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.

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.

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

A career with us
We’d love for you to continue your career with the City and set the benchmark for a sustainable, inclusive and culturally safe workplace.  With a range of benefits, flexible working options, learning and development opportunities, support services and the opportunity to give back to the community, the City has so much to offer!

Click https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/employment/article/item/8d1155a0d84344d.aspx to view all the benefits to you working at the City.

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.

Enquiries: Sonia Cheema | Coordinator, Talent Acquisition | Sonia.Cheema@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.

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