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 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, contributing to whole of organisation strategy and working closely with State Government, industry and the community to deliver better planning outcomes for Melbourne. This role is central to strengthening shared responsibility, accountability and trust in Victoria’s planning system, while enabling timely, high quality decisions that support housing delivery, economic activity and the long term care of Country. About the role Reporting to the Director, Planning and Building, the Head of Statutory Planning leads a large, multidisciplinary statutory planning, subdivision, appeals and enforcement function within one of Australia’s most complex urban environments. You will be an integral member of the divisional executive leadership team, shaping strategic direction, organisational culture and enterprise priorities. 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 ensures that statutory planning practice acknowledges and incorporates land use on Country. Why join Team Melbourne? Located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri-Woi wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne is globally recognised as one of the most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities. At the heart of it all is the City of Melbourne - a passionate, purpose-driven organisation where your work truly matters. As part of Team Melbourne, you’ll help deliver what’s most important to the people who live, work, study, visit and invest in our great city. We’re proud champions of diversity, committed to continuous improvement, and driven by a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable future. This is more than just a role - it’s your chance to make a real impact, contribute to something bigger, and shape Melbourne’s future alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team. About you You are an experienced statutory planning leader with: Relevant tertiary qualification in planning (or eligibility for membership of the Planning Institute of Australia), with substantial senior level statutory planning experience. A 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 exciting benefits. Flexible working, study assistance & other great corporate discounts. Excellent leave entitlements: Enjoy up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to the government-funded parental leave, with no waiting period to access. Part 0.time equivalents are also available for added flexibility. Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment. Work-life balance and hybrid working: We support flexible hours, alternative work arrangements (like ADOs), and hybrid work-from-home options How to apply We'd love to hear how you can make an impact in this role! As part of your application, you will be required to: Attach your updated resume Include a cover letter (max one page) outlining your relevant experience and why you're a great fit for this role. Submit your application no later than 11:45pm on Sunday 31st May, 2026. A few important things to note – don’t miss out! Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided. Apply early! This role may close sooner than the listed closing date if we find the right candidate — so don’t wait to get your application in. We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and, for most roles, a Working with Children Check. Need more info? Refer to the position description below or contact: Julian Edwards, Director Planning and Building - or; Quetta Serradura, Talent Acquisition Team Lead - 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.
