Brisbane City Council
is now recruiting for
Executive Manager, City Licences and Permits
Applications close midnight, Sunday 12 July 2026
About the Role
Executive Manager, City Licences and Permits
Please check back for the Position Description for this role.
The Executive Manager, City Licences and Permits, leads the establishment and operation of a new centralised branch responsible for all licence, permit and application functions across Council. The branch delivers a single point of entry for customers seeking permission‑based activities, supported by streamlined workflows, consistent assessment practices and modern digital tools. The Executive Manager will play a key role in the transition from distributed processing and assessment to a centralised operating model, which reduces duplication, improves transparency, and strengthens regulatory consistency. The Executive Manager ensures customer experience, regulatory integrity and community value remain at the centre of design and delivery, while partnering across Council to access specialist technical expertise.
To be successful in this role, you will be driving and championing a continuous improvement and service excellence agenda, working collaboratively to deliver value to our city.
Specifically, the Executive Manager will model, lead and deliver initiatives which further:
collaboration, innovation and high performance to deliver exceptional customer services to the people of Brisbane
an organisation which directs resources to organisational priorities, including frontline delivery
systems and technology which support our business and our customer focus direction
simplified processes to deliver effective value for money services
performance excellence and a values-based culture in line with Council’s Leadership Blueprint.
Key Accountabilities
Lead the establishment of a centralised licences and permits branch that delivers a consistent, customer focused experience across all voluntary sought, permission-based approvals.
Direct the consolidation of disparate processes, policies, and assessment standards into a single coherent framework that reduces duplication and increases regulatory consistency. Oversee delivery of a one stop digital portal enabling self-service applications, digital payments, transparent status tracking and integrated case management.
Partner with technical experts across Council to ensure specialised advice is integrated into assessment workflows while maintaining clear accountability for decisions within the branch. Drive the adoption of data, analytics and emerging AI capabilities to improve decision quality, automate routine processes and enhance operational efficiency.
Strengthen regulatory governance by embedding clear decision pathways, quality assurance, audit cycles and risk management processes aligned with statutory obligations and Council’s integrated governance framework.
Lead change management and workforce uplift to build a capable, adaptable and customer-focused team supporting new ways of working. Promote innovation and continuous improvement, using customer insights and performance data to optimise service delivery and remove friction points.
Foster strong internal and external relationships to align processes, clarify regulatory expectations and support shared outcomes across industry and community.
Ensure transparent and accessible communication with customers, improving certainty, timeliness and clarity in decision making.
Contribute to Council’s executive leadership, aligning branch activities to corporate priorities, strategic direction and the Brisbane Vision 2031.
Maintain compliance with all relevant legislation, local laws, and corporate governance requirements, ensuring decisions are defensible and procedurally fair. Represent the branch in enterprise-level planning, risk, digital transformation and corporate governance forums.
What Success Looks Like
Within the context of the responsibilities described previously, the ideal applicant will be someone who has:
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Experience leading regulatory environments with complex statutory obligations and multiple technical advisory inputs.
Experience working as part of or implementing centralised operating models, including end‑to‑end workflow design, quality assurance and consistent regulatory practice.
Background in digital service transformation, including case management systems, customer portals, and data‑driven operational improvement.
Experience leading transformation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance the delivery, sustainability and community satisfaction.
Strong communication and relationship management with proven ability to build and maintain effective partnerships
Demonstrated ability in ensuring governance in high risk, high accountability settings
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Demonstrated capability, knowledge, experience and achievements in:
Leading organisational performance to deliver coordinated, responsive, and customer-focused outcomes.
Inclusive and people-focused leadership style in line with Council’s Leadership Blueprint, with demonstrated success in building high-performing, values-led teams and positive workplace cultures.
Being able to successfully work with elected representatives to deliver on their vision and accept their guidance.
Maintaining and developing relationships across organisational boundaries to drive consistent and seamless delivery and the direction of resources to corporate priorities
Communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management, with the ability to collaborate and influence across government, industry and community.
Managing complex and contentious issues with high sensitivity and competing stakeholder interests
Leading thinking about initiatives to create public value.
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Demonstrated capability, knowledge, experience and achievements in:
Financial and risk management with experience overseeing operational budgets, regulatory compliance and governance in high risk, high accountability settings.
Developing an engaged, productive, and customer-focused workforce.
Delivering systems and processes which deliver value to the organisation and to the customer.
Planning the resourcing of services with appropriate risk management to meet demand within budget.
Building new collaborative models with suppliers and program partners to improve public value.
Demonstrating a focus on shared outcomes, negotiating budget and resources across the organisation, and submitting joint budget proposals.
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Demonstrated ability to undertake broad executive leadership beyond the specific requirements of the position, across the organisation, including the ability to:
Collaborate and share accountability across organisational boundaries
Participate in strategic decision making; represent Brisbane City Council to the community, other levels of Government and to industry.
Own and champion corporate values, strategies, policy, and directions, particularly: Council values and behaviours, Code of Conduct, workplace justice, diversity and inclusion, Zero Harm and flexible work arrangements.
Understand governance frameworks, statutory and regulatory compliance, including legislation relevant to local government operations particularly the City of Brisbane Act 2010 and associated regulations, Council Ordinances and Local Laws
Champion the strategic corporate management agendas on issues such as customer service, service delivery, change management and people management, and integrate these principles into the operation of the business.
During disaster events, be available to perform the role of Incident Controller within the Local Disaster Coordination Centre to provide leadership and implement strategic directions from the Local Disaster Management Group.
Essential at recruitment requirements:
Due to the requirements of this role criminal history and business history checks will be undertaken on preferred applicants. A criminal history does not necessarily preclude an applicant from appointment.
Desirable role-specific requirements:
Relevant tertiary qualifications in public administration, regulatory practice, business, planning, law or related fields, or equivalent experience.
How to Apply
Brisbane City Council are committed to inclusive and diverse practices, including recruitment and selection which ensures people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, women, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equal opportunity to apply and participate.
Candidates who represent diverse backgrounds are encouraged to submit an application.
To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:
A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on how you align with the core accountabilities outlined in the role statement below.
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.
If you need assistance with your application please reach out to us.
Applications close midnight, Sunday 12 July 2026
Confidential Enquiries
KERRY LARKIN
Senior Associate
JANE ELLIS
Managing Partner