Maribyrnong City Council

Community Services Directorate Management Team
High-Performing Team and Leadership Planning Program

OrganisationAL Profile

Maribyrnong City Council is a dynamic and diverse local government authority located in Melbourne’s inner west. Encompassing a rich cultural tapestry and a rapidly growing population, the City of Maribyrnong is known for its vibrant communities, strong civic spirit, and commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Council provides a wide range of essential services to its residents, including urban planning, infrastructure, community development, environmental management, and cultural engagement. With a strategic focus on equity, inclusion, and resilience, Maribyrnong City Council works to foster a thriving, connected, and liveable municipality that meets the evolving needs of its community.

As a values-driven organisation, Council is committed to excellence in governance, transparency, and community collaboration. Its workforce reflects the diversity of the community it serves and is united by a shared purpose to make a meaningful impact through responsive leadership and continuous improvement.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Community Directorate Management Team at Maribyrnong City Council partnered with the Australian Leadership Academy (ALA) to deliver a bespoke, longitudinal High-Performing Team and Leadership Planning Program. This initiative was designed to strengthen team cohesion, build leadership capability, and align strategic planning with cultural transformation.

Central to ALA’s approach was its signature agenda-setting process, which empowered managers to surface and prioritise their most pressing adaptive challenges. Key areas of focus included leading with personal responsibility, applying adaptive leadership principles, shaping a high-performing team culture, developing a shared team vision, conducting talent assessment and succession planning, and fostering a culture of constructive feedback.

The program provided a structured yet adaptive framework for leaders to collaborate more effectively, drive performance, and build a future-ready directorate aligned with the values and aspirations of the broader organisation.

The Australian Leadership Academy works in the round, navigating adaptive challenges, in real time.

directorate management team - Program Feedback

ALA’s leadership program was motivational and challenging?

100% strongly Agree

ALA’s program supported the needs
of the Directorate Management Team?

98% strongly Agree

The Directorate Management Team actively participated in the program?

100% strongly Agree

ALA’s leadership facilitator
was credible and effective?

100% strongly Agree

“i appreciated the fexible approach, following where the group takes us ”

Alix Massina
Manager, Libraries, Arts and Culture

To what extent would you recommend the Australian Leadership Academy?

97% highly recommend

Program outcomes

The leadership and high-performing team development program for the Community Directorate Management Team has fostered a shared commitment to cultural and behavioural excellence. The outcomes below reflect the team’s focus on embedding sustainable leadership practices and strengthening team cohesion.

Trust and Connection
A collective commitment to deeper trust across the team by challenging assumptions, fostering openness, and embracing vulnerability in leadership.
Embedding Feedback and Group Accountability
The team committed to a feedback-rich culture—actively giving and seeking feedback while holding themselves and each other accountable through regular conversations and structured peer check-ins,
Aligning to a Shared Vision
A united commitment to the collective team vision represents a shared pursuit of high standards, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Leading with Presence and Empathy
Team members pledged to lead with intention—demonstrating empathy, grounded presence, and decisiveness in support of colleagues and organisational outcomes.
Strengthening Communication
The team committed to direct communication, addressing issues early and respectfully to avoid misalignment and support a high-trust environment.

“excellent - incredible - fabulous”

Belinda Stewart
Manager, Community Services and Social Infrastructure Planning