General Manager

General Manager | City of Coffs Harbour, NSW

Executive leadership opportunity in a strategically significant regional city

• Provide strategic leadership to an evolving regional organisation of scale

• Deliver major infrastructure, cultural transformation and operational excellence

• Partner with a collaborative, forward-focused Council committed to regional leadership

Coffs Harbour City Council is seeking an experienced, future-focused executive to lead the organisation through a period of growth, activation and renewal. With a population of nearly 80,000 and an expanded regional service role across the Mid North Coast, Coffs Harbour is one of New South Wales’ most strategically positioned and economically diverse regional cities.

Reporting to the Mayor and Council, the General Manager will provide high-level strategic and operational leadership across an organisation of more than 650 employees and an annual operating budget of $240 million. The role encompasses executive oversight of infrastructure delivery, planning and development, financial and asset management, and service innovation.

Council has articulated a clear strategic vision to 2032 — Connected, Sustainable, Thriving — and is now seeking a General Manager to embed this direction through disciplined implementation, high performance and cultural alignment. The organisation is entering a new phase following recent structural change and civic investment, with key opportunities including the Pacific Highway Bypass, urban regeneration, coastal resilience and regional innovation precinct development.

The ideal candidate will be a respected senior executive with extensive local government leadership experience, preferably at GM or Deputy GM level. You will demonstrate sound political judgement, exceptional stakeholder management capability and a track record of leading complex organisations through change. You will be strategic, values-driven and able to foster an environment of trust, accountability and excellence.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-impact regional organisation with significant scope, ambition and momentum — and to play a defining role in shaping the future of Coffs Harbour.

Please download the Applicant Pack and submit your application or for a confidential discussion, please contact Mark Ogston on 0407 674 412.

Applications close 5pm AEST Monday 26 May 2025.