Group Manager Communities (200277)
Executive Contract | Full Time | 36.25 hours per week | Contract term of up to 5 years
Redland City Council offers you the chance to improve lives and shape your own career… on beautiful Redlands Coast.
Redlands is proud to rank among Queensland’s Top 5 local government areas for wellbeing in the SGS Cities and Regions Wellbeing Index - confirming our community as a great place to live, work, and grow.
Join our team as the Group Manager Communities
The Group Manager Communities plays a pivotal leadership role in delivering Council's vision for connected, inclusive and thriving communities. Reporting to the General Manager Community and Customer Services, this position provides strategic and operational leadership across a broad portfolio of community-focused services, currently encompassing community development, community safety, sports and recreation, community venues, social planning, grants, community leases/licences and permits and cemeteries.
As Council continues to grow and respond to the evolving needs of the Redlands Coast community, this role presents an exciting opportunity for a contemporary and forward-thinking leader to help shape the future direction of community services. The Group Manager Communities will play a key role in driving innovation, leading transformational initiatives and ensuring services remain responsive, sustainable and aligned to Council's strategic priorities.
Leading a diverse team across multiple service areas, the role is responsible for driving service excellence, operational performance, financial sustainability and continuous improvement, ensuring community services and infrastructure meet the current and future needs of the region. The role develops and implements strategic initiatives, fosters strong partnerships with community, government and industry stakeholders, and provides expert advice to support informed decision-making and the achievement of Council's corporate objectives.
Success in this role will require a leader who is comfortable navigating complexity, embracing change and adapting to evolving priorities, while maintaining a strong focus on community outcomes and organisational performance. Operating within a dynamic legislative and stakeholder environment, the role balances strategic thinking with operational leadership to optimise service delivery, build organisational capability and contribute to Council's long-term success.
Your responsibilities will include:
Strategic Focus: Lead the development and delivery of Community strategies, programs, catalyst projects and long-term initiatives that align with Council's Vision, Corporate Plan and community priorities, while driving continuous improvement, service integration and sustainable outcomes for the Redlands Coast community.
Adaptability: Anticipate and respond to emerging political, economic, social and industry trends, leading innovation, technology adoption and business transformation initiatives that strengthen organisational capability and position Council to meet future community needs.
Building Capability: Foster a high-performing, inclusive and customer-focused culture through inspirational leadership, workforce planning, employee engagement, coaching and development, ensuring a strong commitment to safety, wellbeing and continuous learning.
Results: Oversee the delivery of diverse community-focused portfolios, including Community Planning, Community Investment, Community Spaces, Strengthening Communities, and Cemeteries, while ensuring sound financial stewardship, effective resource management, operational excellence and continuous improvement to maximise community value.
Relationships: Build and maintain trusted relationships with Councillors, government agencies, Traditional Owners, community organisations, industry partners and other key stakeholders, championing a customer-centric approach that strengthens partnerships, manages community expectations and delivers positive outcomes for the community.
Governance: Ensure robust governance, risk management, legislative compliance and workplace health and safety practices across all areas of responsibility, while monitoring performance, managing organisational risks and providing accurate and timely reporting to support informed decision-making and sustainable service delivery.
Skills and experience:
Extensive senior leadership experience, ideally within community service, facility, and governance or similarly diverse environments.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically, develop long-term solutions and provide high-quality advice that supports organisational objectives, community outcomes and sustainable service delivery.
Proven experience leading organisational change, business transformation and culture initiatives, with the ability to navigate complexity, drive innovation and achieve positive outcomes.
Strong people leadership capability, with a track record of building high-performing teams, fostering an inclusive and safe workplace culture, and developing organisational capability through coaching and workforce development.
Commercial and operational acumen, including experience managing complex portfolios, projects, budgets, contracts and resources to deliver effective, efficient and customer-focused services.
Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and negotiate successful outcomes across government, community, industry and commercial sectors.
Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities, manage risk and deliver practical solutions in complex environments.
Experience working within legislative, regulatory and governance frameworks, with a commitment to accountability, compliance and sound corporate governance practices.
Make sure to read the full Position Description before applying - it outlines everything you need to tailor your resume and cover letter.
Why this role stands out:
Shape the future of community outcomes – Lead a broad and high-impact portfolio that directly enhances the lives of Redlands Coast residents, influencing how community services, facilities and programs evolve to meet current and future needs.
Drive strategic leadership and transformation – Join a progressive leadership team and play a key role in delivering Council's long-term vision, leading innovation, continuous improvement and organisational initiatives that create lasting value for the community.
Lead with influence and purpose – Build trusted relationships across government, industry and the community while leading a diverse team of professionals, with the opportunity to influence strategy, shape service delivery and make a tangible difference to the wellbeing and liveability of the Redlands Coast community.
Broaden your executive impact – Work closely with the Executive Leadership Team and have opportunities to act in the General Manager role, contributing to strategic decision-making across the organisation.
Working for us means enjoying diverse work and gaining opportunities to grow in a region of outstanding natural beauty - Redlands Coast. In return for your passion and commitment to making a meaningful and ongoing contribution to our naturally wonderful community, we offer great benefits and the balance you need to bring the best you.
More reasons to love working with us:
- Competitive remuneration package, including 13.5% superannuation and a vehicle allowance of $23,395 per annum.
- 20 days annual leave and 15 days personal and carer's leave.
- Access to study leave, professional development opportunities and professional membership support.
- Parental leave and compassionate leave provisions.
- Flexible working arrangements that reflect the seniority and responsibilities of the role.
- The opportunity to lead a high-impact portfolio and make a lasting difference for the Redlands Coast community.
Who we are:
Redland City Council is a local government organisation proudly serving the Redlands Coast community. From maintaining roads, parks, waterways and islands, to delivering essential services like waste, water, libraries, and community events - we support the city’s day-to-day life and long-term growth. With over 1,200 employees across diverse teams, we’re committed to shaping a thriving, sustainable region that our community is proud of.
Guided by our Values, we’re proud of the work we do and the people who make it possible. Visit our careers page to learn more about the stories of our incredible team.
Eligibility:
- You'll hold tertiary qualifications in Business, Social Science, or a related discipline, and/or have significant equivalent experience in a senior leadership role.
- You'll have a current motor vehicle licence for road travel within Australia.
- Experience in property leasing, sport and recreation, customer experience services and/or the public sector will be highly regarded.
- Successful applicants will be asked to consent to a police check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.
- To be eligible for employment, applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia.
Ready to join us?
Please include:
A one-page cover letter outlining how you meet the role requirements
Your current resume, detailing your skills, experience, and career history
Note:
- We do not accept email, hard copy or third-party applications.
- You may choose to use AI tools when preparing your application, but please ensure your application truthfully reflects your own experience, achievements and alignment to the role.
For more information about this position (200277), please contact Caitlin Hodges on (07) 3829 8285. Applications for this position close at 11:59 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on 02/08/2026.
At Redland City Council, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to contribute to their full potential. We value the unique perspectives and experiences our people bring to serving our community.
To support an inclusive recruitment experience, please let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment or interview process by contacting [email protected]
[Not translated in selected language]
.
