Candidate Information Pack - Chief Executive Officer Mildura Rural City Council - Chief Executive Officer Mildura ...

Candidate Information Pack
Chief Executive Officer

Mildura Rural City Council

Position Description                            • Ensuring that staff and the community
                                                  remain informed about policy and
                                                  decision-making processes of the
The CEO has accountability and authority          Council.
for the overall Management of Council's
financial, physical and human resources         • Managing the available human, financial
and for ensuring the delivery of effective,       and physical resources to achieve
equitable and efficient Council Services to       Council objectives, including the
the community. Subject to Council                 provision of successful customer
delegation of power, and may delegate             service.
power to Senior Staff and other officers.
The CEO's judgement and decision-making         Organisational Relationships
skills must be of the highest order including
the ability to be able to problem solve and     Reports to: Mayor and Councillors
develop policy at an organisational level.
The role requires identification and analysis   Supervises:
of wide ranging issues and developing           • General Manager Corporate Services
solutions from an unspecified range of
options.                                        • General Manager Development
The Officer will be responsible for:            • General Manager Community
• Performing the functions of the Chief         • Executive Support Officer
  Executive Officer pursuant to Sections
  94(a) of the Local Government Act 1989.       • Executive Support Assistance.

• Ensuring that the goals and objectives of     Internal Relationships:
  the Council as set out in the Corporate       All Council staff directly or indirectly report
  Plan, Business plans, budgets, capital        to the CEO.
  works programs, asset management
  plans, and other relevant documents are       External Relationships:
  realised.
                                                • Mildura Regional Development
• Providing Council with strategic advice
  and support to the Mayor and                  • Mildura City Hear
  Councillors to assist them in their role.
                                                • Mildura Airport
• Achieving a high level of customer
                                                • This role by its nature has a wide variety
  satisfaction with the operations of the
                                                  of external contacts.
  Council and ensure its ongoing strategic
  planning, review and evaluation.

Key Responsibility Areas & Duties

Council
•    Provide Council with Strategic advice, based on sound assessment of opportunities
     and threats, strengths and weaknesses.
•    Ensure that Council agendas, relevant briefing papers and Council meetings are
     coordinated and efficiently prepared.
•    Ensure that decisions of Council are executed promptly and effectively.
•    Provide support to Mayor and Councillors to assist them to function as effective
     community representatives and as representatives of Council on other bodies and
     in other places.
Communication
•    Gain an understanding of the needs and aspirations of the communities within the
     Mildura Rural City Council area.
•    Lead the Council's communication and marketing processes to the community, the
     media and to other levels of Government.
•    Promote the best image of the Council and its activities. Ensure that all information
     is accurate, timely and positive.
•    Ensure that Council activities and initiatives receive good media coverage.
•    Communicate effectively with staff.
•    Maintain effective and cooperative communications with community organisations,
     businesses, neighbouring Councils and other Government authorities and
     departments.
•    Represent Council at appropriate community functions and social engagements.
•    Ensure that the community is given the opportunity to have constructive input into
     Council policy and decision-making processes.
Financial and Legal
•   Manage the preparation of Council's Corporate Plan, Annual Report and Budget.
•   Ensure that Council's services, capital works and programs are delivered in
    accordance with the intent of Council, on time, and within budget.
•   Ensure that sound administrative and financial systems, procedures and controls are
    in place and functioning in all areas of Council activity in accordance with best
    business practice, and to satisfy statutory obligations.
•   Monitor and report on Council services and business undertakings and on outside
    events that could influence Council's financial planning, and keep Council informed
    of major opportunities and risks.
•   Ensure that all Council activities and functions are carried out in accordance with
    statutory obligations and having proper regard for legal precedents thereby
    minimising Council's exposure to risk and litigation.
•   Ensure that financial statements are prepared and audited in accordance with
    relevant accounting standards and statutory requirements.
•   Perform the statutory functions of Chief Executive Officer as required by the Local
    Government Act 1989 and other legislation.

