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Posted 04 June, 2026
Barunga West Council / McArthur

Manager Governance, Community and Development

Barunga West Council / McArthur
South Australia, Australia Full Time

  • Lead governance, people, community development, and planning services
  • Senior leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer
  • Opportunity to make a genuine impact across the organisation and community

About Barunga West Council…

Barunga West Council is a vibrant, thriving, safe and welcoming coastal and agricultural community with an unspoilt natural environment and relaxed country lifestyle. Council is committed to delivering responsive, professional and accessible services that support the needs of their community.

Council prides itself on maintaining high standards of governance, safety and service delivery while providing a supportive and inclusive workplace for its employees.

About the role…

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Manager Governance, Community and Development is responsible for leading a broad and diverse portfolio across governance, human resources, community development, planning and development administration, tourism, corporate administration, risk, WHS and compliance.

As a member of the senior leadership team, this role provides strategic advice to the CEO and Elected Members while leading a range of services that directly influence organisational performance, community outcomes and Council's future direction.

This is an ideal opportunity for a capable and adaptable leader who enjoys variety, building relationships and contributing across both strategic and operational areas of Council.

What you will do…

  • Governance leadership - Lead Council's governance framework, statutory compliance obligations, policies, delegations and governance improvement initiatives.
  • Strategic advice - Provide trusted advice and support to the CEO, leadership team and Elected Members on governance, compliance and organisational matters.
  • People and culture - Lead workforce planning, recruitment, employee relations, organisational development and culture initiatives.
  • Community development - Support community engagement activities, community programs, stakeholder relationships and initiatives that strengthen local participation and wellbeing.
  • Planning and development oversight - Oversee planning, development and building administration services, ensuring timely, compliant and customer focused outcomes.
  • Tourism, arts and events - Provide leadership across tourism promotion, visitor services, arts, culture, heritage and community events.
  • Risk, WHS and compliance - Lead Council's risk management, WHS and compliance frameworks while promoting continuous improvement and accountability.
  • Leadership and organisational performance - Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team while contributing to the achievement of Council's strategic objectives.

What they are looking for…

  • Leadership experience - Demonstrated experience leading diverse teams and functions within local government, government or similarly complex organisations.
  • Governance and compliance knowledge - Strong understanding of governance frameworks, legislation, compliance obligations and decision making processes.
  • Relationship management - Ability to build productive relationships with Elected Members, staff, community groups, government agencies and external stakeholders.
  • People leadership - Experience supporting workforce development, performance management, organisational culture and employee engagement.
  • Communication and judgement - Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to manage sensitive, complex and politically aware matters.
  • Community focus - Genuine commitment to community outcomes and delivering responsive and practical services.
  • Adaptability and initiative - Able to balance strategic thinking with a hands on approach while managing competing priorities across a broad portfolio.
  • Qualifications - Relevant tertiary qualifications in business, management, governance, human resources or a related discipline, or equivalent experience and capability.

Why Barunga West Council?

  • Diverse portfolio - Lead a unique mix of governance, people, community and development functions in a highly varied leadership role.
  • Meaningful influence - Work closely with the CEO and Elected Members and contribute to key organisational and community outcomes.
  • Community impact - Play an important role in shaping services, initiatives and projects that make a genuine difference.
  • Regional lifestyle - Enjoy the benefits of living and working in Port Broughton while remaining connected to Adelaide.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a well-rounded leader seeking a challenging and rewarding role with broad responsibility, variety and impact.

More information…

To obtain a copy of the Candidate Information Pack and to apply, please visit mcarthur.com.au and quote reference number J9504.

Confidential enquiries can be directed to Rebecca Hunt on (08) 8100 7000.

We are actively shortlisting candidates and encourage early applications.

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