarise yourself with relevant local government legislation will be required

Barkly Regional Council is looking for a strategic and creative leader with high levels of emotional intelligence and maturity in dealing with people from all levels of the organisation.  You'll be skilled in conflict resolution that provides a positive outcome for the council.  In addition, your strong communication and leadership ability will ensure that you are able to liaise at the executive and board level as well as develop and performance manage your team in an effective and consistent manner.  An understanding of contemporary Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations practices and policies is essential to your success in this role.

Importantly, you'll have strong stakeholder engagement skills and a solid understanding of the commercial and financial aspects of local government community services as well as strategic and financial risk.  Outstanding written communication and presentation skills, including speeches, are also essential as is competency with business technology and software, specifically the Microsoft Office suite of products.  

While not essential, candidates with relevant Degree level qualifications will be highly regarded and appropriate for this senior management role.

Please note you must obtain a Federal Police Clearance prior to commencing this role, and must hold a current open drivers license.  Capacity to travel intrastate will be required in this position. Work will involve travel and overnight stays in remote communities. Travel to some communities is by car often over long distances where self-sufficiency in relation to food, water, remote communication equipment such as satellite phones, personal locators is a requirement.

This is an opportunity to advance your career in an Executive Management position with the Barkly Regional Council.

Please click here to view a full position description.

About the Benefits

In return for your hard work, you will be rewarded with an attractive salary package circa $120,000 - $130,000 plus 12% superannuation and a fully maintained vehicle that includes private use within the NT.

To make your move to this scenic region as smooth as possible, you will be provided with accommodation where you will be liable for ongoing utility costs only.

Working Monday-Friday, you will be covered for reasonable telephone and internet as you benefit from generous leave allowances!

Ideally suited to a mature person looking to escape the grind of city life, this is a great place to save money and forget about busy traffic and other nuisances associated with life in a capital city.

If you're an adventurous person eager to experience something new in an amazing location - Apply Now!

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