Director Community Services

• Full-time, fixed term contract (between a 3 and 5 year term)
• Attractive salary package
• Based in Alice Springs
• Senior leadership position

MacDonnell Regional Council

MRC was established in 2008 and its area covers our 13 major remote communities as well as many outstations. MRC employs over 500 staff, 370 of whom are the local Aboriginal staff.
MRC's vision is "many voices, one dream, building a quality desert lifestyle" and our mission is "to improve the lives of Council residents by delivering valued and relevant services".

The role

The Director Community Services is responsible for providing overall leadership and direction to the Community Services teams to ensure the delivery of high quality services are provided to Council's 13 remote communities. The Community Services directorate incorporates the departments of Youth Services, Home Care, Children's Services, and, Community Safety & Libraries.

Key duties

The Director Community Services will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to the directorates functions of:

• Community Services leadership
• Staff management and leadership
• Executive and governance
• Relationship management resource management
• Risk management

Skills and experience:

• Demonstrated, significant effective strategic and corporate leadership and management experience. Previous experience in a senior management role delivering complex services in a multi-site environment.
• Strong analytical skills to identify the needs of all stakeholders, finding solutions that lead to improved delivery of services and operations.
• Successful experience in aligning workforce performance with organisational performance.
• Proven experience in developing a positive workplace environment and a performance and outcome culture.
• Demonstrated experience in achieving positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Successful experience in applying innovative solutions, problem solving and managing staff motivation within a dynamic and multi-functional organisation.
• Demonstrated experience in working effectively with Indigenous Australians, with extensive knowledge and experience in the delivery of Community Services programmes in remote locations.
• Strong business skills, particularly financial and grant management.
• Relevant tertiary education and several years' relevant work experience.
• High level communication and interpersonal skills.
• Job planning and reporting skills.
• Hold a current Driver's License.
• Sound computer skills including experience using a number of diverse software programs.
• Knowledge of statutory, legal and contractual obligations relevant to the Community Services Directorate.

Qualifications

A minimum of a university tertiary qualification in Business Management, Project Management, Community Development or a related Local Government field is required.

Note: Candidates without these qualifications may be considered if they can demonstrate experience that has provided a level of knowledge required for this position.

Culture

Staff choose to work here because of their commitment to advancing the lives of our residents. Staff are rewarded with diverse and challenging work that supports career growth.

Under MacDonnell Regional Council's Special Measures Scheme, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for this position and will be preferenced in the selection process if they meet all the essential selection criteria and are suitable at the position level.

This is an incredible opportunity to live and work in Central Australia.

Benefits:

• 6 weeks annual leave and generous personal, study and cultural leave
• Up to 3% additional Employer Super Contribution
• Remote Salary packaging
• Vehicle included in package
• Relocation allowance

For further information contact Jeff MacLeod, CEO, by phoning (08) 8958 9600.