Delivering an Interim Executive Solution to Rebuild Economic Development Capability for a Regional Victorian Council
The Brief
Future Leadership™ was engaged by a regional local government in Victoria, currently under the direction of Administrators, to appoint an interim Economic Development Lead.
The Council had experienced a particularly challenging period and was in a state of organisational rebuild, with a strong focus on reestablishing trust with the community. Economic development was identified as a critical conduit for restoring confidence, particularly among the business community. The interim leader was tasked with drafting strategy, conducting reviews, and engaging directly with local businesses to uplift capability and deliver tangible progress in this key area.
Candidate net Promote Score
Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.
Candidates supported every year
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
Senior Women Appointed since 2002
Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.
Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002
Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!
The Process
Future Leadership™ undertook a comprehensive search process tailored to the Council’s strategic and operational needs.
Key steps included:
Briefing and Strategy Development
Engaged with the senior Council stakeholders to understand the role’s strategic and operational needs.
Targeted Candidate Search
Leveraged both the immediately available talent pool and referral networks to identify hidden talent with relevant experience
Candidate Engagement
Positioned the opportunity as a chance to contribute to the rebuild of a Regional Council and shape it’s future economic experience.
Flexibility in Approach
Maintained adaptability around location, availability, and remuneration to ensure alignment with regional constraints and candidate expectations.
Emerging Capabilities
Stakeholder Relations
Ability to build trust and influence across council, community, business, and government stakeholders.
Strategy and Purpose
Skilled in aligning economic development initiatives with long-term strategic goals and community priorities.
Governance and Compliance
Understands regulatory frameworks and ensures economic programs meet public sector standards and accountability.
Innovation and Creativity
Able to identify new opportunities for local economic growth and apply creative approaches to policy and program design.
Communication and Influence
Effectively communicates complex ideas and gains buy-in from diverse audiences, including elected officials and community leaders.
The Outcome
The process resulted in a shortlist of candidates with strong economic development credentials and a demonstrated ability to build consensus and community engagement. The successful appointee, a former Director with regional affiliation, delivered outcomes that exceeded the original brief. Their work accelerated the Council’s recovery efforts, leading to a shortened interim term due to the quality and impact of delivery. Future Leadership’s approach—grounded in early stakeholder engagement and clarity around short, medium, and long-term success—enabled confident and authoritative representation to the talent market.
