• Permanent Full Time
• $175k-$190k package (which includes super and council vehicle)
• Located in Torquay (hybrid arrangements available)
  

About the role
Lead our statutory planning and compliance department. Work with our engaged community. Join other talented leaders to care for Country and make places that people love.

A quick look at the Surf Coast Shire Community Vision and the Council Plan 2025-29 will show you how vital planning decisions are to our highly engaged community: “[We] understand that our population will increase but this should not be at the detrimental expense of our unique neighbourhoods or the natural environment”.

The department exists to help people understand and adhere to the planning system, so that we balance varied interests and achieve enhanced outcomes, enabling our environment, communities and businesses to thrive and grow. It does this through the following functions:

• Statutory planning
• Planning compliance
• Infrastructure contributions coordination

We’re unapologetic about having high expectations of our leaders. We’re looking for someone who loves land-use planning, supports their people to excel and is interested in the bigger picture. We want you to focus on the department’s purpose and to work with colleagues across the organisation to deliver on Council’s ambitious agenda. You will be an approachable communicator equally comfortable working with applicants, objectors, Councillors and our engaged communities.

As well as providing opportunities to do interesting work, we offer you the chance to be part of a great culture in a world-class location. We’ll support you to be the best you can be.

Key selection criteria
Mandatory qualifications and experience

• A minimum of 5 years senior management experience in land use planning or related management roles.
• Tertiary qualification in land use planning, urban design or related discipline.
• A respected advisor, peer and colleague due to excellent relationship, communications and engagement skills in various internal and external contexts including members of the public, developers, members of governing bodies and government officials.
• An admired leader of others within and beyond formal span of control with a reputation for building and empowering amazing teams and positively impacting organisation culture.
• A pragmatic problem solver able to navigate complex planning matters.
• A demonstrated capacity to contextualize, design and execute customer-friendly land use statutory and regulatory functions within a broad Council agenda that has community wellbeing and environmental protection at its heart.
• Current Victorian driver’s licence, current Working With Children Check.
• Police Check results that are suitable for this position (will be arranged by Surf Coast Shire Council). A complete international criminal history check is required if the person has worked or lived overseas for any period of time OR a complete national criminal history check is required if the person has only ever worked in Australia.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Experience in Local Government.
• Post-graduate qualifications in management or similar.
• A strong appreciation of the Surf Coast Shire context.
• Strategic land use planning experience.
• Membership of relevant industry bodies.

Working for us
Our employees play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, respectful and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional services to our thriving community and it’s why our Council is committed to providing a workplace culture of equity, inclusion and diversity that eliminates all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying.

We value the uniqueness of individuals and provide an environment in which all employees are able to contribute to our success.

What you’ll love

• Career development & learning opportunities, we help our people grow
• Purchase of additional annual leave
• Free onsite parking
• Leave loading
• Employee Assistance Program and award winning staff wellbeing program

More information on the role accountabilities, and selection criteria can be found in the Position Description here.

If you believe you have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil this role and would like further information, please contact Chris Pike, General Manager Placemaking and Environment on 5261 0600.

To apply for this position, you must have the permanent right to live and work in Australia.

Applications should include:

• a cover letter, including a statement addressing the key selection criteria
• a copy of your resume

Please note that only applications with a statement addressing the key selection criteria will be considered for this position.

How to apply
Simply complete the application process by clicking the "Apply Now" button and we'll be in touch with you shortly.

Applications close at 11:59pm Wednesday 12 November 2025.

Surf Coast Shire Council is an equal opportunity and child safe employer and completes police checks for all employees.