Manager Planning & Development - Gorgeous Coastal WA Town!

Shire of Esperance; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 78,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shire vehicle provided

Relocation allowance

Housing assistance (six months)

Five weeks annual leave

RDO every four weeks

Uniform allowance

Paid professional development

Free gym and pool membership

Job summary

Shire of Esperance seeks a strategic leader to head Development Services (Planning, Building and Environmental Health) for a two-year term. You will guide a nine-person team, drive a major subdivision, and chair a Planning Scheme review shaping Esperance for decades.

You will oversee compliance, budgets, and the review of strategic documents while preparing reports for Council. This role requires senior local government experience and a strong ability to collaborate with elected members.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Environmental Health or Building Surveying.
• Proven experience leading a multi-disciplinary team in a local government setting.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to advocate, negotiate and mediate.
• Knowledge of statutory processes, including the Planning and Development Act and BCA.
• Experience preparing and presenting reports to elected members and developing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the department and set day-to-day direction for the team of nine.
• Oversee statutory and operational compliance across Planning, Building and Environmental Health.
• Manage the department's annual budget.
• Lead the review of strategic documents, including the Local Planning Scheme and Public Health Plan.
• Prepare and present reports for Council and Committee meetings.

Skills

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

Advocacy & negotiation

Statutory processes knowledge

Budget & reporting

Education

Tertiary qualification in Town Planning or Environmental Health or Building Surveying

Job description

Lead the Shire's Development Services team (Planning, Building and Environmental Health) for a two-year term, delivering strategic leadership, driving a major subdivision, and leading a Planning Scheme review that will shape Esperance for decades.

Duties

• Lead the department and set day-to-day direction for the team of nine.
• Oversee statutory and operational compliance across Planning, Building and Environmental Health.
• Manage the department's annual budget.
• Lead the review of strategic documents, including the Local Planning Scheme and Public Health Plan.
• Prepare and present reports for Council and Committee meetings.

Skills & Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Environmental Health or Building Surveying.
• Proven experience leading a multi-disciplinary team in a local government setting.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to advocate, negotiate and mediate.
• Knowledge of statutory processes, including the Planning and Development Act and BCA.
• Experience preparing and presenting reports to elected members and developing budgets.
• Salary package of up to $130,000 plus super, plus employer co-contribution (up to 5%).
• Shire vehicle provided, relocation allowance, and six months' housing assistance.
• Five weeks annual leave, plus an RDO every four weeks.
• Uniform allowance and paid professional development.
• Free gym and pool membership.

About the Company

Esperance sits on WA's south-east coast. With over 300 staff, the Shire is one of the region's biggest employers, running like a tight-knit community where people pull in the same direction. Culture is collegiate and supportive, with a focus on health, wellbeing, and career progression.