Operations Manager (Based in Wadeye, NT)

About West Daly Regional Council

West Daly Regional Council spans 14,000 km² across the remote communities of Wadeye, Peppimenarti and Nganmarriyanga, located 300–420 km south‑west of Darwin.

We deliver essential local government services that support safe, respectful and healthy communities. Guided by our mission to walk alongside culture, country and people, we work together to maintain infrastructure, provide services and create meaningful employment across the region.

Position Summary:

The Operations Manager will be responsible for managing the day-to-day and long-term operations of Council services within the Wadeye community. The position oversees the planning, coordination, and delivery of a broad range of Council services, including workshop operations, the swimming pool, postal services, administration, and trade-based functions. Working closely with the community and key stakeholders, the Operations Manager ensures that services are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard, while aligning with local needs, Council priorities, and objectives.

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

Team Leadership and Organisational Development

• Lead, mentor and manage a multi-disciplinary team, including the Trades & Electrical Services Coordinator, Workshop Manager, Post Office Coordinator, Bus Driver and Aquatic Coordinator, fostering a high-performance culture aligned with Council's strategic goals.
• Ensure employees are appropriately trained, supervised, and equipped to perform their roles safely and effectively.
• Manage workforce planning, leave, recruitment, and succession planning across operational services.

Financial and Resource Management

• Develop and manage operational budgets across multiple service areas, ensuring services are delivered efficiently and within budget.
• Responsible for the allocation of resources, plant, equipment and assets used in the delivery of operational services.
• Monitor resource allocation and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.

Compliance, Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, operational guidelines and relevant legislation across all service areas.
• Provide accurate and timely reports on service delivery progress, issues and risk mitigation to the Director of Service Delivery and Senior Leadership Team.
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with contractors, government departments and community organisations relevant to Council's operations.

Trades Services

• Lead the delivery of Council's trades services, including electrical, carpentry, plumbing and electrical works, ensuring works are completed safely and to a high standard of quality.
• Oversee the Trades & Electrical Services Coordinator and trade staff, including scheduling, resourcing and performance management.

Workshop Operations

• Oversee the efficient operation of Council's Workshop facilities, ensuring vehicles, plant, and equipment are maintained to high safety and service standards.
• Manage workshop staffing, budgets, compliance, and reporting to support reliable and cost-effective service delivery.

Contract Management (Pool & Post Office)

• Lead the management of Council's Pool & Post Office contracts, ensuring compliance with service standards, funding agreements, and legislative obligations.
• Monitor contractor performance, budgets, and reporting, ensuring outcomes meet Council and community expectations.

Community Transport

• Oversee the delivery of Council's bus and community transport services, including disability transport, ensuring services are safe, reliable and responsive to community needs.
• Manage rostering, vehicle maintenance scheduling and compliance for the transport fleet in coordination with Workshop Operations.

Other Duties as Required

• The role may be required to perform other duties as necessary to support the operational needs of Council.

To be successful in the role, you will have:

• Trade level qualification equivalent to Certificate III or above and/or 5 or more years of relevant experience in a similar operational management role.
• Extensive experience managing budgets across multiple service areas.
• Proven ability to manage plant, equipment and assets used in service delivery, including maintenance scheduling and contractor management.
• High level communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders across all levels.
• A current NT Driver Licence.
• A current National Criminal History Check.
• A current Working with Children (OCHRE) Card.

Why Join Our Growing Team?

• Competitive salary: $124,676–$137,917 per annum based on experience and qualifications + 12% Superannuation
• Locality allowance of $3,000 per year
• Subsidised housing available in Wadeye
• Relocation assistance up to $5,000
• 6 weeks paid annual leave
• Additional NAIDOC Day public holiday
• Employee Assistance Program
• Permanent, full‑time local government employment
• Meaningful work supporting remote Indigenous communities
• Supportive team culture with long‑term career opportunities
• Excellent work/life balance giving you the opportunity to explore this iconic region and much more!

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

Important Information

• Applicants must have the right to work in Australia
• Pre‑employment checks include criminal history, right‑to‑work, qualification and licence verification
• Applications assessed as received
• Position open until filled

How to Apply:

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