Coordinator Regional Planning

City of Gold Coast; Gold Coast City; Hybrid; AUD 122,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnight

Hybrid/work from home options

Professional development opportunities

Fitness and wellbeing programs

Job summary

The City of Gold Coast is seeking an experienced Coordinator Regional Planning to lead a team of eight and guide regional planning, growth management and land use policy for our fast-growing city.

You will provide high-level policy advice, drive strategic initiatives and contribute to the City’s planning framework while balancing growth with environmental and community values. This role emphasizes leadership, collaboration and delivering measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and implementing growth management strategies.
• Ability to translate strategic planning policy into practical programs and measurable outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of Queensland planning legislation and growth management principles.
• Experience leading complex strategic planning projects.
• Proven leadership of a specialist team.

Responsibilities

• Drive a coordinated approach to managing growth by integrating land use, infrastructure, housing, employment and environmental planning into strategic policy.
• Monitor demographic, employment, housing and land use data to assess growth trends and inform decisions.
• Provide expert strategic planning and policy advice on citywide growth and development matters.
• Coordinate preparation of project management documentation (initiation forms, feasibility studies, business cases, budgets).
• Lead delivery of complex city-shaping strategic planning projects with proper governance and risk management.
• Develop growth strategies and planning frameworks addressing population growth and housing demand.
• Foster partnerships with State Government agencies and regional stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic planning

People leadership

Policy advice

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor Degree in Regional and Town Planning

Job description

• Full-Time Fixed Term until September 2027/ 9-Day Fortnight / 36 Hours per week
• Salary: $121,839 to $137,304plus Superannuation

Lead strategic planning. Shape sustainable growth. Help build the future of our City.

About the team:

Within the City Planning branch, theStrategic Urban and Regional Planning unitleads the future growth and strategic planning for one of Australia’s fastest growing cities. This includes delivering regional planning advice and preparing key planning assumptions, such as population and dwelling forecasts.

TheRegional Planning team is one of three teams in this unit and is known for its commitment to flexible work practices and delivering impactful strategic planning outcomes. Working on complex citywide and regional planning initiatives, the team leads the development of growth strategies, implementation plans and statutory planning frameworks that influence where people live, work and connect, while helping to balance growth, infrastructure, environmental values and community aspirations. Collaborating closely with internal stakeholders, State Government agencies and regional partners, the team helps shape planning outcomes that respond to growth pressures and emerging challenges while protecting and enhancing the Gold Coast's unique character, lifestyle and natural environment.

About the role:

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinkingplanner to fill the role of Coordinator Regional Planning. The successful applicantwill provide strategic leadership to a high-performing team and help shape the City’s long-term growth and development.

You will lead a team of 8 with3 – 4 direct reportsand will provide strategic direction across regional planning, growth management and strategic land use policy. You will play a key role in influencing major planning initiatives, providing high-level policy advice and contributing to the continued enhancement of the City’s Planning Scheme and related Council strategies.

This is an exciting opportunity to combine your expertise in strategic planning with your leadership capability to deliver meaningful outcomes for the city and its community.

Key responsibilities include:

• Drive a coordinated approach to managing growth across the City by integrating land use, infrastructure, housing, employment and environmental planning considerations into strategic policy and planning initiatives.
• Monitor, analyse and interpret demographic, employment, housing and land use data to assess the City’s growth trends, inform decision making and track progress towards population, employment and dwelling targets.
• Provide expert strategic planning and policy advice on citywide growth, land use planning and development matters to support organisational decision making and planning outcomes.
• Coordinate the preparation of project management documentation including project initiation forms, feasibility studies, business cases, project management plans and budgets.
• Lead the delivery of complex city-shaping strategic planning projects ensuring effective management of scope, budget, schedule, quality, risk, procurement, stakeholder engagement and project outcomes.
• Develop and implement growth strategies and planning frameworks that respond to emerging challenges and opportunities associated with population growth, housing demand and employment needs
• Foster strong partnerships with State Government agencies, regional stakeholders and internal business units to influence regional planning outcomes and advance the City's strategic interests.
• Lead the administration of the City’s Social and Health Impact Assessment Policy and provide referral advice to development assessment officers.

About you:

You are an experienced strategic planner and people leader who can operate confidently at a senior level and influence outcomes across a complex local government environment.

You will have:

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing growth management strategies including planning for population growth, housing supply and employment land.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic planning policy into practical implementation programs, actions and measurable outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of Queensland planning legislation, regional planning frameworks and contemporary growth management principles.
• Experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary strategic planning projects.
• Demonstrated people leadership capability, including the ability to lead, develop and motivate a specialist team.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to interpret demographic, employment, housing and land use trends to inform growth management and city shaping decisions.
• Proven project management, governance and budget management capabilities.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear advice to senior decisionmakers.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work strategically while managing competing priorities, complex issues and tight deadlines.
• Bachelor Degree in Regional and Town Planning or equivalent and relevant experience

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:

• 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

We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community.

Closing Date: Monday 5th October11:59pm 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.

Contact Person:Sam Bonney