Head of Sustainability and Climate Change

• Senior Executive Officer Remuneration Package + 11.5% super 
• Full time, Fixed term role until 30 September 2025 (backfill for employee on secondment)
• We are a diverse & inclusive council based in St Kilda, with a positive culture and flexible working arrangements possible. 

About 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. 

What’s the role all about 

Are you a passionate and driven sustainability and climate change leader looking to contribute to the successful delivery of a large variety of exciting projects that will benefit our community? 

Lead Council’s sustainability functions and actively contribute to environmental leadership across the organisation.

Embed a culture of professional practice and collaboration within the Sustainability and Climate Change team across the five practice areas of Integrated water management, Climate adaptation and resilience, Emissions reduction, Sustainable design and planning, and Partnerships.

We have a passionate and driven team who all work together to deliver outcomes that positively benefit our community.  

This is a fixed term opportunity until 30 September 2025

What you might do 

• Lead the development, delivery and review of sustainability and climate change services, projects, strategies and initiatives.
• Provide sustainability and climate change leadership to the organisation.
• Work with Council, and other leaders to identify, agree to and lead delivery of Council’s sustainability and climate change projects, programs and services.
• Drive innovative and strategic responses to climate change in Council’s own operations and partnerships with our community.
• Drive the delivery of a team culture focused on value for rate payers and customer service.

Who we are looking for 

• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, persuasion, and written skills, with the ability to use discretion and judgment, to communicate complex ideas simply in a busy, complex, and political environment.
• Significant experience in leading change management in a government, or similar, organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, manage and maintain business plans and associated budgetary and financial management requirements.
• Excellent conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills and demonstrated capacity to develop and implement innovative solutions for projects and programs, in an environment characterised by close public scrutiny, political sensitivity and resources.
• Sound understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural issues relating to service delivery in the local government sector.
• Experience in managing and leading a team to deliver sustainability and climate change or related outcomes in a mid-sized to large organisation.

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 50-60% 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
• 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

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations   

Pre-employment screening will apply to all appointments.  

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

• Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences,
• Sufficient proof of their right to work in Australia, and
• Sufficient proof of their 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 encourage you to apply, as we take a holistic approach to considering your skills, life experience, and alignment to our key selection criteria. 

Please submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter no longer than two 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 Craig McLean, Manager City Planning and Sustainability via email at craig.mclean@portphillip.vic.gov.au 

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 10 November 2024

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 Shane Turner (Recruitment Advisor) on phone 0421 757 521 or email: recruitment@portphillip.vic.gov.au 

South Melbourne > Port Melbourne > Albert Park > Middle Park > St Kilda > Balaclava > Ripponlea > Elwood