Manager Governance

Join one of South Australia's fastest-growing council areas and take the next step in your career with the Rural City of Murray Bridge. Here you'll grow professionally in a supportive, friendly and collaborative workplace that values your contribution and invests in your success.

We are a Growing, Thriving and Strong region with the vision and ambition to deliver great outcomes for our community. Our work is purposeful and people-focused, from shaping vibrant public spaces to delivering services that make a real difference. Located just 75 kilometres from Adelaide in the picturesque Murraylands, our rural city blends community charm with rapidly growing urban areas. The Murray River is at our heart, surrounded by scenic reserves, walking trails and tourism attractions. We're an easy 45 minutes commute from Adelaide and close to the Fleurieu Peninsula and Barossa Valley, offering something for everyone.

Murray Bridge is a significant growth area with strong employment prospects and exciting development ahead. Our revitalisation of public spaces has transformed the city and strengthened community pride, and we are committed to building on this momentum for the future.

With an exciting opportunity to innovate and enhance governance practices, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Governance specialist for the position of Manager Governance. This role will report to the General Manager Corporate and Innovation and support informed decision making and contribute to accountable and transparent government.

The successful candidate will enjoy flexible/hybrid working arrangements.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Deliver governance and legal compliance services across Council, ensuring adherence to the Local Government Act and associated legislation
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the CEO, Executive, Mayor, Elected Members, and staff on governance, compliance, and informed decision-making processes
• Support the effective functioning of Council meetings and advise Executive and Elected Members on their governance responsibilities
• Manage the Council elections and Governance projects such as the Representation Review
• Prepare and deliver written reports, discussion papers, and advice to a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring clarity and transparency in all governance matters
• Foster and maintain legal, ethical, and compliance standards to enhance public trust and stakeholder confidence

The ideal candidate will have:

• Qualifications or relevant experience in Local Government, Law, Business, Management, or a related field
• Extensive experience in a senior administrative/governance role within Local Government
• Expertise in interpreting and applying the Local Government Act 1999 and other relevant legislation, and experience in managing complaints, public interest disclosures, grievances, elections, representation reviews and FOI requests
• A strong understanding of Council protocols, meeting proceedings and Code of Practice, and Council policy
• Strong communication skills, with experience in providing high-level written and oral advice to a variety of audiences
• Ability to build consensus, foster relationships, and resolve conflicts effectively
• Experience in optimising Governance systems

This role requires a politically savvy and proactive, innovative, and customer-focused leader who is dedicated to excellence in governance and committed to advancing the strategic objectives of a fast-growing Council. This position offers a competitive remuneration package, professional development opportunities, and an excellent work/life balance. It is an ideal opportunity for a highly energised professional with proven experience and a genuine passion for making a meaningful impact in the local community.

To express your interest in this exciting role, please visit and reference job number J8181. For further inquiries, contact Tamara Chambers - Senior Associate - Executive Search

This will be a rolling recruitment process, and we encourage applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Be part of a region where governance, leadership, and community engagement come together to create lasting impact.