- Senior Officer (Executive) Salary
- Full Time Senior Officer Role - 5 Year Fixed Term
- We are a diverse & inclusive council based in St Kilda with a positive culture and flexible working arrangements possible
Who is the City of Port Phillip?
We are a vibrant and diverse inner-city council stretching 20kms from South to Port Melbourne along the stunning bay beaches down to Elwood and out to St Kilda East with around 1000 people who all work together to deliver more than 100 programs and services to our engaged community of residents, businesses and visitors. What does that mean? Think, childcare, libraries, parks, recreation, waste rubbish collection, road maintenance, family and youth services, property & assets, city planning & development, customer experience, digital technology, governance, people, culture and safety, and of course South Melbourne Market! City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed Child Safe organisation.
Are you passionate and driven and looking to make a difference for our community?
We’re seeking a committed professional to lead and support the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of community-focused projects and strategic initiatives that enhance inclusion, strengthen community connections, and improve the lives of Port Phillip residents.
Reporting to the General Manager Community Wellbeing & Inclusion, this role will play a key role in policy and strategy development as well as community infrastructure planning to ensure services, facilities and spaces meet the diverse needs of the Port Phillip community now and into the future. The role also works in close collaboration with the People, Culture & Safety Department to embed inclusive, safe and culturally responsive practices across the organisation.
This role is ideal for an experienced and strategic leader who brings:
- Experience leading teams in social planning, policy, strategy, and service delivery, with a focus on positive community results.
- Strong problem-solving skills for creating and managing new policies and services in complex and political environments.
- Proven success in delivering projects that meet goals and improve public value.
- Great communication skills, able to explain complex ideas clearly to a variety of audiences, especially in political settings.
- Experienced in engaging with communities on sensitive issues, ensuring everyone can participate respectfully.
- Skilled at building strong teams, driving cultural change, and supporting organisational growth.
- Committed to public service and its core values.
What you might do
- Make sure community services related to wellbeing and inclusion are high-quality, efficient, and meet all requirements. This includes areas like community infrastructure planning, community grants, diversity, housing, safety, and reconciliation.
- Use data and research to create strategies, policies, and services that build stronger community infrastructure.
- Manage relationships with key partners, including community groups, health and housing providers, support agencies, government bodies, and advisory groups.
- Lead and track the progress of Council strategies on diversity, inclusion, affordable housing, homelessness, and community safety, working with other Council departments.
- Deliver projects that improve community safety, reduce homelessness, and promote social unity, in line with Council and community goals.
- Provide expert advice and lead the development of plans and submissions focused on community wellbeing and inclusion, ensuring they reflect best practices.
- Oversee community grants and service agreements to make sure they deliver value and meet compliance standards.
- Lead staff planning and development, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
- Find and implement ways to improve services and make them more efficient using tools like program logics and theories of change.
- Act as Municipal Recovery Manager, leading emergency recovery efforts with both internal and external partners.
- Promote a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation.
We are looking for someone with:
- Proven experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams of similar functions and scale
- Advanced analytical and lateral thinking skills
- Demonstrated ability to drive public value
- Exceptional communication skills
- Extensive experience in community engagement, particularly on complex issues where there are diverse perspectives
- A tertiary degree in a relevant field. Post-graduate qualifications are highly regarded, particularly advanced expertise in policy, strategy, or service delivery in the community or public sectors.
Our work environment
We love what we do and are all proud to work at the City of Port Phillip. Yes, we are local council, and we are one with vibrancy, passion and ambition who are a welcoming, health conscious, diverse and inclusive. Our Main location at the iconic St Kilda Town Hall offers a heritage and modern open plan hub to work from where people can collaborate and develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community.
Proudly as one we all work together, and grow together, thinking creatively and strategically with courage, integrity, and accountability to put our community first.
What’s in it for you
- We offer a hybrid working model with our core setup being 60% in the office depending on team requirements and welcome further conversation to meet your working style and needs
- Be supported and empowered to be your best by a passionate leadership team that encourages collaboration and innovation
- Discounted fitness membership with access to over 260+ gyms, pools, group classes and facilities across Melbourne for you and your family!
- Our work hubs are located close to our very own Child Care centres making accessing childcare a breeze!
- Career development opportunities within your team and/or across council plus a great study assistance allowance of up to $4000 per year per person and 6 hours per week study leave (on approved courses only)
- Flexible working conditions, an active social club, supportive health and wellbeing program, and a well- regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Our very own Pride Network, that helps create an environment where each and every person can feel safe, welcomed, seen, and supported to bring their whole selves to work
- 20 weeks paid parental leave and our pioneering 24 weeks paid leave for single parents
- Access to novated leasing and salary sacrificed technology
Important Pre-Employment Requirements
Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:
- Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences
- Sufficient proof of right to work in Australia, and Sufficient proof of identity
- Complete a National Police Check completed via City of Port Phillip’s Provider
- Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation).
So, what’s next?
Hit that APPLY button now!
Whether you think you meet all the requirements or not, we strongly encourage you to apply, as we take a holistic approach to considering your skills, life experience, and alignment to our key selection criteria. You’ve got this!
Please submit;
- Resume – latest and detailed version
- Cover letter no longer than 2 pages that captures your response to the Key Selection Criteria (KSC) found on the Positions Description (PD).
Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered.
For further information please contact Carina Calleya, EA Governance, Capability & Experience via email on carina.calleya@portphillip.vic.gov.au.
Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 15 June 2025.
The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nation and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability.
If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact David Crichton (Head of Recruitment, Workforce Systems and Experience) on phone 0421 757 521 or email: recruitment@portphillip.vic.gov.au
