City of Melbourne to appoint a chief digital officer

The City of Melbourne council is on the lookout for a chief digital officer who will head up its new ‘Smart City’ office.

Melbourne is creating the new research and innovation hub by bringing together its existing lab, digital and geographic information systems functions into a single entity working under the leadership of the CDO appointment.

It is looking to establish new partnerships with “knowledge industries” and local universities to devise new and modern ways to increase the livability and economic productivity of the city.

The resulting Smart City Office will “prepare the city for a future where 'smart' infrastructure offers more effective and efficient ways of delivering the city's services”, acording to the council.

It will focus on open data initiatives and is set to be organised using agile delivery methods, the job ad states.

The ideal candidate will have “a strong understanding of the intersection between cities, technology, liveability and the knowledge economy, and a track record of leading practical delivery of innovative solutions”.

The council has already ramped up its digital credentials this year with Ben Rimmer taking up office as its CEO in February. Rimmer joined from the Commonwealth Department of Human Services, where he headed up the public sector giant’s digital service delivery transformation.

In May, Melbourne was picked as one of 16 cities that would benefit from IBM’s pro bono ‘smart cities challenge, which will see six consultants sent to the Victorian capital to help them analyse data and devise ways to capitalise on the insights.