--- title: "Strengthening Council Through the Right Leadership" description: "Case Study Case Study Overview After a rigorous selection process Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) appointed OnTalent to lead the search for a new Chief Executive Officer following the departure of its long standing CEO. With a $703.6 million annual budget, $6.2 billion asset base, and a workforce of 1,700 across 13,000 km², this was a critical […]" featured_image: "https://www.ontalent.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Toowoomba-scaled.png" url: "https://www.ontalent.com.au/strengthening-council-through-the-right-leadership-appointment/" date_modified: "2025-07-14T11:08:39+10:00" --- ## Case Study # Strengthening Council Through the Right Leadership - [July 14, 2025](https://www.ontalent.com.au/2025/07/14/) **OnTalent** --- ![Toowoomba](https://www.ontalent.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Toowoomba-scaled.png) --- ## Case Study # Strengthening Council Through the Right Leadership ##### Overview After a rigorous selection process Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) appointed OnTalent to lead the search for a new Chief Executive Officer following the departure of its long standing CEO. With a $703.6 million annual budget, $6.2 billion asset base, and a workforce of 1,700 across 13,000 km², this was a critical and high profile appointment. The process needed to inspire confidence among elected oficials, align with the Council’s 2024–2029 Corporate Plan, and deliver a CEO ready to lead into the future. ##### Objectives - Appoint an interim CEO to maintain Council operations during the permanent CEO - Deliver a transparent, fair, and robust recruitment process - Define the ideal leadership profile in line with Council strategy - Attract a field of high calibre executives - Uphold best practice probity and governance - Secure a CEO equipped to drive transformation, build trust, and strengthen sustainability ##### Approach **Utilise OnTalent Networks** Leveraged OnTalent’s established networks to deliver a short term CEO solution, allowing Council the time and support needed to shape a long term recruitment strategy aligned with Toowoomba’s future direction. **Stakeholder Consultation and Profiling** Held in-depth one-on-one interviews and a facilitated workshop with the Mayor, Councillors, and Executive Team to align expectations. This work helped shape a clear leadership profile and cultural brief as well as set parameters for decision making. **Targeted Attraction Strategy** - Our national campaign included: - Advertising across SEEK, LinkedIn, Australian Local Government Job Directory, dynamic print advertising in the Weekend Australian, Australian Financial Review and select regional publications - A custom microsite highlighting the region and opportunity - Targeted executive search backed with extensive research, complemented by the lead OnTalent consultant utilising their national networks and OnTalent’s proprietary database - Direct outreach to passive and active talent **Interview Process** Round 1: Behavioural and motivational interviews – Panel included all eleven Councillors. Round 2: Scenario presentation focusing on financial and cultural transformation – Panel included all members of Council Checks: Psychometric assessments and full probity checks completed on shortlisted candidates plus 360 degree reference checks. ##### Outcomes **61** Applications Received **30** Screened & Reviewed **21** Longlist & Evaluated **12** Interviewed by OnTalent **5** High Calibre Candidates Shortlisted ##### **What Made it Successful** **Collaborative Process:** Ongoing engagement with Council ensured trust, clarity, and shared understanding at every stage. **Thorough Evaluation:** Layered assessment process enabled robust decision-making grounded in data and performance evidence. **Candidate Experience:** All candidates were kept informed, briefed, and provided with meaningful feedback. Internal candidates received coaching and post-process support. **Confident Appointment:** The selected candidate brought proven leadership across local, state, and federal government, with deep local knowledge and a strong track record of delivery. The appointment received full support from Council. ##### **Conclusion** This project demonstrates OnTalent’s ability to lead complex executive searches in the public sector. With a structured, consultative, and transparent approach, we helped Toowoomba Regional Council appoint a CEO who is well-positioned to deliver on strategic goals and community expectations. ##### Testimonial *“**Tash and the On Talent team worked alongside Councillors to ensure we gave ourselves the best chance of a **successful result. Councillors understood the gravity of the task, and needed confidence in the process. Tash provided **this confidence and expertise.” **Cr Geoff McDonald JP Qual, Mayor Toowoomba*** [Previous: From Resignation to Resolution in Two Weeks](https://www.ontalent.com.au/from-resignation-to-resolution-in-two-weeks/) [Next: OnTalent Insights August 2025 – Beyond Recruitment](https://www.ontalent.com.au/ontalent-insights-beyond-recruitment/) --- ### Stay Connected ## More Updates - [A Consulting Led Approach to Executive Recruitment – Health](https://www.ontalent.com.au/a-consulting-led-approach-to-executive-recruitment-health/) — Case Study Case Study Overview An established OnTalent client, Brisbane Youth Services (BYS) engaged us to identify a Clinical Services Director to lead its youth focused health service, supporting young people living outside the system with limited access to mainstream healthcare. 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