The Canterbury-Bankstown local government area is one of the largest and most culturally diverse areas in New South Wales, serving a community of almost 380,000 residents. The way Council plans, manages and strategically leverages its property portfolio will play a significant role in shaping the city and the quality of life experienced by its community for generations to come.
Council has adopted a principled framework that places community outcomes at the forefront of decision-making, leveraging commercial opportunities selectively and responsibly to maximise long-term value for the community. For example, when delivering a new library or civic facility, Council may explore complementary commercial uses that improve the project's financial viability; however, the community need and public benefit remain the primary drivers of the investment decision.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Director City Future, the Executive Manager Property & Investment provides strategic leadership and stewardship of Council's $1 billion property portfolio, balancing community benefit, financial sustainability and long-term strategic value. Newly created following a strategic review of property across the organisation, the role brings three functions under a single, senior point of accountability:
- Strategic property investment
- Leasing, licensing and commercial transactions
- Property operations
You will act as Council's senior commercial negotiator on high-value, high-risk and reputationally sensitive matters, establish and operate a new Executive Property Committee, and build a coordinated, high-performing property function where one has not previously existed.
About You
You bring extensive senior property leadership across leasing, acquisitions and disposals, redevelopment, complex commercial negotiations and asset optimisation, gained in government, or in a private or state-sector environment where you have chosen to work for community value over shareholder return.
You understand the complexity of property negotiation, ground leases, joint ventures, public private partnerships and unsolicited proposals, and pair that with a genuine appreciation of the role of local government, its probity and governance obligations, and the realities of operating within the framework set out in the NSW Local Government Act 1993. You are comfortable owning decisions and absorbing risk rather than escalating, and you carry councillors, community and executive stakeholders with you.
You have proven experience in leading people within a complex organisational environment, building high performing teams through clear direction, accountability and a shared sense of purpose. You foster a culture of trust, collaboration and continuous improvement, enabling individuals to perform at their best while remaining aligned to broader Canterbury-Bankstown Council’s organisational objectives.
Essential
- Degree in Property, Law, Commerce, Planning or a related field
- Proven experience managing high-value, diverse property portfolios (public or private sector)
- Demonstrated ability to lead high-value, high-risk transactions in government or large organisations
- Strong understanding of government frameworks, governance, and statutory and legal obligations
- Highly developed negotiation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Postgraduate qualifications and relevant professional membership (e.g. API, PIA)
- Understanding of how local government operates within the Local Government Act
This is a rare opportunity to build a strategic property function from the ground up, with the mandate, seniority and portfolio scale to make it matter. Council stewards a property portfolio valued at around $1 billion on behalf of one of the largest communities in New South Wales. Few property leadership roles in Australian local government carry this combination of scale, complexity and genuine community purpose.
How to apply
For a confidential discussion or the full candidate information pack, contact Gareth Broadrick, Director, Head of Government, on gareth@capstonerecruitment.com.au. Applications close midnight Tuesday 18 th August.
