• Fixed Term Full Time until August 2027/ 10-day Fortnight / 40 Hours per week
• Salary: $126,998 to $134,433 plus Superannuation
• Position Brief -Strategic Planning Lead

About the team:

Situated within the Planning, Regulation and Services Gold Coast department, the City Planning branch is responsible for long term planning and policy development to manage growth and development of our city while protecting and conserving our natural resources and heritage. Within the City Planning Branch, the Strategic Urban and Regional Planning business unit is responsible for developing and reviewing land use and urban design planning policy important to managing the growth of the Gold Coast, providing regional planning advice, and planning assumptions (including population and dwellings numbers).

Strategic City Projects sits within Strategic Urban and Regional Planning and is a small, agile team who has a true commitment to working flexibly. We welcome part-time applicants to apply.

The Strategic City Projects team undertakes land use planning projects, including the development of master plans and strategies, statutory instruments and implementation plans. We are outcomes-focussed and utilise a broad range of strategic planning tools to catalyse initiatives that inform how the City grows.

We collaborate with inter-organisational and external delivery partners (including other levels of government) and innovate our community and stakeholder engagement practices to ensure project objectives and community and stakeholder expectations are met.

About the role:

We currently have multiple fixed term positions available to join the Strategic City Projects team. Our planning for growth program is a priority within this work unit, focussing on employment.

The Strategic City Projects team leads the planning and delivery of some of the city’s most complex and high-impact initiatives. We work across urban renewal precincts, principal and major activity centres, and key employment areas, shaping local plans, investment frameworks and planning scheme outcomes that support growth, jobs and liveability. Our projects span city‑shaping opportunities such as revitalising centres like Robina and Southport, planning for industrial and employment lands in areas like Yatala–Stapylton, and delivering place-based strategies for priority precincts including coastal, mixed-use and emerging neighbourhoods. This role offers the opportunity to work with stakeholders across government and industry to translate strategic vision into implementable planning outcomes.

As a highly experienced planning specialist, you will play a key role in leading the development of long-term planning policy that will shape the City of Gold Coast into the future.

This role requires an inclusive and collaborative leader who partners with a range of internal and external stakeholders to drive good project outcomes. Anticipating changes in policy direction within a political environment and providing timely advice to essential stakeholders to effectively manage project risks are critical components of this role.

We’re looking for people who have:

• Extensive experience in the field of strategic planning and policy development.
• Extensive experience in project management of complex strategic planning projects.
• Experience leading a team, mentoring others and creating a positive workplace environment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and manage multiple stakeholders.
• A high level of interpersonal, oral and written skills including demonstrated experience presenting technical matters to stakeholders, management, politicians and/or large audiences, including the community.
• High attention to detail, and ability to analyse issues and problem solve, lead policy development and effectively interpret complex planning policy.

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:

• 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.

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: Jenna Fallon

Contact Email: jfa••••@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Closing Date: Thursday 9th July 2026 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.