It’s an exciting time to join the City of Gold Coast in this contract role until mid-2028. You will be responsible for managing the overall direction of the new Planning Scheme including governance arrangements, financial tracking, manage and engage consultants, lead engagement activities with key stakeholders, Councillors and State government working groups and manage the need and scope of technical studies.
The new Planning Scheme will allow the Gold Coast to accommodate 388,300 more residents, 161,700 new dwellings and 173,800 more jobs by 2046.
You will be a valued member of the City Planning Branch which is responsible for long term planning and policy development to manage growth and development of our city while protecting the qualities that make Gold Coast City a great place to live. The Branch also plays a key role in formulating and delivering planning policy and maintaining effective and efficient planning instruments to manage growth and respond to the evolving needs of the community and stakeholders.
The Program Manager- Planning Scheme will work under broad direction from the Manager Planning Scheme with significant autonomy. You will work closely with the Specialist Program Manager for the Department to provide updates to the Strategic Program Director (Office of the CEO), including other executives across the organisation.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Lead program management of policy development workstreams outside of the department, to ensure the new Planning Scheme meets legislative requirements.
- Maintain detailed knowledge of relevant Federal and State Government legislation and ensure the new Planning Scheme is compliant with legislative requirements of the Planning Act 2016, Ministers Guidelines and Rules.
- Demonstrate strategic thinking, foresight, leadership and mature judgment in anticipating and solving unique and complex land use planning matters.
- Manage internal and external relationships using high level interpersonal and negotiation skills to ensure meaningful participation during the preparation of the new Planning Scheme.
- Coordinate and influence the effective and efficient delivery of the program within timeframes and budget.
- Facilitate improvement initiatives to assist with transparency, cost-efficacy and a reduction in delivery and business risk/s.
- Provide expert advice, leadership and guidance to all aspects of the program.
- Provide specialist advice and reports on complex Planning Scheme matters to Councillors for consideration at Committee meetings and/or Council meetings.
- Monitor, analyse, investigate, recommend and report relevant broader perspectives including political, social and legislative changes that may impact on the preparation of the new Planning Scheme.
- Manage competing priorities, with the ability to organise and prioritise work, to deliver expected outcomes in a timely manner.
- Drive high safety and wellbeing awareness and a culture of care and respect in the work environment.
We're looking for people who have:
- Qualifications in urban and regional planning or urban design (or a related discipline) coupled with extensive experience in a similar role.
- Proven ability and experience in land use planning and policy development in a Local Government environment in Queensland with competing stakeholder interests.
- Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, to consult, advocate, negotiate, influence, assert and resolve conflicts in a changing environment with various external stakeholders
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skills including the ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders with differing priorities and views.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, with the ability to organise and prioritise work, to deliver expected outcomes in a timely manner.
- Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including skills in consultation, advocacy, negotiation, influencing, conflict resolution and assertiveness, to resolve issues and meet changing organisational needs.
- Proven ability to analyse matters objectively from different perspectives, comprehend wider contexts, seek relevant information, investigate, draw sound inferences and identify workable solutions to deliver quality outcomes in a complex environment.
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 and we have a range of benefits to help you create the right balance:
- 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
We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community. We're committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture.
How to apply:
For more information, view the position brief by
Upload your Resume with a Cover Letter (of no more than 2 pages) outlining how your skills, experience and personal attributes would allow you to achieve success in this role.
Documents need to be less than 2MB in size and PDF format is preferred. If you encounter technical issues when applying, please email [email protected]
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.
Please note applications for all of our vacancies close at 10.30pm on the listed closing date.
The City of Gold Coast is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are committed to supporting an environment where all employees, regardless of their differences or similarities, feel valued, respected and supported. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons are encouraged to apply.
