Shire ceo resigns
Baw Baw Shire chief executive officer Alison Leighton has resigned, half way through her five year contract.
Ms Leighton is leaving to join Melbourne City Council as general manager - strategy, planning and climate change, a position she said was a once in a lifetime career opportunity.
She began with the organisation in August 2017, coming to Baw Baw from Mornington Shire Council. She was appointed on a five-year contract.
Baw Baw Shire chief executive officer Alison Leighton has resigned, half way through her five year contract.
Ms Leighton is leaving to join Melbourne City Council as general manager - strategy, planning and climate change, a position she said was a once in a lifetime career opportunity.
She began with the organisation in August 2017, coming to Baw Baw from Mornington Shire Council. She was appointed on a fiveyear contract.
Mayor Danny Goss said in her time at Baw Baw, Ms Leighton was dedicated and committed to improving the organisation’s culture, which resulted in a significant improvement in staff engagement levels and reducing staff turnover.
He said she had also transformed and increased customer service levels and responsiveness to residents’ enquiries.
Cr Goss said her tireless work in advocating to both state and federal governments had put Baw Baw Shire on the map.
Ms Leighton will finish on March 13.
She said she was leaving with a “heavy heart.” “I have so much respect for our council and so much appreciation for the trust they have placed in me. I am proud of the executive team, the staff and what we have created, and I truly believe that Baw Baw Shire Council is going from strength to strength – internally and externally,” she said.
Ms Leighton said the position at Melbourne City Council was a “once in a lifetime career opportunity that aligns with my passion for working and contributing to global initiatives”
“It will involve many new challenges including international travel to other global cities and participation in world economic forums and United Nations initiatives,” she said. Cr Goss said it was the job of a lifetime.
“It’s understandable that she was approached and that she has accepted. I know that she is very disappointed to be leaving Baw Baw Shire Council. I also note that this is not a move to a CEO position with another council. This is much more than that,” he said.
Cr Goss said council would appoint an acting CEO and then move through the process of appointing a new CEO.
“We will now go about finding a CEO who can build on all the good work that has been done and to continue the transformation of this council,” he said.