Inspired by lifestyle. Driven by opportunity.

Do you want to make a real difference for your local community? The City has an exciting opportunity to be actively involved in leading site-specific master planning projects that provide an evidence-based design solution for community infrastructure (open space and community hubs) to ensure the Gold Coast's continued economic, social and environmental success.

About you

You are a community-focused, strategic thinker with strong urban/landscape planning and design skills who can use your experience and knowledge to prepare an evidence-based, long-term vision for key community infrastructure precincts. You have a demonstrated track record at ensuring local government initiatives and plans are realistic, are good value for money, that best respond to the community's needs, and reflect community aspirations.

About your new role

We’re looking for a Project Lead – Open Space Masterplanning to lead and manage development of precinct masterplans for key sites featuring community infrastructure across the city, using externally-sourced planning and design expertise. These sites typically feature parks and other open space, with sport, recreation, library and/or other community facilities. This role is crucial for coordinating project delivery supported by project working groups, managing consultants, participating in community consultation activities, and reviewing, reporting and presenting updates on project progress, milestone achievements, and project completion.

You will also provide landscape architecture (planning and design) advice and support to the Open Space and Community Infrastructure Planning team, delivering strategic planning and consultation management of masterplans for current and future open space, sport and recreation precincts and community infrastructure projects.

If you are effective in working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, please apply. You will work alongside other like-minded professionals with specialised knowledge and skills and will contribute to the analysis and critical assessment of our City’s infrastructure needs. Exceptional skills in design brief preparation, report writing, time management, oral communication and public presentations, and customer engagement - to inform infrastructure planning and urban planning - are essential for this role.

Key deliverables for the position:

Coordinate the development of quality, long-term open space master plans for community infrastructure (open space, land for community facilities, indoor/outdoor sport and recreation, recreation linkages and amenity spaces) using contracted planning/design services and expertise

Coordinate and participate in community engagement activities including pop-up kiosks on-location relevant to specific open space master plan precinct

Prepare and implement Project Management Plans in consultation with key stakeholders to support delivery of strategic, coordinated and integrated network planning for community infrastructure.

Prepare evidence-based, clear, concise, Council reports, briefing notes, project outlines, and recommendations

Coordinate and present regular project progress reports to key stakeholders including elected representatives

We're looking for people who have:

Work effectively with limited direction, exercise exceptional initiative, judgement and integrity

Have a proven capacity for rapid learning within a highly complex and diverse work environment

Have qualifications in land use planning, urban or environmental planning or equivalent experience in master planning – open space and sport and recreation precincts

Are technically proficient in precinct master planning with a strong understanding of the role of open space in broader land use planning decisions, for community benefit

Demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills, a high level of professionalism

Are highly proficient at managing multiple projects, deadlines, and multiple and diverse range of stakeholders, often with competing interests

Have vision, enthusiasm and a strong commitment to delivering sustainable community infrastructure outcomes over the medium and long-term

Build strong relationships using your interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills

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:

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

Confirmed 4% salary increase in October 2025

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 clicking the paperclip icon in the top right corner of this screen.

Click 'Apply' to submit your online application. 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 needs 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.

Contact Person Alexandra McNulty

Contact [email protected]

Closing Date Tuesday, 01 July 2025

Those who have applied previously, need not apply.

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.