City of Greater Geelong executive Robyn Stevens will relocate to NSW to take up a new role leading Shoalhaven City Council.

Ms Stevens starts work as CEO on February 12 after more than 20 years of local government experience including 15 years in leadership and management roles at councils in Victoria.

Since 2018, Ms Stevens managed more than 1,700 peoples as Executive Director Community Service Delivery at Geelong where she was accountable for strategy and policy around services, projects and assets.  

Prior to that, she held the position of Manger Aged and Family at Surf Coast Shire.

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said Ms Stevens brings to the role a diversity of skills in project delivery, positive leadership and community outcomes.

“We look forward to welcoming Ms Stevens to the Shoalhaven as someone who has a strong community focus and proven experience in inspiring positive and productive change in a local government context,” Cr Findley said.

“It was unanimous amongst the selection panel of Councillors that Ms Stevens had the resilience, integrity and critical thinking skills necessary to lead the organisation through some of the challenging times ahead,” she said.

Ms Stevens said she was excited about her new position at Geelong at a time of challenges and change.

“The city is going through a transformational phase of growth while still recovering from a number of natural disasters caused by extreme weather events during the last few years,” she said.

“I look forward to working with the community, the Council and the organisation to plan for how we meet the community’s vision for the city and continue to rise to these challenges in the immediate future.”

She replaces outgoing CEO Stephen Dunshea, who announced his retirement in September 2023 and will officially finish with the organisation on February 9.