Kiama Council has announced the outcome of its recruitment campaign for people to lead its new organisational structure.

“We received many impressive applications and following a robust and comprehensive screening and interview process, I’m pleased to announce a team well-placed to lead our workforce and set our business up for success,” says CEO Jane Stroud.

Joe Gaudiosi has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer, a role he has been acting in for some time. He has also been acting as the interim Chief Financial Officer, and the CFO role has now been filled by Olena Tulubinska, who has experience as CFO at Shoalhaven and Parramatta councils.

Joe Gaudiosi

The Chief Operating Officer role will entail:

• Finance
• Customer, Information & Technology Services
• Human Resources, Risk, IP&R and Governance
• Project Management Office.

Jessica Rippon (above), Council’s Director Environmental Services since 2020, has been appointed Director Planning, Environment and Communities. Her new role has responsibility for:

• Planning and Economic Development
• Culture and Libraries
• Community Hubs, including the Leisure Centre
• Environmental and Compliance Services.

The position of Director Infrastructure and Liveability will be filled by Michael Malone, a Kiama resident with more than 20 years’ local government experience, most recently as Director Infrastructure and Environment at Wollondilly Shire Council. He will begin in the role next week.

Michael Malone

The new role will cover:

• Engineering & Technical Services
• Waste Services
• Operations and Maintenance
• Property and Recreation including Holiday Parks.

Ms Stroud has paid tribute to the outgoing Director Engineering & Works, Mike Dowd, who is leaving Council, saying, “Mike has exemplified the commitment to and shared vision for a stronger and agile Kiama Council to support our community today, tomorrow, and for the long term future.”

She noted some of his achievements at Council during a challenging time included leading annual review, redevelopment and delivery of Council’s adopted infrastructure and asset management programs; reviewing the compliance of Council operations, including the Holiday Parks; and leading extensive natural disaster recovery work.

Further key management roles appointments are expected to be made later this month, including:

• Manager Engineering and Technical
• Manager Planning and Economic Development
• Manager Property and Recreation.