Manager Community Impact

About this role

Lead the teams that shape how our community connects, engages and thrives. The Role Georges River Council is seeking a highly capable and strategic leader to lead our recently established Community Impact business unit. Reporting to the Director Community & Culture, this role provides leadership across a diverse portfolio including Council's Customer Experience function, Customer Advocates, Events and Sponsorship, Grants Administration and Community Capacity Building. Leading four direct reports and a team of approximately 35 staff, you will set strategic direction, drive organisational priorities and deliver measurable outcomes for our customers and community. This is a unique opportunity to lead a multifunctional business unit that enhances customer experience, delivers community, civic and cultural events, strengthens community capability and ensures Council services and initiatives reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of our community. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, you will build partnerships that maximise community impact, drive continuous improvement across key community-facing services, and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and customer focus. You will ensure services, programs and projects are delivered effectively and align with Council's strategic priorities. This is a temporary full-time opportunity for up to 12 months to cover a period of maternity leave. Key responsibilities: • Provide strategic leadership across Customer Experience, Customer Advocates, Events and Sponsorship, and Community Capacity Building teams to deliver high-quality customer and community outcomes aligned with Council's strategic objectives. • Lead the development and implementation of community and customer-focused strategies, initiatives and service improvements that respond to evolving community needs and deliver measurable outcomes. • Oversee Council's community, civic and cultural events portfolio, sponsorship and grants programs, and community development initiatives to strengthen participation, community wellbeing and social impact. • Drive excellence in customer experience through the leadership of customer service operations, customer feedback and complaints management, ensuring customer insights, research and feedback inform service delivery, organisational priorities and continuous improvement. • Build and strengthen partnerships across government, community, education and business sectors to maximise community impact and create opportunities for collaboration and shared outcomes. • Lead the use of customer, community and organisational data to evaluate impact, inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement across the portfolio. • Manage business unit performance, budgets and resources to ensure services and projects are delivered efficiently, effectively and in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements. • Provide high-level strategic advice and reporting to the Executive Team on operational performance, emerging issues, risks and community outcomes. • Lead, coach and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability and exceptional service delivery. About You You are a strategic and collaborative leader with experience delivering customer-focused services, community programs and organisational outcomes through multidisciplinary teams. You are passionate about creating positive customer and community outcomes, building strong partnerships, and leading high-performing teams in a complex environment. You will bring: • Relevant tertiary qualifications in Management, Public Policy, Community Development, Social Sciences or a related discipline, or equivalent experience. • Demonstrated experience leading high-performing teams and fostering a positive, customer-centric culture. • Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills across government, community and business sectors. • Experience leading customer experience, customer-facing services, community impact, grants or related initiatives. • Proven financial, project and change management experience, including budget development and performance management. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead the use of customer, community and organisational insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement. • Excellent communication, negotiation and report-writing skills, with the ability to provide strategic advice to senior stakeholders. • The ability to operate effectively in a complex and politically sensitive environment, demonstrating sound judgement and strategic thinking. • A current NSW Class C Driver Licence and Working with Children Check. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to shape customer experience, community impact and participation while contributing to the delivery of Council's strategic vision. What We Offer • Temporary full time – 70 hours per fortnight • Total Remuneration Package: $214,021.02 to $246.036.40 gross p.a. (inclusive of base, 12% superannuation, and $10,780.00 vehicle allowance) • Enjoy flexible working options, including flexible start and finish times, hybrid work (after probation) • Access to Fitness Passport for you and your family • Additional five days of Manager's Leave each year • Confidential Employee Assistance Program • Employee Rewards Program If you have made a positive commitment to further your career and you possess the attributes detailed in the Position Description essential criteria, then please submit your application today. Applicants are asked to ensure that they provide responses to the targeted questions, failure to do so may result in your application not being considered. If you would like further information on this role, please contact Kristie Dodd, Director Community & Culture on 02 9330 6035. Applications must be completed and submitted via our website. Closing Date: Friday, 14 August 2026 at 11.59 PM AEST. Offers of employment at Georges River Council are contingent upon satisfactory results of a thorough background check. Please note you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident or have unlimited working rights (with no Visa restrictions) to apply for this position. Georges River Council is a progressive, people-focused organisation with 600 dedicated staff delivering exceptional services to our diverse and vibrant community. Our vision is to be 'naturally connected to place, community, and Country'. We are committed to creating accessible green, and liveable spaces, nurturing creativity, protecting the natural environment, and building a thriving local economy. We foster our values of Accountability, Professionalism, Unity and Honesty and take pride in promoting the image of Council in the community. We are committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, workers of all ages, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. At Georges River Council we are committed to putting children first and championing child safety within our community. We actively advocate for the rights of children and young people and will uphold our commitment as a child safe organisation.