The City of Greater Bendigo chief executive job has been publicly advertised, with an external recruitment firm, Davidson, handling the application process.
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It is currently unclear how many candidates have applied or how long the recruitment process will take, however incumbent Craig Niemann’s contract expires in December.
City of Greater Bendigo councillors voted in favour of advertising the chief executive position at a private meeting in August.
Related: Councillors divided over top job
In its position description, Davidson recruitment describes key elements of the role, stating the successful candidate will “provide visionary leadership” and help “drive council's vision of creating the world's most liveable community by executing the community plan”.
“You will play a key leadership role at a regional level, advocating on behalf of the City of Greater Bendigo to enhance funding and support to this growing urban centre and its many small towns and villages,” the description reads.
“You will bring proven experience leading a large complex workforce delivering transparent and trusted advice to a council or a board.
“You will be calm under pressure, be innovative in your decision making and hold the future of the community at heart.”
Bendigo council had the option to reappoint Mr Niemann or advertise the role and declared its intention to do the latter in July, with mayor Margaret O’Rourke saying at the time “there’s no opinions of Craig, this is around the process”.
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Section 94 of the Local Government Act 1989 states a council may pass a resolution to reappoint a CEO in the six months prior to a person’s contract expiring.
Mr Niemann, who has spent close to 10 years at the helm of the city, was reappointed in 2012 without council advertising the role.
The top job at council is one of a number of leadership roles currently available in Bendigo, with former Be.Bendigo chief executive Leah Sertori resigning last month to take up an executive officer position at Community Leadership Loddon Murray.