About The Role

Before submitting your application, please read the Candidate Information Pack IP - West Arnhem - Director of Community and Council Service.pdf. Contact John Oberhardt on 0411 869 110 for a confidential discussion regarding the position.

About Council

West Arnhem Regional Council delivers services across five communities and more than 100 outstations, spanning 50,000 km2 of spectacular outback landscape at the very top of the Northern Territory's Top End. The five communities - Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang - sit across a diverse landscape of salt and freshwater country, rugged stone escarpments, and the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.

The Position

Reporting to the CEO and as a member of the Executive Team, the Director Community and Council Services will provide strategic and operational leadership across Council’s community, municipal and children’s services. The role oversees a diverse portfolio including NDIS, aged care, roads, waste, parks, libraries, aquatic facilities and childcare, while ensuring effective service delivery, sound financial and grant management, strong stakeholder relationships and alignment with Council priorities.

About You

You bring extensive experience in a senior leadership/management role, supported by a strong background in community services, municipal service delivery, or local government. You are an experienced senior leader who has successfully led multidisciplinary teams across areas such as community services, council/civil operations, children's services, and grants and funding administration, and can provide practical advice to the CEO, Executive, Council and key stakeholders. Experience working in remote, regional or Indigenous communities will be highly regarded. You understand the challenges and opportunities of delivering services across five regional communities and Jabiru, and can build strong relationships.

You will bring

Demonstrated high level of management and leadership skills, set priorities, plan and organise work in order to meet specific timeframes and allocated tasks, as well as support others in meeting agreed deliverables.
Strong experience in overseeing the full lifecycle of grant and funding agreements in community services, including contract negotiation, funding administration, compliance management, reporting, and performance monitoring.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills, which facilitate interaction, cooperation and trust with relevant groups and individuals including the team and stakeholders, and the ability to negotiate and resolve conflict.
Local Government experience is desirable.

What’s on offer?

An attractive remuneration package of $199,500

Base salary of $175,000 and Superannuation (12%)
Employer-provided accommodation in Jabiru with subsidised rent as well as a fortnightly phone allowance.
Executive vehicle with full private use valued at $20,000 per year

Closes: 9am on Wednesday 23 September 2026.