Baw Baw Shire's chief executive officer Mark Dupe has resigned after almost five years in the top job.
Mr Dupe will finish on Christmas eve.
Baw Baw Shire will appoint an interim chief executive officer in the near future.
Mr Dupe said he was not seeking further full-time chief executive officer roles and would begin a new phase of his working life in a new location.
Having began in the role in March 2020, Mr Dupe said it had been an honour to lead the organisation and thanked staff and the community for their support.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss described Mr Dupe as an "inspirational and effective leader."
"He has advocated strongly for this community with significant success," Cr Goss said. "He has helped council lay the groundwork for many exciting long term and significantly important projects and strategies. He can be proud of his work here with us."
Wishing Mr Dupe and his family all the best for the future, Cr Goss said councillors would discuss the recruitment process for a new chief executive officer in "due course".