Cultural and Social Development Manager

Location: North Ryde, New South Wales. Employment type: Full-time.

• Be an integral part of Ryde's future vision
• Work with the community and bring growth to our LGA
• Opportunity to use your expertise to make a difference

City of Ryde, just 12 kilometres from Sydney CBD, is a place of unique lifestyle and opportunity. It is home to an engaged and culturally diverse community of around 130,000 people, and a strong and growing Smart City economy including more than 13,000 local businesses, Macquarie Park, world-class hospitals, and a leading university. All balanced with beautiful bushland, riverfront parks, open spaces, and sport facilities. Our council delivers a broad range of services, projects, programs, and events. We are actively committed to innovation, sustainability, resilience and providing exceptional customer experiences, and this relies on attracting and keeping great people. We offer a range of benefits, including flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing programs, a learning and development program including study support, and a reward and recognition program.

This is a unique opportunity for you to drive strategic direction for our social and cultural infrastructure for the City of Ryde. You will lead the development and delivery of the Council's plans placing our community at the forefront of what we do. You will work on key items including development and implementation of our Social Plan, Creativity Strategy, Library Strategy, Halls & Facilities Strategy, the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and the Reconciliation Action Plan.

You will be developing the roadmap for our future success fostering a high performing team environment identifying gaps and providing solutions. You will work closely with key stakeholders taking innovative plans and ideas to fruition.

We care about people, and we care about the facilities they deserve. We are looking for a person to bring their previous leadership experience working within a similar role that would like to make a difference.

You will be able to think outside the square, inspiring collaboration whilst developing a multi-disciplinary team.

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or extensive experience in an associated area, such as community development, cultural and social infrastructure planning, town planning, social sciences, economics, commerce, infrastructure advisory, or business management
• The ability to develop and implement a vision for the pro-active and positive development of Council's Cultural and Social infrastructure
• Ability to build relationships both internally and externally, and utilise effective influencing, consultation, communication and negotiation skills to achieve business and organisational outcomes
• Understanding of the interface between public wellbeing, urban design principles and community planning to achieve positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes for individuals and the community
• Experience in policy and strategy development and implementation through the ability to deliver research, analysis and conceptual thinking
• Demonstrated project management experience with the ability to develop, administer and manage projects with broad professional elements and diverse outcomes

Your commencing annual salary will range from $174,500 to $226,862 + Leaseback Vehicle + Superannuation, dependent on your experience and qualifications.

• Commitment to providing opportunities for work/life balance
• Leaseback Vehicle
• Free shuttle bus between the North Ryde Office and North Ryde Metro Station
• Hybrid work from home and office arrangements available for eligible positions
• 1 Personal Leave day a month
• Long service leave after 5 years, then accrued monthly
• 18 weeks paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
• 3 extra grant days at Christmas to ensure you have time to enjoy the holiday
• Annual performance reviews and Award increases
• Opportunity to sign up as a fitness passport member
• Various health & wellbeing initiatives (i.e. flu vaccinations, etc.)

Please ensure you give full answers to the online application questions, showcasing your abilities and experience. Your answers, in conjunction with your resume, will determine if you are invited to an interview. Please note you do not need a "password" to use our on-line application system, however you have the option to save and return to your application prior to the closing date. In addition to answering the online questions, this position requires you to attach your Resume to complete the application process. Please note, you are not required to submit a cover letter or a statement addressing selection criteria.

Closing Date: Wednesday 17th September 2025 at 11:30pm

If you would like to know more, please see the position description or contact Kelly Hawkins, Talent Acquisition Specialist on 02 9952 8480 for a confidential discussion.

City of Ryde is committed to Equal Employment and Child Safety