Key Responsibility Areas & Duties
Human Resources Management
•   Encourage and provide opportunities for members of staff to develop their skills,
    knowledge and attitudes.
•   Motivate staff to work to their full potential, ensuring that staff has a clear understanding
    of the mission of the organisation.
•   Lead staff through periods of organisational change.
•   Ensure that all staff provide a high level of customer service in their dealings with
    individuals and organisations that do business with Council.
•   Establish systematic performance indicators that demonstrate that successful customer
    service outcomes have been and are being achieved.
•   Develop a consultative, multi-skilled team approach in each major area of activity,
    installing and maintaining a system of delegations that push decision-making
    downwards towards the work force.
•   Ensure that equal opportunity and occupational health and safety practices are
    followed in all activities of Council.
•   Oversee the development and effective implementation of enterprise agreements and
    employee relations policies, with the objective of achieving best practice productivity.
•   Regularly review the organisation shape and work force, having regard to the objectives
    and budget indications given by the Council, and as appropriate, make changes to the
    organisation shape and work force in order to achieve effectiveness with efficiency.
•   Perform the statutory functions set out in Section 97 of the Local Government Act 1989 in
    relation to appointment, review, direction and dismissal of Council staff.
Economic Development
•   Undertake the development of commercial and business opportunities as identified by
    Council.
•   Participate in providing business management and decision-making advice to Council in
    its pursuit of economic opportunities for the community.
•   Take a leading role in the implementation and management of any project of economic
    significance as identified by Council.
•   Participate in any high-level negotiation and liaison pertaining to an economic
    development opportunity as required by Council.
General
•   Keep abreast of advances in technology and, in consultation with staff, introduce
    technology that can improve customer service, productivity and efficiency.
•   Maintain a network of contacts throughout Local Government and other levels of
    Government, to keep up to date with developments affecting the Mildura Rural City
    Council in particular and Local Government generally.
•    Maintain a close relationship with, and active participation in, relevant professional and
    industry associations.
•   Undertake appropriate professional development activities that will ensure that Council
    can benefit from the latest developments in any of its activities.

Key Accountability Areas

Relationships with Council. The CEO must effectively contribute to the activities,
relationships and support of the elected representatives of Council.
Organisational Management & Governance. The CEO must lead and manage the
Council organisation in a way that demonstrates effective overall management of
the Council, including strategic and operational management capabilities, and
exercise of effective governance processes.
Strategic Planning. The CEO must ensure that the Council with advice and
resources provides strategic planning for the municipality. Further the CEO must
ensure that the Council’s land use strategic planning and statutory planning
functions are professionally and competently delivered.
Community Satisfaction and External Relations. The CEO must deliver cost
effective, quality services which reflect the needs and priorities of the community
as determined by the Council, and must maintain positive external relationships
with government, industry, professional and community groups.
Human Resources Management. The CEO must ensure that the Council has the
required people, with the necessary competencies and commitment needed to
deliver the services, projects and programs required by the Council and
community. Further the CEO must promote a safe, diverse and inclusive
organisational culture.
Financial & Asset Management. The CEO must effectively manage the Council
financial and physical resources.
Delivery of Major Council Projects & Programs. The CEO must deliver the key
strategic activities and Capital Works projects identified by Council as warranting
the highest priority.

Skills and Knowledge

The CEO needs a wide range of high level skills and knowledge to implement Council's
direction through the organisation to the community. This includes but is not limited to:
•   Capacity to provide a customer/citizen focus in the planning and provision of
    municipal services.
•   Sound understanding of the economic, political and social issues relating to the
    provision of municipal services and overall management within a Local Government
    environment.
•   Demonstrated ability to contribute to, and lead, the strategic direction of Council.
•   Commitment to on-going reform in Local Government.
•   Proven ability to implement competitive business practices.
•   Extensive knowledge of commercial and business principles and a commitment to
    quality service and best practice.
•   High level financial management, financial reporting, financial planning and program
    budgeting skills.
•   Experience in the effective application of information technology in the workplace to
    promote improved service delivery.
•   Ability to delegate to and direct the Corporate Management Team in the proper
    management of its roles and functions.

Skills and Knowledge (cont.)

