Yesterday, the council appointed its finance and assurance group manager, Michael Day, as chief executive.
He will replace Clare Hadley, who has been in the role since 2018 and whose contract was due to end in March.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Mr Day (47) said he was feeling a mix of emotions.
"I am excited with the challenge, but there is a lot of emotion in relation to that [appointment].
"I have sympathy for my previous boss and I wish her well.
"But from my perspective I know it will be an exciting opportunity.
"I want to try to drive that organisation to its best — but I am also feeling a little bit of apprehension for what is next, what I need to do it," he said.
Mr Day began work at the Invercargill City Council in 2020 following 14 years at the Christchurch City Council, where he managed the logistical response during the Canterbury earthquakes and recovery.
He believed those experiences and having worked alongside Mrs Hadley in the past few years would help him in his new role, he said.
"I had a period covering her while she was away on trips or annual leave. I’ve been watching [her] for a while and I think I understand the key components of the role. But there is so much more."
Mr Day said his priority would be to help the council to deliver important projects for the community as well as ensure the right processes were in place throughout the organisation.
"I want to commit to the public what we will deliver. I want to show to the public that we are an organisation which will deliver on expectations.
"And also organise internal processes and reporting. I want to this organisation to be as clean ... as it can possibly be — from the inside out."
In recent years, the council has come under scrutiny after the Department of Internal Affairs raised concerns about governance.
Mr Day said he wanted to lift the confidence of ratepayers.
He said he wanted the community to look at the council and be able to say "they are doing the best for us and working effectively as an organisation".
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark was pleased with the appointment.
"This is an exciting time for any chief executive as Invercargill experiences major growth with our City Streets redevelopment, the Branxholme pipeline project, Project 1225 and significant economic development, and this was reflected in the high number of applicants we received for the role.
"This provides some challenges, but also some great opportunities.
"This role will help shape some of this exciting work and ensure Invercargill continues to forge ahead."
He said it was a "tough decision" for elected members to replace Mrs Hadley but acknowledged her work within the organisation.
A start date for the new chief executive had not yet been decided, but a transition period was expected, Mr Clark said.
