Waikato District Council has hired top executive search company, Sheffield’s, to search for a Chief Executive Officer.
An advertisement published in Sunday newspapers and online says that preferred candidates should be progressive, energetic and highly influential in style. They will have open, engaging and collaborative leadership qualities (though not necessarily within the local government sector), well developed political and intellectual acuity, and a track record of delivering impressive results. Knowledge of issues related to public infrastructure, governance and community engagement will also be important for success in this role.
The new appointee will have a challenging role as the advert says the Waikato District Council is committed to forging a district that is New Zealand’s most engaged community by 2020.
We asked WDC about the background to the search for a CEO and whether the current CEO Mr Gavin Ion was retiring. a spokesperson said, “The advert is a legislative requirement that councils re-advertise their Chief Executive roles at least once every seven years.”