About the role

Leading a high-performing team, you will oversee the Council business program, champion a robust governance framework, and provide expert advice grounded in the Local Government Act 2020 and broader legislative landscape, while enabling strong governance oversight across the organisation through the effective operation of the Audit and Risk Committee and reporting to support informed decision-making.

The role also provides leadership in Councillor governance and integrity, including support to Councillor conduct management and supporting Councillors to meet their legislative and ethical obligations.

Your influence will be felt across the organisation as you support accountable, ethical, and transparent operations that align with the City’s values and long-term vision.

This is an opportunity to bring your governance expertise to a role that truly matters - where your leadership will help build trust, enable good decisions, and support a thriving community.

Work type: Fixed term contract (12 months)

Classification: SPL, $148,599+ super.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead a customer-first, best-practice approach across the department, proactively addressing challenges to deliver high-quality services to the community.
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with internal stakeholders and industry peers to foster collaboration and shared outcomes.
• Navigate and balance competing stakeholder needs, ensuring departmental priorities are achieved while consistently meeting customer expectations.
• Provide strategic oversight and coordination of the Council Business Program and the Audit and Risk Committee, ensuring effective operation, high-quality reporting, and alignment with governance, risk and assurance priorities.
• Provide support to the framework for Councillor conduct and integrity, including managing complex conduct matters.
• Provide expert, trusted governance and legislative advice to Councillors, the Executive Leadership Team, and senior officers.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Councillors, delivering clear, timely and practical advice.
• Support Councillors and employees with their obligations under the Local Government Act 2020, including conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, and personal interest returns.
• Drive the implementation and continuous improvement of governance frameworks, including policies, delegations, statutory registers, and compliance mechanisms.
• Lead statutory governance and reporting obligations, including Annual Report inputs and legislative compliance.
• Support key governance bodies and processes, including the CEO Employment and Remuneration Committee and Council election readiness.[JD2] 

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have a tertiary qualification in governance, business administration, law or a related discipline and/or significant professional experience in governance in a comparable organisation.

Essential Experience:

• Extensive management experience in a governance-related field in the public or private sectors
• Demonstrated people management skills to support, influence and foster a productive team culture.  
• Accomplished negotiation, writing, presentation and public speaking skills to influence stakeholders and achieve support for department outcomes.
• Well-developed problem solving and stakeholder management skills with the ability to build cooperation and partnerships.
• Proven track of leading teams through change ensuring strong stakeholder engagement throughout the process. 
• Demonstrated skills in business planning and management, budget development, financial and resource management, and complex reporting in accordance with strategic goals and KPIs.
• Demonstrated project management experience with the ability to lead small to medium sized projects to quality outputs, within tight deadlines and budget. 
• Ability to interpret and apply, or experience in interpreting and applying, the Local Government Act and other relevant legislation
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to successfully negotiate, influence and resolve complex issues
• Ability to determine high-level program delivery across multiple functional work areas, resolve service delivery issues, and set operational work allocation.
• High proficiency to identify and mitigate risks.
• Demonstrated experience in business planning and management, including budget development, financial management, resource management, and complex reporting

Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check and Working with Children’s Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now!

Child Safety Responsibilities 

We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.  

Diversity and Inclusion 

At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.

We are the City

From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries

Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Applications close: 11:55pm Wednesday 13th May 2026

Enquiries: Claire Norton | Acting Chief Governance and Risk Officer

Claire.Norton@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au  noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience. We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.

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