Management Skills:
The position requires management skills of the highest order including:
•   Extensive demonstrable leadership and motivational abilities in a diverse and
    changing environment.
•   Capacity to manage a high level of change in a complex organisation and within
    resource constraints.
•   Ability to lead significant workplace reform.
•   Demonstrable ability to develop and implement organisation wide policies and
    procedures, and evidence of a long-term strategic approach.
•   Ability to develop and work to appropriate performance indicators.
•   Demonstrated high level negotiation, liaison and networking skills across all areas of
    the Council's operations.

Interpersonal Skills:
This position requires extremely high-level interpersonal skills to communicate at all
levels including:
•   Ability to promote, and obtain commitment to, the Council vision, direction and goals
    to staff, the community and other levels of Government through a range of personal
    and media strategies.
•   Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, and a capacity to
    effectively communicate with all stakeholders.
•   Well developed negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
•   Ability to lead, develop and motivate employees.

Qualifications and Experience

•   Tertiary level qualifications in an appropriate discipline are essential, and a demonstrable
    program of ongoing professional and personal development will be highly regarded.
•   The Chief Executive Officer must have a combination of skills, qualifications, experience
    and personal attributes to enable them to provide the leadership, motivation and support
    to ensure the continuing development of the Mildura Rural City Council and its
    community,

Essential core competencies required:
•   Tertiary level qualifications in an appropriate discipline are essential, and a demonstrable
    program of ongoing professional and personal development will be highly regarded.
•   Corporate leadership ability including significant relevant experience in strategic thinking
    and planning capacity.
•   Proven flexibility and adaptability to change and proven ability to develop effective
    workplace teams.
•   Exceptional skills in all forms of communication, negotiation and decision-making and
    complex problem solving.
•   Highly developed financial management skills.
•   Proven skills in organisational development including best practice in programs and
    services, understanding and experience with competitive tendering guidelines, decision
    making and delegation.
•   Highly developed people skills and experience in the development and motivation of
    staff.
•   Proven history of implementing corporate planning, quality assurance and competitive
    tendering.
•   Proven track record in external relationships with key groups and sectors such as
    Government, Local Government, industry, private and public sectors, business,
    community sectors, service groups, media and public relations.
•   Evidence of high ethical, personal standards and demonstrated professional skills.

Key Selection Criteria
Mildura Rural City Council has identified the following critical success factors for the
performance of its new Chief Executive Officer. These are the skills, competencies and
outcomes the Council seeks in its Chief Executive Officer. These are the things the
Council wants the Chief Executive Officer to be “very good at”!

There are five (5) broad KPI’s that will be the Rural City’s key selection criteria. They
are:

•   Leadership
•   Business Management
•   Relationship Management
•   Strategic Leadership
•   Good Governance.

Leadership

Mildura Rural City Council employs about six hundred people. The Rural City’s ability
to recruit, train, develop, retain and promote high calibre employees is critical to its
long-term success.

The Chief Executive Officer will:

•   Model the behaviors that will bring organisational success.
•   Empower and motivate employees, make employees feel valued and needed and
    be entirely comfortable adopting an empowering and delegating model of
    leadership.
•   Be a highly visible leader who generates enthusiasm in the workplace and who
    strongly connects with employees around shared work values and goals.
•   Develop employees so that they can contribute to Mildura Rural City’s success to
    their maximum potential and can be the best they can be.
•   Ensure high levels of accountability throughout the organization.
•   Align the skills and the structure of the organisation with the tasks or mission to be
    achieved.

Key Selection Criteria (cont.)
Business Management

Mildura Rural City Council delivers a wide range of quality services. It must strive for
high levels of efficiency and effectiveness.

The Chief Executive Officer will:

•   Deliver the outcomes established in the Council Plan in accordance with each
    year’s priorities.
•   Demonstrate high levels of financial acumen, deliver the Annual Budget and
    ensure budget variations are explained and managed to achieve sound “bottom
    line” results.
•   Ensure the ongoing implementation of a robust, long term financial strategy that
    will accommodate Rate Capping and secure the Rural City’s long term financial
    sustainability.
•   Ensure that services and programs are consistently delivered to previously agreed
    standards and expectations and ensure the organisation reviews the business
    systems and processes which deliver such services, creating a very strong
    organisational focus on the importance of efficient local services.
•   Create high levels of Financial Literacy across the organization.
•   Manage the significant risks that confront the Rural City.
•   Understand and support effective Asset Management at Mildura Rural City.

