Head of Climate and Circular Economy

Glen Eira City Council is seeking a Head of Climate and Circular Economy to lead a team focusing on climate, sustainability, and waste management. This permanent position offers a salary of $145K - $155K per annum. Responsibilities include developing strategies, managing contracts, and driving advocacy efforts. Candidates should have a strong leadership background in climate strategy and a relevant tertiary education. The role is based in Caulfield South, VIC, Australia.
• Newly created leadership position
• Permanent position
• $145K - $155K per annum + superannuation

About the team

Exciting changes are happening! As part of our department restructure, we’re introducing new leadership roles and a fresh focus on alignment, efficiency, and innovation. By centralising specialist expertise and optimising resources, we’re ensuring we can meet the evolving needs of our community and Council—now and into the future. If you’re looking to be part of a forward-thinking team where your work makes a real impact, this is your opportunity to join us on our journey of transformation.

About the role

As the Head Climate and Circular Economy, you will lead a team of technical experts across climate, sustainability, waste management, and environmental strategy. You will be responsible for developing and implementing key strategies and policies, overseeing contract and risk management, and driving Council’s advocacy efforts in these areas.

You will play a key role in advancing climate emergency response, overseeing Council’s waste management services, ensuring long-term planning, best practice OHS, continuous improvement, and value-driven service delivery.

Other responsibilities include:
• Drive change management initiatives for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Achieve excellence in customer service, by setting performance goals and reviewing service performance
• Provide best practice contract management, probity and procurement planning for Council's $20 million waste services.
• Lead development and deployment of Council’s Climate Emergency Plan and Circular Economy Plan, including but not limited to:
• Biodiversity Planning;
• Climate Change mitigation and adaptation; and
• Sustainability Programs.

About you

You are a strategic leader with a strong background in strategic change and business management, you excel at managing process change and delivering on Council’s Vision. Your ability to lead teams, foster collaboration, ensures successful delivery of council’s sustainability objectives. Passionate about climate action, innovation, you thrive in dynamic environment, shaping long-term strategies for a more sustainable future.

The following is also required:
• Tertiary education in Science, Environmental Engineering or related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading climate and/or waste strategy and delivery.
• Substantial experience in a leadership position.
• Extensive experience in advocacy and leading change in organisations.

Not meeting all the requirements for this role? We value diverse experiences for positive community outcomes. If you're excited about the position but don't perfectly align with the criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Pre-employment checks

Progressed candidates must undergo pre-employment screening as a standard procedure which will include:
• Employee Working with Children Check
• New National Police Record Check
• Evidence of right to work in Australia.

Pre-employment checks are not used by Glen Eira City Council to prevent any applicant from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Position Description

Head of Climate and Circular Economy - Position Description.pdf

Apply NOW!

All applications must be submitted online by clicking the ‘Apply’ button. As part of your application, you will need to:
• Attach your resume
• Attach a cover letter (no more than one page)

Closing date: 16 April 2025 at 11.55pm

For further information or a confidential discussion please contact Jess Wingad, Manager Sustainability and Assets, on 9524 3814 or email JWingad@gleneira.vic.gov.au

Glen Eira City Council prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer and a child safe organisation. As a Council, we are committed to:
• Providing a diverse and inclusive workplace that values the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, as well as all our employees.
• Receiving applications from people of all diverse abilities, skills, languages, cultures and backgrounds including: people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse people.
• Reconciliation and supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aspirations.

If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and require advice and support with the recruitment process, contact our Aboriginal Community Officer atAboriginal@gleneira.vic.gov.au

We value the knowledge, skills and talents that all people can share with our workforce and community.