Team Leader Waste and Policy Innovation Project

About Maribyrnong

Just six kilometres west of Melbourne's CBD, Maribyrnong is one of Victoria's most diverse and dynamic municipalities. With a population of over 100,000, the City is known for its cultural vibrancy, strong community spirit, and rich mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

Council is dedicated to creating an inclusive, sustainable, and connected community. With a commitment to innovation and bold action, Maribyrnong is leading the way in tackling climate change and embedding sustainability across its services. This includes major investment in waste reform, sustainable transport, and urban renewal projects that aim to improve liveability and reduce environmental impacts.

As part of this commitment, the Waste Services team is playing a pivotal role in delivering the Towards Zero Waste Strategy and preparing for the introduction of Victoria's legislated 4-bin system by 2027. For people joining the team, it's an opportunity to contribute to city-shaping change with long-term community benefits.

About the Role

This role provides strategic leadership for Maribyrnong's Towards Zero Waste Policy & Innovation Project, ensuring the organisation has the policies, systems, and technologies needed to achieve ambitious waste and sustainability goals.

You will lead a comprehensive review of Council's waste policies and guidelines, identify opportunities to enhance data collection and management, establish robust reporting capabilities, and oversee the review and development of the municipal waste charge. You will also lead the planning, design, and implementation of RFID technology and develop systems to manage bin asset data critical for long-term asset management and financial sustainability. The role also involves investigating emerging technologies such as AI and developing strong business cases to secure executive endorsement for initiatives aligned with project objectives.

As Team Leader, you will supervise the Policy Development Officer, manage project resources and budgets, and foster collaboration across departments, contractors, and external partners. This position requires strong policy and project management skills, the ability to embed new practices into routine operations, and clear communication to address community concerns and build stakeholder trust.

A key responsibility is ensuring new practices, systems, contracts, and community engagement activities are delivered on time, effectively implemented, and embedded into business-as-usual operations. The role also includes budget oversight, governance reporting, and collaboration with state government and sector partners to achieve successful project outcomes.

About You

You are a proven policy and project leader with extensive experience in waste services within local or state government. You have a deep understanding of operational requirements, combined with expertise in project management, technological advancements, and innovation in the sector.

With a strong background in project planning and policy development, you excel at managing complex projects that integrate technology, data, and innovation into service delivery. You demonstrate strong financial acumen and risk management skills to ensure projects are delivered within budget and aligned with organisational priorities.

Confident in presenting to large stakeholder groups, you can influence and explain complex information in a way that fosters buy-in and supports change. A collaborative and forward-thinking leader, you thrive on building partnerships and guiding teams through change, with a clear focus on delivering positive community outcomes.

Application Process

Public Sector People is partnering with Maribyrnong City Council to recruit this position. To request a copy of the position description, please contact Marcel Lafontaine on or

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter via the link. Applications close November 3rd 2025