Manager Community Spaces and Recreation

• Lead recreation planning, open space, leisure facilities, and community infrastructure
• Deliver safe, inclusive spaces that boost wellbeing, participation, and social connection
• Drive major projects and partnerships to meet growth, sustainability, and community needs

Mornington Peninsula Shire is Victoria's premier destination municipality, celebrated for its vibrant townships, thriving agriculture, world-class landscapes, iconic tourist regions, and internationally significant conservation areas within a vital Green Wedge. As the state's fifth largest Local Government Area, the Shire delivers more than 100 essential services to a diverse and growing community of 170,000 residents. These services encompass infrastructure, community wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and cultural initiatives, all supporting prosperity and liveability across the region. Home to one of Australia's most dynamic tourism industries, the Mornington Peninsula attracts over 8 million visitors each year, generates $9.5 billion in economic output and sustains more than 62,000 jobs, underpinning its role as a cornerstone of Victoria's visitor economy.

To ensure it continues to meet the needs of its community and capitalise on future opportunities, the Shire is embarking on a new organisational structure designed to modernise service delivery, strengthen leadership, and enhance collaboration across all functions. This is an exciting period of change and renewal, and the Council is seeking candidates who thrive in dynamic environments, bring fresh ideas, and are committed to driving transformation. Successful leaders will embrace innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement, ensuring the organisation remains responsive, future-focused and equipped to deliver outstanding outcomes for its residents, businesses, and visitors.

Reporting to the Director Communities, the Manager Community Spaces and Recreation will provide strong and strategic leadership across recreation planning, open space, leisure facilities and community infrastructure. You will oversee a diverse portfolio that ensures residents and visitors have access to safe, inclusive and well-managed community spaces, while driving forward strategies that enhance wellbeing, participation and social connection. This includes managing major projects, optimising resources, and strengthening partnerships with clubs, associations, state agencies and local groups. You will also play a key role in ensuring that planning and investment in facilities aligns with population growth, environmental sustainability and the diverse needs of the community.

To be successful in this role, you will bring extensive leadership experience within large, complex community, recreation or service delivery environments. You will demonstrate a proven ability to develop and implement strategies that translate vision into practical, high-quality outcomes. With excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, you will build strong partnerships across community organisations, government bodies and other key stakeholders. Confident navigating complex social, political and economic landscapes, you will bring sound judgement, commercial acumen and a collaborative approach. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the long-term liveability and wellbeing of the Mornington Peninsula community by shaping its recreation and community spaces.

To view more information about the opportunities at Mornington Peninsula Council please view the microsite linked here:

To apply, please click 'apply now' and upload your CV and Cover Letter. For any questions not outlined in the PD and for a confidential discussion, please contact Alannah O'Carroll on

Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.

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