Vacancy Details

Community Capacity and Recovery Lead

  • Salary Range Band 7 $111,873 - $125,191 plus 12% Super
  • Permanent Full-time position focused on emergency recovery, resilience building, and community capacity development.
  • Located at St Kilda Town Hall with flexible working arrangements possible.

About the Organisation 

The City of Port Phillip is an inner-city council with around 1000 employees who deliver more than 100 programs and services to our residents, businesses and visitors. These range from childcare and immunisations, to libraries, management of parks and open space, rubbish collection, road maintenance and more. City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed Child Safe organisation. 

About the Role

The City of Port Phillip is seeking a Community Capacity and Partnerships Lead to strengthen community resilience, deepen partnerships, and lead community centred recovery planning and delivery.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about community development, relationship building, and collaboration across sectors. You will work closely with community organisations, residents, social service partners, and government agencies to build capability, increase preparedness, and ensure inclusive recovery outcomes.

You will also contribute to Council’s formal emergency management responsibilities, including serving as an on call Municipal Recovery Manager and supporting Emergency Relief Centre coordination.

Duties:

  • Lead community-centered recovery planning, co-designing strategies with internal and external partners that foster resilient, connected and prepared communities. 
  • Build and strengthen partnerships with community organisations, not-for-profits, neighbourhood houses, services providers, local businesses and government agencies to deliver shared recovery and resilience outcomes.
  • Design and deliver community development initiatives that increase resilience, knowledge, skills, networks and social connection across diverse communities. 
  • Grow sector capability by coordinating community training calendars, directories, sector newsletters and tools that support information sharing and capability building
  • Lead inclusive engagement processes that reflect and embed cultural safety, access, equity, and community voice.
  • Support coordinated access to relief and recovery services, gathering local intelligence to inform tailored responses.
  • Drive social policy initiatives such as food access and community resilience programs in partnership with local networks
  • Fullfil designated emergency management responsibilities, including acting as the on-call Municipal Recovery Manager and assisting in Emergency Relief Centre operations. 
  • Facilitate access to relief and recovery services, gather and share local intelligence through recovery meetings, and maintain strong, cooperative communication with key stakeholders including state departments, local councils, community organisations, and businesses to progress coordinated actions across all pillars of recovery.
  • Use data, evaluation, and evidence to inform continuous improvement and strengthen recovery and resilience outcomes.

Skills and Experience 

You will thrive in this role if you are a natural collaborator who builds trust, strengthens networks, and works confidently across diverse community, government, and service sectors. You bring a strong community development lens and an ability to translate community needs and insights into practical, evidence based programs.

Ideal candidates will have:

  • Demonstrated experience in community development, partnerships, or place based collaboration, ideally within a local government or community services environment.
  • Experience in emergency recovery, community resilience, or social policy.
  • Ability to co design initiatives with community, applying inclusive and culturally safe engagement practices.
  • Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship building skills.
  • Experience coordinating or contributing to capacity building programs (training, sector development, resource sharing).
  • Ability to work proactively, manage competing priorities, and navigate complex situations with confidence and empathy.
  • A relevant qualification in social science or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.

Culture 

People enjoy working at the City of Port Phillip because we are a welcoming, healthy and inclusive workplace.  We offer a vibrant and diverse work environment where our employees can develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community. 

Benefits

  • We offer a workplace that accommodates your working style and needs. 
  • Be supported and empowered by a leadership team that is community-focused, with a strong desire for change and a culture that encourages teamwork and innovation.
  • Training and development opportunities, study assistance, flexible working conditions, paid parental leave, an active social club, a health and wellbeing program with access to fitness gyms, pools and facilities, and a well-regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations   

Pre-employment screening will apply to all appointments.  

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

  • Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences,
  • Sufficient proof of their right to work in Australia, and                                                       
  • Sufficient proof of their identity. 
  • Complete a National Police Check completed via City of Port Phillip’s Provider.
  • Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation). 

How to Apply

Click APPLY.

All applicants must provide a Resume and Cover Letter in response to the key selection criteria located on the last page of the position description. The Cover Letter should be no longer than 2 pages and include each heading in the Key Selection Criteria.

Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be provided feedback.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Christine Dening, Manager Community Building and Inclusion via email Christine.dening@portphillip.vic.gov.au 

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 12 April 2026.

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nation and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability.

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact Yass Mustafa (Recruitment and Employee Experience Advisor) on phone 0468 576 806 or email: recruitment@portphillip.vic.gov.au