Manager Parks and Open Space

At Hobsons Bay City Council, we are proud to serve a vibrant, diverse and growing community. Guided by our vision of "valuing the wellbeing of our people and our place, now and into the future", we are seeking a bold and compassionate leader to take on the role of Manager Projects and Infrastructure.

The opportunity

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will guide the strategic direction of Hobsons Bay's parks, gardens, conservation reserves and open spaces. Leading a multidisciplinary team of Coordinators, you'll champion innovation, sustainability and excellence in how Council plans, designs, maintains and enhances green spaces for the community.

You'll play a pivotal role in shaping the natural and recreational landscape of Hobsons Bay, ensuring our open spaces are safe, inclusive and environmentally resilient. From tree management to urban design, your leadership will help create vibrant places that support biodiversity, active lifestyles and community wellbeing.

What You'll Be Working On

• Provide strategic leadership across parks maintenance, horticulture, arboriculture and open space planning and design
• Lead, mentor and empower a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, sustainable outcomes
• Oversee the design and delivery of conservation and open spaces that reflect community needs
• Champion continuous improvement and innovation in open space planning and service delivery
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to align open space outcomes with Council's strategic vision
• Represent Hobsons Bay in partnerships with government agencies, contractors and community groups
• Provide expert advice to Council, the CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on parks and open space priorities
• Manage budgets, business plans and performance reporting to ensure accountability and alignment with Council objectives

What You'll Need To Succeed

You are a strategic leader who thrives in a complex, high-impact environment. You will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in horticulture, environmental science, urban design or a related field
• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams across parks, gardens and open space portfolios
• Strong financial, contract and operational management capabilities
• Expert knowledge of horticulture, arboriculture, conservation planning and open space design frameworks
• Exceptional communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills
• A commitment to sustainability, inclusion and community-first service delivery

Why you should apply

This is a fantastic opportunity for a strategic and community-focused leader to shape the future of parks and open spaces in Hobsons Bay. You'll lead a diverse and impactful portfolio spanning horticulture, conservation, arboriculture, urban design and open space planning, directly enhancing the liveability and ecological health of our city. With strong collaboration across Council departments and external partners, you'll be part of a supportive and experienced team that values innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement. This role offers significant scope to grow professionally while making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and the environment across Hobsons Bay.

Applications should include

• A cover letter which should outline your interest in the Manager Parks and Open Space role and demonstrate how your experience aligns with Hobsons Bay City Council's values and strategic goals.
• A current CV which includes key achievements & relevant qualifications

To find out more about the role, please contact David Gibilisco, Talent Acquisition Advisor on dgibilisco@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or 03 9932 1093.

Applications will be accepted until 11:30pm 28th September 2025.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Progressed candidates will be required to complete a National Police Check & a Working With Children Check (WWCC).

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa with full unrestricted working rights. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.

Make an impact that matters

At Hobsons Bay we work as one to achieve exceptional outcomes for our community.

Hobsons Bay Council is shaping precincts, building community infrastructure, delivering positive environmental, social and economic outcomes through programs and policies, and providing over 120 services to strengthen our diverse community.

If you're ready to rise to the challenge of making a real difference, join us to help create a community and city that is inclusive, empowered, sustainable and visionary.

What We Can Offer

Council offers hybrid working with newly renovated office facilities in the Civic Centre.

We support ongoing professional development, as your career matters to us

And we provide an employee assistance program, as well as wellbeing programs for staff including Yoga and Pilates classes, walking clubs and more.

We are a proud inclusive employer. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply for our job opportunities. Our commitment is to provide diverse, safe and inclusive environments where everyone can grow and succeed.

Attachments

• PD - Manager Parks and Open Space-DRAFT.pdf
• PD - Manager Parks and Open Space-DRAFT.docx