THE City of Wyndham is expected to have a new chief executive officer by August.

The council finally advertised the position last week, after seven months plagued with uncertainty.

Star has been told a special panel including mayor Heather Marcus, deputy mayor Kim McAliney and councillor Shane Bourke will form part of an independent board that will elect the new CEO.

The highly-paid contract will be for up to five years.

Former CEO Peter Marshall was believed to have received a $300,000 payout when he was sensationally sacked in August.

In an unprecedented move, councillors terminated his tenure only 14 months into his contract.

Mr Marshall’s $1.6 million salary over five years was one of the highest CEO’s pay cheques in the state. His departure followed months of angst from the community over their high rates to accommodate the cost of growth.

Former mayor Shane Bourke cited at the time that an unworkable relationship between the council and the CEO forced the axing. It also led to the resignation of the corporate services director Peter Gould.

The council’s community development director Bernie Cronin was unanimously elected to the position of acting CEO.

The new top chief will have a tough role overseeing the largest and fasting growing municipality in Victoria.

The selection criteria states the CEO has to provide strategic advice to council staff, make policy decisions, manage the budget expenditure and oversee the controversial 10-year financial plan.

Applications close at 12pm next Monday.