
Conducting an Executive Search for a Manager Maternal and Child Health to lead the service into it’s next phase of development at a Victorian Local Council

The Brief
Following the successful completion of the interim engagement, the Vicorian Local Council sought to appoint a permanent Manager, Maternal Child Health to lead the service into its next phase of development.
The Council required a leader with deep clinical expertise, proven operational management capability, and a contemporary approach to team leadership. The objective was to continue strengthening service delivery, enhance workforce engagement, and embed the improvements initiated during the interim period.
Future Leadership was engaged to manage the national search and selection process, ensuring a competitive field of qualified candidates from both local government and community health sectors.
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.
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
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 conducted a comprehensive recruitment process involving a combination of targeted search and public advertising.
A total of eight candidates were shortlisted, seven external candidates and one internal – reflecting the breadth and quality of the talent pool.
The process included structured interviews, leadership capability assessments, and stakeholder engagement to ensure alignment with Council’s organisational values and community priorities.
The preferred candidate demonstrated strong clinical governance, workforce leadership, and an evidence-based approach to service management.
Top 5 Capabilities
Stakeholder Relations
Built trust and alignment across a large leadership cohort during a sensitive transformation.
Strategy and Purpose
Enabled clarity around the Target Operating Model and its strategic implications.
Adaptability and Resilience
Navigated a high-pressure environment with composure and focus.
Communication and Influence
Fostered honest dialogue and shared understanding of priorities.
Organisational Capability
Prepared the division for long-term reform through structured planning and leadership development.
The Outcome
The successful candidate was appointed in late 2023, providing ongoing strategic and operational leadership to the service.
Her appointment ensured a seamless transition from interim to permanent leadership, maintaining momentum across key initiatives while bringing renewed focus to workforce planning and service quality.
The combined interim and permanent processes delivered by Future Leadership Interim Executive (formerly Gig Executive) provided the Council with both short-term continuity and long-term capability, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for local families.