Head of Statutory Planning — Lead & Innovate

Colac Otway Shire; Geelong; On-site; AUD 118,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking an experienced planning professional to lead our Statutory Planning team and help shape the future of planning services across Victoria's diverse municipality. This is a significant leadership role that combines strong technical expertise with a commitment to continuous improvement, service excellence and people leadership.

Reporting to the Manager Planning and Building, you will lead a capable team responsible for delivering high-quality statutory planning

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Victorian planning legislation and statutory planning practice.
• Experience in people leadership or readiness for a significant leadership role.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Sound professional judgement with transparent, consistent decision-making.
• Customer-focused mindset with drive to improve service delivery.
• Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and translate ideas into outcomes.
• Collaborative leadership style that develops and empowers others.

Responsibilities

• Lead Council's statutory planning function and provide direction to a professional planning team.
• Oversee diverse planning applications and statutory planning matters.
• Provide expert advice to Councillors, senior leadership, staff and the community.
• Represent Council at VCAT, Planning Panels Victoria and other forums.
• Drive service performance and continuous improvement in customer experience.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, high-performing team culture.
• Collaborate with strategic planning, building and engineering teams to achieve practical outcomes.

Skills

Victorian planning legislation

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Judgement

Customer focus

Innovation

Collaborative leadership

Job description

Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking an experienced planning professional to lead our Statutory Planning team and help shape the future of planning services across Victoria's diverse municipality. This is a significant leadership role that combines strong technical expertise with a commitment to continuous improvement, service excellence and people leadership.

Reporting to the Manager Planning and Building, you will lead a capable team responsible for delivering high-quality statutory planning