Relationship Management

Good working relationships between people are fundamental to achieving progress at
Mildura Rural City Council.

The Chief Executive Officer will:

•   Build respectful relationships with Councillors characterized by relevant and timely
    communications, accessibility, fairness and impartiality.
•   Establish and nurture strong relationships with Community stakeholders, local
    organisations and volunteers.
•   Be a strong and effective communicator.
•   Build a strong identity and be highly visible in the various Mildura Rural City
    communities and demonstrate strong community mindedness
•   Develop strategic alliances at a regional, State and sometimes Federal
    Government level which are characterized by particularly strong advocacy, sound
    working relationships, mutual respect and effective outcomes for the Rural City,
    irrespective of the politics of those in positions of power.
•   Demonstrate very high levels of Emotional Intelligence, by being very
    approachable and at ease and effective in a variety of business and social settings
    in the Rural City.

Key Selection Criteria (cont.)
Strategic Leadership
Good strategy is about doing the right thing at the right time. It is about priorities.

Leadership is the process of creating unity around a purpose, a direction, shared values and
ideals.

As a strategic leader the Chief Executive Officer will:

•   Build a cohesive executive team which is strongly aligned to Council’s goals.
•   Provide the Council with quality, timely, frank advice on those key issues and projects
    which have the potential to significantly impact on the Rural City’s future.
•   Anticipate issues, events and trends before they impact on Council and develop
    appropriate strategic responses.
•   Understand global issues and foster appropriate local responses.
•   Demonstrate high level problem solving skills, negotiation skills and conflict resolutions
    skills.
•   Be prepared to innovate and demonstrate creativity in the pursuit of results.
•   Build a deep understanding of the unique social and economic circumstances of the
    many communities that comprise the Rural City.
•   Lead the development of economic growth strategies and programs which not only build
    on the Rural City’s traditional economic strengths in tourism and agriculture but seek to
    further diversify the local economy.
•   Ensure that the organisation adopts facilitative approaches to its regulatory functions so
    that it encourages and fosters economic development opportunities.

Good Governance

Mildura Rural City Council’s reputation as a high quality democratic Local Government will
ultimately depend on the quality of its governance processes.

The Chief Executive Officer will:

•   Ensure the organisation understands the complex role Councillors play as democratically
    elected representatives and develops processes and protocols which support Councillors
•   Ensure that ethical behaviors are at the forefront of considerations by Councillors and staff
    and provide a personal example of an ethical leader.
•   Ensure the Rural City Council’s community engagement function is of high quality by
    embedding effective community engagement skills and practices as part of the
    organisational culture at Mildura Rural City Council.
•   Provide Council with high quality information, underpinned by evidence, analysis and
    options so that Council can make informed, timely decisions.
•   Provide appropriate pathways for Councillors to progress the issues they bring to their
    roles.
•   Protect, promote and enhance the wider reputation of the Council.
•   Be highly effective in dealing with media.
•   Provide support and advice for the Mayor and form a strong partnership with the Mayor of
    the day.

Click   to edit
Expression  of
Master
interest title
instructions
style
To submit an expression of interest -
please go to
www.fisherleadership.com and click
on 'APPLY ONLINE' using reference
MRCceo1221.

Your submission should include:

A cover letter broadly addressing key
selection criteria and resume.

Please ensure that you receive an email
acknowledgement confirming receipt
of your application.

The closing date for expression of
interest is Saturday 12 February 2022.

For a confidential discussion call
David Baber of Fisher Leadership on
1300 347 437.

For more information about
  Yarra City, visit:
  www.mildura.vic.gov.au

  Fisher Leadership
  Level 9, 412 St Kilda Road
  Melbourne 3004
  e: info@fisherleadership.com
  T: 1300 347 437

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