Director Of Corporate Services

About Us

The West Daly Regional Council covers 14,000 square kilometres and is located about 300 to 420 kilometres south-west of Darwin. The area is mainly rural, with three Indigenous communities at Peppimenarti, Nganmarriyanga (Palumpa) and Wadeye which are managed by West Daly Regional Council (Council).

Council’s vision is to work together to make a difference in the community by creating places that are respectful, peaceful and safe. The mission of Council is to walk alongside culture, country and people to build a stronger community by working together, creating real opportunities and providing services and facilities that everyone can use.

Position Summary

The Director of Corporate Services is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, responsible for leading the strategic direction, governance, and operational performance of Council’s corporate functions.

This role provides high-level leadership across finance, grants, asset and fleet management, contracts, tenancy management, and organisational compliance, ensuring sustainable financial management, effective governance, and service delivery aligned with Council’s strategic objectives.

The key duties of this role include but are not limited to:

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight across the Council’s corporate services, aligning operational functions with the broader organisational strategy.
• Drive the development and execution of policies that promote financial sustainability, resource efficiency, and operational excellence within the Council’s governance framework.

2. Corporate & Financial Management

• Provide strategic financial leadership to the CEO, SLT, and elected members, focusing on budgeting, financial planning, and risk management.
• Oversee financial reporting, including the preparation of capital and operational budgets, forecasts, and statutory financial statements.
• Manage Council’s finance functions, including end-to-end payroll, procurement, accounts payable/receivable, and banking relationships.
• Ensure the Council complies with all relevant financial legislation, accounting standards, and audit requirements.
• Implement advanced risk management strategies to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risks, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and industry best practices.
• Lead the preparation of financial statements, audits, and statutory reports, fostering transparency and accountability across all financial operations

3. Strategic Oversight of Grant Initiatives

• Ensure all grant applications and funding agreements comply with Council policies, financial regulations, and legislative requirements.
• Guide the selection and prioritisation of grant-eligible projects, ensuring they are well-prepared with supporting data, assessments, and feasibility studies.
• Provide oversight for grant application quality assurance, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance before submission.
• Work closely with the Finance team to track grant applications, manage funding allocations, and ensure financial sustainability of grant-supported projects.
• Mentor and support the Grants Manager in strategic grant identification, project readiness, and application processes to maximize funding success.

4. Fleet Management

• Manage the Council’s fleet of vehicles and machinery, ensuring efficient utilisation, compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, and alignment with operational needs.
• Develop fleet replacement programs, asset registers, and lifecycle cost planning to optimise Council’s fleet resources.

5. Contract Management (Pool and Aerodrome)

• Lead the management of Council’s Pool and Aerodrome contracts, ensuring compliance with service standards, funding agreements, and legislative obligations.

• Monitor contractor performance, budgets, and reporting, ensuring outcomes meet Council and community expectations.

7. Tenancy Management

• Oversee Council’s tenancy portfolio, ensuring compliance with tenancy agreements, rent collection, maintenance obligations, and tenant engagement.
• Implement fair, transparent, and culturally sensitive tenancy management practices.

8. Team Leadership and Organisational Development

• Lead, mentor, and manage the corporate services team, including the Finance Team, to foster a high-performance culture that aligns with organisational objectives.
• Promote professional development and capacity-building within the team, ensuring staff are equipped to meet the dynamic challenges of the Council’s corporate environment.

 9. Compliance, Risk, and Audit Oversight

• Ensure rigorous compliance with all legislative and regulatory requirements, particularly in financial management, asset control, and governance practices.
• Lead the Council’s audit processes, working closely with external auditors to ensure accurate financial reporting and governance adherence.
• Maintain the Council’s compliance registers and risk management framework, ensuring that risks are proactively identified, assessed, and mitigated.

10. Other Duties as Required

• The role may be required to perform other duties as necessary to support the operational needs of the Council. This may include tasks outside of the specific areas mentioned, depending on emerging priorities.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Business, or similar field (desirable), or extensive senior management experience within local government
• Eligibility for CPA, CA or equivalent professional membership
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budgeting and risk management
• Experience in governance, compliance, and audit processes
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making skills
• Current NT Driver’s Licence
• National Police Check and Working with Children (Ochre Card)
• Ability to travel to remote communities, including overnight stays

Why Join Our Growing Team?

• Attractive Executive Level Salary Package (Base salary of $182,104 per annum)
• 12% Superannuation
• Relocation assistance up to $5,000 (subject to policy)
• Six weeks annual leave + 17.5% leave loading
• Additional NAIDOC Day public holiday
• Flexible working arrangements (subject to CEO approval)
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in remote communities
• Work/life balance in a unique and culturally rich region

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to apply for this role.

WDRC is committed to providing quality services and fostering a prosperous and sustainable future for the region. Join our team and contribute to building strong, safe, and healthy communities.

Important Information

• Only candidates with the right to work in Australia will be considered.
• Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and the suitable applicants may be interviewed as they apply.
• The position may be filled/advertisement may be closed prior to the closing date if the suitable candidate is identified.
• Our recruitment process involves several checks including, but not limited to, criminal history, as well as verification of qualifications, licences and right-to-work status.
• Applications Close: 01st May 2026

How to Apply:

• Click ‘Apply’ and submit your resume.
• For the full Position Description or enquiries, contact: recruitment@westdaly.nt.gov.au