Synopsis
Executive leadership at the centre of planning reform and city shaping outcomes.
Build and lead a high performing statutory planning team & deliver impact through Council Plan + M2050 Vision.
Executive contract | $195K - $220K TRP | negotiable based on experience.
About the Role
The City of Melbourne is seeking an accomplished statutory planning executive to lead the Statutory Planning function through a period of reform, growth and system change. As Head of Statutory Planning you will operate as a senior enterprise leader, contribute to whole‐of‐organisation strategy and work closely with State Government, industry and the community to deliver better planning outcomes for Melbourne. The role holds decision‐making delegations under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and represents the City of Melbourne in high‐profile local and state forums.
Key Accountabilities
* Provide enterprise leadership of Statutory Planning, contributing to whole‐of‐Council strategy, reform delivery and organisational performance.
* Lead a large, multidisciplinary statutory planning workforce, building capability, engagement and accountability through clear expectations and role modelling.
* Foster a constructive, inclusive and performance‐focused culture that promotes professional judgement, integrity and continuous improvement.
* Lead high quality, timely and defensible statutory planning outcomes aligned with Victoria's planning reform agenda.
* Embed shared responsibility and accountability across local government, State Government, Traditional Owners, industry and community stakeholders.
* Maintain strong executive relationships with Victorian Government departments, referral authorities and peak bodies.
* Represent the City of Melbourne authoritatively in senior forums, appeals, negotiations and inter‐governmental settings.
* Strengthen governance, integrity and risk management in planning decision‐making.
* Respectfully ensure statutory planning practice acknowledges and incorporates land use on Country.
About You
* Relevant tertiary qualification in planning (or eligibility for membership of the Planning Institute of Australia), with substantial senior‐level statutory planning experience.
* Strong track record leading complex statutory planning functions in a politically and operationally demanding environment.
* Deep expertise in Victoria's planning system and demonstrated experience navigating reform, governance and accountability requirements.
* Proven capability operating at enterprise and inter‐governmental levels, influencing outcomes beyond organisational boundaries.
* Highly developed executive relationship management skills, including with State Government, Traditional Owners and senior industry stakeholders.
* A values‐led approach, with a strong commitment to integrity, transparency and public value.
* The credibility, judgement and communication skills to represent the organisation in high‐profile external forums.
* Demonstrated experience across both local government and the private sector, bringing strong commercial acumen together with political judgement and influence.
Benefits of Working With Us
* Attractive remuneration & benefits: excellent pay package with a range of benefits, flexible working, study assistance & other corporate discounts.
* Excellent leave entitlements: up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to government‐funded parental leave, with no waiting period.
* Career progression: support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment.
* Work‐life balance and hybrid working: support for flexible hours, alternative work arrangements and hybrid work‐from‐home options.
Inclusion Matters
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds. We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you're contacted for an interview.
Contact
Julian Edwards, Director Planning and Building –
Quetta Serradura, Talent Acquisition Team Lead –
#J-18808-Ljbffr