Lead Statutory Planning & Team Performance

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

Job summary

Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking an experienced planning professional to lead the Statutory Planning team and shape planning services across a diverse municipality in Victoria.

The role focuses on delivering high-quality statutory planning outcomes with sound judgement, transparency and a community focus. You will lead a capable team and collaborate with several Council disciplines to achieve practical outcomes for growth, coastal communities and agricultural landscapes.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead Council's statutory planning function and provide direction to a professional team of planners.
• Oversee a diverse range of 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 statutory forums.
• Drive service performance, customer experience and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support the development of a collaborative, accountable and high-performing team culture.
• Work with strategic planning, building, engineering and other Council teams to achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Victorian planning legislation

statutory planning practice

leadership experience

communication skills

stakeholder engagement

problem solving

innovative mindset

collaborative leadership

Job description

Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking an experienced planning professional to lead the Statutory Planning team and shape planning services across a diverse municipality in Victoria.

The role focuses on delivering high-quality statutory planning outcomes with sound judgement, transparency and a community focus. You will lead a capable team and collaborate with several Council disciplines to achieve practical outcomes for growth, coastal communities and agricultural landscapes.