About the role
As the Manager City Works, you will lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of maintenance and construction activities across Council’s roads, reserves, drainage infrastructure, and supporting services. This pivotal role ensures high-quality, safe, and timely service delivery that meets community needs and aligns with regulatory and Council requirements. You will be responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of human, financial, and physical resources, including both internal teams and external contractors. With a focus on strong leadership, operational excellence, and strategic oversight, you will drive outcomes that reflect Council’s service commitments and broader organisational goals.

Work type: 5-year contract, Full Time Opportunity
Classification: SPL - $187,437 pa plus super

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing visionary leadership for the City Works department by setting strategic goals, communicating a compelling direction, and ensuring alignment with the broader organisational strategy.
• Developing departmental capability, systems, and processes to meet current and future service demands, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Leading and developing a high-performing leadership team, coaching and holding them accountable for team performance, cultural alignment, and customer-focused service delivery.
• Overseeing the effective management and delivery of infrastructure maintenance and construction programs, including roads, drainage, footpaths, and reserves, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.
• Managing Council’s fleet services, including procurement, maintenance, insurance, workshop operations, PPE and uniform supplies, and implementation of telematics systems to enhance performance.
• Ensuring effective delivery of operational services such as graffiti removal, line marking, street lighting and footpath maintenance, and illegal rubbish collection to maintain public safety and amenity.
• Building and maintaining strong internal and external partnerships, advocating for the department, and providing expert advice to the CEO, Councillors, Executive Leadership Team, and the community.
• Developing and managing departmental budgets, business plans and reporting systems to track performance, ensure financial accountability, and achieve strategic outcomes.
• Leading emergency response coordination and supporting the Municipal Emergency Management Officer (MEMO) to ensure readiness and effective incident management.
• Championing a proactive risk and safety culture, ensuring compliance with all governance requirements, regulations, and Council’s values and policies.

About you
To be successful in the role, you will bring a tertiary qualification in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction, Engineering Management or a related field, along with extensive senior leadership experience in delivering large infrastructure programs and major projects. Ideally, you will have a strong background in leading multidisciplinary teams within a Local Government or Public Sector environment.

Essential Experience:

• Extensive knowledge of civil infrastructure maintenance and construction, with the ability to apply technical expertise in planning and delivery.
• Strong understanding of relevant industrial awards, OH&S requirements, environmental legislation, and EPA regulations.
• Proven experience in leading, influencing, and motivating multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative and positive workplace culture.
• Strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead change and drive business improvements in complex environments.
• Well-developed communication, negotiation, and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong capability in strategic planning, financial and resource management, and reporting against organisational objectives and KPIs.
• Advanced project and organisational management skills, with experience delivering multiple large-scale projects on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
• Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check and a pre-employment medical assessment 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 Thursday 10th July 2025

Position Description (Word Version)

Position Description (PDF Version)

Enquiries: Sonia Cheema | Coordinator, Talent Acquisition | [email protected]

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 [email protected] noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

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