Sutherland Shire Council has its first woman chief administrator.
Manjeet Grewal was appointed chief executive officer following a confidential meeting of councillors on Monday night.
Ms Grewal, who has filled a range of management roles at the council over more than 20 years, has been acting general manager since the departure of Scott Phillips in October last year.
Mr Phillips was previously the general manager of Hornsby Shire Council, but resigned after three years in Sutherland Shire to move overseas for personal reasons.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the council had decided to change the title of the position from general manager to chief executive officer "to align with current executive models and reflect the commitment to being a progressive organisation".
Cr Pesce said Ms Grewal was an exceptional candidate, and her appointment was unanimously endorsed by councillors following a very competitive selection process involving a high-calibre field of more than 20 candidates from across Australia.
"Manjeet brings extensive senior management experience in the local government sector and highly impressed all councillors with her collaborative leadership style, her obvious passion for local government and her commitment to serving the Sutherland Shire community," he said.
"She brings a strong knowledge of Sutherland Shire and is the ideal person to lead council and use her wealth of experience to take the organisation forward.
"I look forward to continuing to work with Manjeet to deliver for our community and congratulate her on being the first female to be appointed as head of Sutherland Shire Council."
Ms Grewal has been a member of the Senior Executive Team since 2016 as Director Shire Services.
She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Master of Operations Management from the University of Wollongong, a Bachelor of Commerce also from the University of Wollongong and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) from the University of New South Wales.
Ms Grewal said she was honoured to have been appointed to the role.
"I want to acknowledge and express my sincere gratitude for the trust placed in me by the mayor and councillors," she said.
"With the support of a very talented executive team and our dedicated staff, I look forward to leading this impressive organisation and continuing to work serving the residents of the Sutherland Shire.
"Our council is part of the wider Sutherland Shire community and I am very excited about what the future will bring in working together in the interests of our community."
Ms Grewal will commence her new role on April 1.
