Section Leader Waste Services
City of Coffs Harbour | Permanent Full-Time (35 hours)
Strategic and Operational Leadership Opportunity
* Lead waste strategy and operations through a critical period of transformation
* Drive safety, performance and contractor outcomes across landfill and services
* Shape Coffs Harbour's long-term waste future and infrastructure decisions
The City of Coffs Harbour is entering a pivotal period of change in its waste services function and is seeking an experienced, credible and resilient leader to take accountability for both the strategic direction and operational performance of its waste portfolio.
Reporting to the Group Leader Water and Waste Services, this is a senior specialist leadership role within the City Infrastructure Directorate, with responsibility for waste services, waste strategy and landfill operations. The role combines long-term planning, asset and contract strategy and regulatory oversight with hands-on leadership of day-to-day service delivery in a complex, high-risk operational environment.
This appointment comes at a time when waste services decisions will shape the City's environmental outcomes, infrastructure investments and community experience for decades.
Key challenges include the upcoming transition of Council's green waste and biosolids processing contract (expiring March 2027), planning for landfill capacity and future disposal pathways, strengthening contractor performance, and lifting safety, culture and operational discipline across facilities.
What Success Will Look Like
In the first 12–18 months, success in this role will be reflected through strong leadership presence, growing confidence across the organisation, and steady progress on the City's most important waste priorities.
You will have:
* Built strong, trusted relationships across the waste workforce, creating a more aligned, motivated and professional team environment.
* Established clear, consistent operational standards across facilities, with improved safety performance and greater confidence in systems of work.
* Strengthened contractor partnerships through clear expectations, effective commercial management and constructive, outcomes-focused engagement.
* Led the development of a clear and practical transition pathway for the Biomass contract, providing Council with confidence and optionality ahead of key decisions.
* Progressed a considered, evidence-based approach to landfill capacity and future waste disposal solutions, positioning the City well for long-term planning.
* Enhanced the quality and clarity of advice to executive leadership, enabling informed, timely decision-making on waste strategy, risk and investment.
* Helped shift the waste function from a predominantly reactive operating mode to one that is more planned, disciplined and forward-looking.
Together, these outcomes will demonstrate a waste services function that is stabilised, well-led and positioned for sustainable improvement.
About You
You will bring extensive experience across waste operations, infrastructure or resource recovery, strong contractor and budget management capability, and an engineering or engineering-aligned mindset. Just as importantly, you will be a calm, resilient leader with the credibility to lead change in a complex environment.
Local government experience is desirable but not essential.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a critical public service and leave a lasting legacy for a growing regional city.
For a confidential discussion, contact Leading Roles.
How to Apply
Please visit to download the applicant pack to view the position description and selection criteria before submitting your application.
Applications close: 5:00pm AEST Monday 9 March 2026.