Your Opportunity
Are you passionate about planning the strategic development of the Southern Downs Region's economy? This job could be for you!
In this role as a Senior Economic Development Officer, you will drive strategic economic growth across the Southern Downs by identifying and advancing high-impact investment, partnership opportunities and industry development. You will also lead complex projects and fund initiatives that will stimulate business expansion, attract external investment and strengthen the region's economic resilience, while also providing expert advice to senior management and directly engage with senior representatives from Government and the Private Sector.
Term: Permanent, Full-time
Hours of Work: 72.5 hours per fortnight
Pay Level: $4,127.83 to $4,359.89 per fortnight (Level 7), plus 12% superannuation and 17.5% annual leave loading
In accordance with Council's Enterprise Agreement and the relevant Award. Pay rate dependant on relevant skills and experience.
Employment Base: Warwick or Stanthorpe, Queensland (will be negotiated with successful candidate)
Applications Close: 11:59pm Tuesday, 20th January 2026
About the Department
The Strategy, Growth and Stakeholder Engagement Department works collaboratively with industry, business groups and the broader community to support long term prosperity for the Southern Downs region. It is a multi-disciplinary Department that includes research and advocacy, community engagement, economic development, grant acquisition, communication and marketing, and festivals and eventsworks collaboratively with industry, business groups and the broader community to support long term prosperity for the Southern Downs region. It is a multi-disciplinary Department that includes research and advocacy, community engagement, economic development, grant acquisition, communication and marketing, and festivals and events.
What You Will Do
For full details of this position, please ensure you download the Position Description below.
(Note: For applicants viewing this job vacancy through SEEK.com, you will be able to access the Position Description by clicking on the "Apply" button, or by visiting the job advertisement on our website at www.https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/careers-at-council/current-job-vacancies).
The complete Key Responsibilities of this role can be found in the Position Description. These include (but are not limited to):
- Contribute to the implementation and on-going review and refinement of the region's economic development strategy;
- Support Private Sector and industry with grant submissions through provisions of data, research and letters of support;
- Develop compelling funding submissions and manage end-to-end delivery of major projects/events and grants that deliver tangible economic benefits for the community; and
- Provide expert economic and industry advice to executive leadership to inform decision-making and policy development.
What You Will Need
To be considered for this role, you will need:
- The legal right to live and work in Australia
- MANADATORY POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Preparedness to work flexible hours outside the scope of normal business hours (early mornings, evenings and/or Saturday).
- REQUIRED LICENCES & QUALIFICATIONS
- A person in this position will need to hold tertiary qualifications in economic development, business, commerce, public policy, or a related field; or be able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience, expertise and competence sufficient to perform the duties required at this level;
- A Class C (car) licence or greater is required in this role; and
- A Blue Card (Working with Children) or the ability to obtain this card is also required.
- Demonstrated ability to identify economic opportunities, develop strategic responses, and deliver measurable outcomes aligned with regional economic goals
- Proven significant relevant experience which enables the incumbent to lead and implement complex economic development or investment attraction initiatives within a Local Government con text
- Advanced computer literacy with the ability to use data, research and digital tools to support decision-making and economic analysis
- To be able to demonstrate your competence in relation to all of the Selection Criteria as detailed in the Position Description.
What We Offer
At Southern Downs Regional Council, we know that that our people are our strength. With this front of mind, we provide a wide range of benefits and a holistic approach to supporting our employees, including:
- Competitive wages, conditions and allowances
- Salary packaging and remote area benefits available, which can significantly increase tax savings and take-home pay
- Discounted corporate health insurance plans
- Improved work-life balance opportunities, such as a 9-day work fortnight and consideration of other flexible work options
- Generous leave provisions including Special Family Leave, Cultural Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading
- Access to a wide range of health and wellness initiatives, including free, skin checks, flu vaccinations and wellness medicals, and discounted gym memberships
- Employee Assistance Program for staff and their families (24/7 access). This service includes counselling, financial coaching, nutritional support and legal referrals, as well as access to specialised wellbeing support for LGBTIQA+ individuals, First Nations people, and individuals experiencing domestic and family violence through dedicated helpline
- Opportunities for on and off the job personal and professional development (study assistance available in accordance with policy)
To view comprehensive details of our employee value offering, please click HERE. (Note when viewing this job vacancy through SEEK.com - you will be able to access this link once by clicking on the "Apply" button, or by visiting the job advertisement on our website at www.https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/careers-at-council/current-job-vacancies)
Further Information
For further information about this role and working for Southern Downs Regional Council, please refer to the documents below:
(Note when viewing this job vacancy on SEEK.com - the links to information below will only be available once you click on the "Apply" button. Alternatively, you can access them via the job advertisement on our website at https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/careers-at-council/current-job-vacancies).
If you have any additional enquiries in relation to this position, please contact Sonja Johnson, Director Strategy, Growth and Stakeholder Engagement on 1300 697 372.
Apply Now!
At SDRC, we believe that diversity enriches our workplace, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes. We welcome applications from qualified people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and abilities, who have applicable working rights in Australia.
To apply for this opportunity, you will be asked to complete an online application form and provide:
- A short-written response (maximum 1-2 pages, dot points acceptable) on how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to achieve the key responsibilities and meet the selection criteria of this role (as outlined in the Position Description); and
- Your current CV or Resume.
When you are ready to begin your application, please click on the "Apply" button below to be taken to our online application portal. Please ensure you provide all of the information requested and that your application is lodged by the closing date (as shown above). Should you have any difficulty lodging your application online, please contact our People & Culture Team on ph. 1300 697 372 for assistance.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Southern Downs Regional Council – A Great Place to Work
What we do at SDRC is more than just a job to us. Whether it’s maintaining our clean water supply, keeping our parks and gardens beautiful, servicing our plant and vehicles, providing contemporary library services, responding to natural disasters or showcasing our region’s immense natural beauty and economic strength, every Council employee strives to make a real difference for our local community.
Few employers combine so many diverse disciplines (e.g. engineers, childcare workers, trades such as mechanics and plumbers, safety specialists, project managers, plant operators, finance experts, IT specialists and urban planners to name a few) in one organisation. At SDRC, we work together towards the same goal. By integrating a multi-disciplined workplace with collective ideas and skillsets, we provide unique opportunities for our people to develop and grow within their chosen career.
We are passionate about aligning business, community and government to achieve social, economic and environmental outcomes. We believe this is best realised when people are invested in the long-term outcomes of where they live and work. If this sounds like you too, then working in local government at SDRC may be right for you.
