Manager City Services, Merri-bek City Council

Provide strategic leadership to a large, multidisciplinary portfolio of functions made up of Waste, City Works, City Amenity and Fleet

• Lead a team where culture is safety-first, inclusive & high-performing
• Manage fleet acquisition and maintenance services for more than 600 items
• Join one of Melbourne's most diverse and iconic municipalities

Lead the essential services that a community feels every day

Bins collected, roads maintained, footpaths renewed, streets and shopping strips cleaned, and a fleet of more than 600 vehicles and machines ready to go. In Merri-bek, one of Melbourne's most densely populated and diverse municipalities, these services shape residents' daily wellbeing and the look and feel of every neighbourhood. Council is looking for a senior leader to run them well and move them towards zero waste to landfill and climate resilience.

The role

Reporting to the Director City Infrastructure, the Manager City Services will provide strategic leadership to a large, multidisciplinary portfolio of functions made up of Waste, City Works, City Amenity and Fleet, delivered by in-house crews and contractors. You'll manage an operating budget of about $18m and a capital program of about $7m each year. Within the role you will:

• Lead and develop a team of people managers, and build a culture that is safety-first, inclusive and high-performing in an industrial setting
• Run household waste services, including the contracts for collection, processing and disposal, and drive progress towards zero waste to landfill and lower contamination
• Prepare the waste service charge, and advise Council on long-term waste minimisation and procurement in line with its Waste Charge and Services Policy
• Manage fleet acquisition and maintenance services for more than 600 items of plant and equipment, from waste trucks and specialist heavy vehicles to passenger cars
• Deliver road maintenance under the Road Management Plan, and deliver road resurfacing, footpath and drainage renewal programs on time and on budget
• Act as Municipal Emergency Resource Officer (MERO) and chair the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee
• Work with the Manager Open Space and Environment to run the Walter Street Operations Depot safely and effectively

About you

You're a hands-on operational leader who brings people with you through change, and you care about the customer at the end of every service. You will bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or substantial equivalent senior leadership experience in public works, engineering, asset management, project or contract management, logistics, industrial operations or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience building constructive, inclusive, psychosocially safe and high-performing teams, inspiring and fostering a positive, collaborative and high performing culture including leading through change, developing people leaders, addressing poor behaviour and creating an environment where staff feel safe to raise concerns and contribute ideas.
• Proven ability to translate Council priorities, community expectations and strategic objectives into practical branch strategies, governance arrangements, service plans and operational outcomes.
• Extensive experience designing, delivering and improving customer-focused municipal, infrastructure or operational services through direct labour, contractors and partnerships, with a strong focus on community outcomes, service standards, risk management, climate resilience and continuous improvement.
• Strong financial acumen and demonstrated application of sound asset management principles, including management of significant operational and capital budgets, procurement, contracts, lifecycle planning, asset condition, risk-based prioritisation, renewal planning and value-for-money investment decisions.
• Highly developed strategic, analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct, equity and inclusion, occupational health and safety, environmental sustainability, emergency management, transparency and accountability.
• Understanding and thought leadership of contemporary challenges and opportunities facing local government, particularly addressing the climate emergency and protecting the natural environment.

Why Merri-bek?

This role shapes the services that more than 195,000 people rely on every day. You'll join a Council committed to zero waste and climate resilience that supports flexible work, diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

For a confidential discussion and a copy of the position description, copy and paste https://tinyurl.com/Merri-bek-City-Services into your browser or contact Charlie Cole at Camden Search on Sign in to view email. To apply, submit your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria by 5pm on Thursday 12th November. Direct or third-party applications will be forwarded to Camden Search.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, gender and sexuality identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Our Commitment

Merri-bek City Council has adopted a Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and have zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.