Director of Operations and Maintenance
Job No:
PEAK286
Location:
Cloncurry
About Cloncurry
Cloncurry is located in North West Queensland and is approximately 120km east of Mount Isa, 770km west of Townsville and 450km south of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Cloncurry is at the heart of Queensland’s transport hub with key rail, air and road links from the eastern seaboard through to the Northern Territory and its well established cattle industry includes some of the largest pastoral leases in the country. Situated in the heart of the North West Mineral Province, the town has one of the richest and most established mining investments in Australia.
Over the years Cloncurry has been the focal point for many of Australia's greatest innovations. Cloncurry was involved with the beginnings of Qantas, and the original Qantas Hangar is still in use at the airport, where 'Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services' is still displayed about the hangar door.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service was founded in Cloncurry in 1928, now recognised the world over. The airport was also en route for early planes coming from overseas and a stopping place for contestants in the Great Air Races of 1919 and 1934. During the Second World War, Cloncurry was the site of a major United States of America air base.
The railway reached Cloncurry in 1907 and was officially opened in 1908, and remains an important industry in the town.
A visit to Cloncurry Unearthed Visitor Information Centre and Museum, or John Flynn Place Museum and Art Gallery will open the eye of any budding historian to the richness of Cloncurry's history.
Cloncurry is a rural town, which derives its main income from the mining and pastoral industries. The town itself is nestled on the banks of the Cloncurry River. The Cloncurry River catchment area begins in the Selwyn Ranges and flows into the Flinders River, where it continues on to empty into the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is well-connected to the east coast with direct flights to Townsville and Brisbane. Residents have access to a wide range of general and specialist health; education (to Grade 12) and kindergarten, child care. There is an abundance of sporting clubs and activities to partake in along with a wide range of events and activities to entertain locals, visitors and tourists throughout the year.
For more information about the region, please click here
About Council
Cloncurry Shire Council is a future-focused, community-responsive organisation with a charter to enhance all facets of life in the Shire. Creating this improved future is underpinned by an increased focus on planning for the long-term needs of the community and coordinating the delivery and ongoing management of services, infrastructure, and facilities.
Popularly known as the “Friendly Heart of the Great North West”, Cloncurry has the feel of a western town with the progressiveness of a modern community. The ‘Curry’, as it is affectionately known by locals, is 120km east of Mount Isa and 400km south of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Cloncurry Shire Council is made up of the Mayor and five Councillors. The March 2020 local government quadrennial election occurred on March 28 2020. Mayor, Gregory Campbell ran unopposed.
Council's Corporate Plan 2016-2021 can be found here
About the Position
Reporting to the CEO and as a member of the Executive team, you have responsibility for the efficient and effective management of a broad Operations portfolio including Asset Management, Operations and Works departments. Your charter will be to provide leadership across the day to day operations as well as providing guidance and oversight across this extremely diverse portfolio to keep driving business activities forward. A demonstrated understanding of asset management and the importance of managing contractors to ensure they are delivering against agreed outcomes will underpin everything you do in taking this role to the next level.
Council manages its own water treatment and sewerage plant, airport, childcare centre through to the sale yards which .5M cattle pass through each year. The scope and diversity of the position would be on par with several larger Councils and is what excites people coming out to the region.
The Director of Operations will lead and direct the following functions:
- Asset Management Department
- Operations Department
- Works Department
A Candidate Briefing Document which contains further details on the role and the region can be accessed HERE
A Full Position Description and Remuneration Schedule can be found HERE
The Person
You will have ideally worked in a similar position and have proven leadership skills and qualifications in engineering, business, or a related discipline. Others will describe you as having a high level of integrity, unlimited drive and energy, a sense of urgency and a track record of meeting agreed deliverables. Council follows best practice in everything they do and there is a dynamic team in place for you to work with and support.
This is a role for someone who is genuinely passionate and motivated to take this area of Council to the next level. You will understand Asset Management and the importance of planning ahead. Building long term maintenance plans and getting on top of this area will ensure savings in the longer term for Council. With vast numbers of contractors across various areas needing to be managed - each contract needs detailed processes in line with QA to ensure contractors are delivering against what has been agreed.
Selection Criteria for the appointment includes the following:
- A degree in engineering, business or a related discipline
- Demonstrated senior management experience, preferably including specialisation in one or more of the following areas: infrastructure/public asset management, water and sewerage, transport and fleet management.
- Success in leading teams in the development of sustainable solutions to strategic business problems and opportunities.
- Extensive senior leadership experience in a complex service environment, including proven ability to ensure the best use of resources (people, finance and assets) to get results.
- Demonstrated success in leading significant organisational and cultural change initiatives.
- Extensive experience in financial planning, management and reporting to a high level and across multiple disciplines.
- Warm and approachable interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with a wide range of people, both orally and in writing, including strategic report writing experience.
- Conflict resolution and negotiation skills of a high order including extensive experience in stakeholder engagement including demonstrated public speaking, public relations and media skills.
- Extensive experience in developing, preparing and implementing strategic business plans in diverse and complex service environments to deliver successful outcomes.
- Experience in strategic planning, policy and procedure formulation and establishment of monitoring and reporting systems and budgets.
Desirable Selection Criteria
- A membership of a relevant professional Institute
- Post graduate qualifications in a relevant discipline
- Experience and understanding of the local government or a similar statutory authority working environment
Why this Role?
The diversity of the operation is substantial and puts Council on par with several much larger Councils. There is simply no area in LG you won’t manage so covering every element will provide a springboard for enhancing your future career prospects. Voted the friendliest town in QLD – there is a strong community feel, and Cloncurry represents a great place for families to feel safe and to enjoy every advantage of living in outback QLD, particularly in these uncertain times.
This is no ordinary role in local government. Whilst Cloncurry may not be somewhere you’ve previously considered living and working - you will work closely with the CEO and have your ideas supported and a genuine opportunity to ensure ‘best practice’ is embedded across your functional areas of responsibility. The experience gained will be hard to equal elsewhere and will undoubtedly enable you to realise future career aspirations.
This is a regional centre that has more facilities than most including a fully staffed medical centre, hospital, airport etc.
If a change is something you’ve been looking for this could be your chance to enjoy life away from the extreme measures being experienced in the capital cities and to enjoy all the benefits of living in a unique rural location. Alternatively, it may represent a move for those already in North QLD who are keen to accelerate their career.
This is a 3-year contract and an attractive remuneration package of up to $160K + super, rent free council house, FMV, 5 weeks' leave and relocation assistance is on offer.
How to Apply
PEAK Services is working in conjunction with Cloncurry Shire Council, exclusively on this position. We offer local government expertise across a wide range of professional fields, providing tailored solutions for councils and other similar organisations. We work with our clients to deliver meaningful outcomes in recruitment and contracting services.
You will be required to answer a few questions that relate to the criteria on the online application below. Please note that you cannot submit your application without attaching your resume. A cover letter is not mandatory, but may be added if so desired. When uploading your Resume or documents please ensure file names should only include 'A-z', '0-9', '.' and '-' characters.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you have commenced your application you cannot save and continue at a later stage.
Applications will close at 10pm on Monday 23rd November 2020
For a confidential conversation, please call Rona Horsfall at Peak Recruitment Services on 0438 943854.