Strategic Planning Lead

City of Gold Coast — Australia

Salary: AU$111k - AU$118k · Schedule: Part-Time · Work model: Hybrid

Skills: Communication, Leadership, Mentoring, Policy Development, Project Management, Regional planning

Job Description

  • Fixed term Full Time until October 2027- 9-Day Fortnight, 36 hours per week
  • Fixed term Part Time until June 2028 18 hours per week
  • Salary: $111, 401 to $117,924 plus Superannuation (pro-rated for part time)
  • Position Brief - Strategic Planning Lead

About the team:

Within the City Planning branch, the Strategic Urban and Regional Planning unit leads the future growth and strategic planning for one of Australia’s fastest growing cities.

The Regional Planning team is one of three teams in this unit and is known for its commitment to flexible work practices and delivering impactful strategic planning outcomes. This includes delivering comprehensive long-term planning at a citywide and regional scale with a focus on employment and housing, as well as the delivery of localised projects to ensure sustainable growth and community needs are met

Working on complex citywide and regional planning initiatives, the team leads the development of growth strategies, implementation plans and statutory planning frameworks that influence where people live, work and connect, while helping to balance growth, infrastructure, environmental values and community aspirations. Collaborating closely with internal stakeholders, State Government agencies and regional partners, the team helps shape planning outcomes that respond to growth pressures and emerging challenges while protecting and enhancing the Gold Coast's unique character, lifestyle and natural environment.

About the role:

We’re looking for experienced and motivated Strategic Planning Leads to join our Regional Planning team. With fixed-term, full-time and part-time positions available, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects while enjoying a flexible approach to work.

As a Strategic Planning Lead, you will play a key role in delivering strategic planning projects and initiatives that support the city's long-term growth and sustainability objectives. You will provide supervision, technical guidance and mentoring to planning staff, coordinate project delivery and contribute specialist planning expertise to a range of city planning projects.

As a highly experienced planning specialist, you will:

  • Lead the development and implementation of major strategic planning projects.
  • Provide technical leadership, mentoring and day-to-day guidance to team members.
  • Lead and manage community and stakeholder engagement activities.
  • Provide strategic planning expertise and input into the development of the new planning scheme.
  • Undertake research, analysis and policy development to inform land use planning and respond to State and regional planning initiatives.
  • Contribute to the implementation and review of long-term planning strategies.
  • Work collaboratively across teams and disciplines to deliver high-quality strategic planning outcomes.
  • Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills through the preparation of technical reports, briefing notes, presentations and stakeholder communications on complex planning matters.

About you:

You’re an experienced strategic planner who can bring together big-picture thinking, sound technical expertise and strong leadership skills.

You will have:

  • Extensive experience in developing and implementing growth management strategies including planning for population growth, housing supply and employment land.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex strategic planning projects from concept through to implementation.
  • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to interpret demographic, employment, housing and land use trends to inform growth management and city shaping decisions.
  • Strong knowledge of Queensland planning legislation, regional planning frameworks and contemporary growth management principles.
  • Demonstrated people leadership skills, including the ability to lead, mentor team members and foster positive and collaborative workplace environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to build relationships, collaborate effectively and manage diverse stakeholder interests.
  • Highly developed interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical matters to stakeholders, management, elected representatives and community audiences.
  • Proven project management, governance and budget management capabilities.
  • The ability to work strategically while managing competing priorities, complex issues and tight deadlines.
  • A Bachelor Degree in Urban, Regional or Town Planning, or equivalent knowledge and experience.

Be part of shaping the Gold Coast’s future

The Gold Coast is inspired by lifestyle and driven by opportunity. We are the second largest Council in Australia.

We care about being the most flexible government organisation in Australia. We have a range of benefits to help you create the right balance:

  • 9-day fortnight

  • Flexible work arrangements to suit your lifestyle, including hybrid/work from home options, flexible working hours and locations

  • Personal and professional development courses

  • Access to 350+ fitness facilities through Fitness Passport

  • 4 free confidential counselling sessions a year for you or an immediate family member

  • 1 free nutritionist and financial advice session per year

  • Free parking

We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community.

How to apply

To submit your application, please click apply now and complete the application form. You will be required to upload your resume and a cover letter (no more than two pages) outlining how your skills, experience and personal attributes will enable you to be successful in this role. Please note that you may also be asked to provide relevant qualifications, where applicable.

Contact Person: Wing Chiu

Contact Email: wchiu@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Closing Date: Tuesday 6th October 11:59pm AEDT

Our selection process may include a one-way video interview via Criteria, a face-to-face or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, reference checks via Xref and additional checks including police checks, employment history checks, qualification checks, pre-employment medical reviews and drug and alcohol testing.

We’re committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture. We take pride in people who align with our high-performance principles. We believe that the diverse makeup of our workforce reflects the community we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities, and encourage candidates to discuss any support or adjustments they may need throughout the recruitment process.

This listing was sourced from 4dayweek.io.

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