Manager Urban Planning and Environment

Frankston City Council; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

A flexible and hybrid working model

Professional and career development

Purchased leave

Paid parental leave

Paid Christmas shutdown leave

Free onsite parking

Employee assistance program

Salary sacrifice gym membership

Job summary

Frankston City Council is seeking a senior leader to join as Manager Urban Planning and Environment. This role provides strategic leadership across planning, urban design, social policy and environment, guiding four core service areas and a multidisciplinary team to deliver integrated strategies that support Frankston’s long-term vision.

You will work with Councillors, the Director City Advancement, government and community partners to influence policy, advocate for priority outcomes and ensure

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience in city design, strategic planning or related multidisciplinary field.
• Proven experience leading and developing multidisciplinary professional teams.
• Strong capability in developing and implementing complex policies, strategies, frameworks and plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and urban design to support sustainable growth, housing, transport, infrastructure and place-based outcomes.
• Oversee environment and sustainability strategies, biodiversity protection and resource efficiency.
• Lead evidence-based social policy and planning informed by data and community input.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Urban design

Environment sustainability

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications in urban/regional planning or related discipline

Job description

This position is remunerated as a Senior Officer.

An exciting opportunity is now available for an experienced, strategic and community-focused leader to join Frankston City Council as our Manager Urban Planning and Environment.

This is an influential leadership role for someone passionate about shaping the future of cities and communities. Leading a broad multidisciplinary portfolio, you will help guide sustainable growth, strengthen liveability, protect and enhance our environment, and develop evidence-based policies and plans that respond to the changing needs of our community.

Reporting to the Director City Advancement, you will work closely with Councillors, the Executive Leadership Team, government, industry, community organisations and key partners to influence planning, policy and strong environmental outcomes for Frankston.

The role brings together the complementary functions of Strategic Planning, Urban Design Policy and Planning, Social Policy and Planning, and Environment and Sustainability, supported by a Business Support Officer.

About the position

The Manager Urban Planning and Environment provides strategic leadership across four core service areas:

• Strategic Planning
• Urban Design Policy and Planning
• Social Policy and Planning
• Environment and Sustainability

Leading an experienced multidisciplinary team, you will connect these functions to deliver integrated strategies, policies and place-based outcomes that support Frankston’s long-term vision.

You will provide authoritative advice on complex and significant matters, lead meaningful engagement and advocacy, and develop strong partnerships that help Council navigate growth, environmental change, community needs and competing stakeholder interests.

Your key areas of focus will include:

Strategic Planning and Urban Design

• Lead strategic planning and urban design to support sustainable growth, housing, employment, transport, infrastructure, open space and quality place-making.
• Oversee strategic planning policies, precinct and structure plans, planning scheme amendments and related strategic projects.
• Work with government, developers, authorities and regional partners to influence planning outcomes and advocate for Council priorities.

Environment and Sustainability

• Lead Council’s environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, resilience and environmentally sustainable development agenda.
• Oversee strategies and initiatives that protect biodiversity and natural assets, improve resource efficiency and support sustainable practices.
• Embed environmental and climate considerations into organisational planning, policy, investment and decision-making.

Social Policy and Planning

• Lead evidence-based social policy and planning that responds to demographic change, equity, health, wellbeing and inclusion.
• Use research, community data and lived experience to inform Council’s policies, advocacy, services and place-based decisions.
• Build partnerships with community organisations, service providers and government agencies to address complex and emerging social issues.

Across these portfolios, you will bring together diverse professional disciplines as one connected and future-focused department, ensuring policy and planning decisions are informed by evidence, meaningful engagement and a clear understanding of their long-term community impact.

Key opportunity highlights

• Lead an integrated portfolio spanning strategic planning, urban design, social policy, environment and sustainability.
• Help shape Frankston’s sustainable growth, liveability, environmental resilience and community wellbeing.
• Influence major policy, planning and investment decisions through trusted, evidence-based advice.
• Lead the development of integrated strategies, policies, frameworks and place-based plans.
• Build strong partnerships with Councillors, government, industry, Traditional Owners, community organisations and regional stakeholders.
• Guide strategic planning initiatives relating to land use, housing, employment, transport, infrastructure and open space.
• Advance Council’s environmental sustainability, climate adaptation and resilience priorities.
• Ensure social research, community data and lived experience inform policy and organisational decision‑making.
• Lead meaningful community engagement and advocate for Frankston’s strategic priorities.
• Inspire and develop a capable multidisciplinary team and foster collaboration across professional disciplines.
• Navigate complex and politically sensitive matters with sound judgement, integrity and strategic insight.
• Represent Council credibly and confidently in government, industry, community and professional forums.

About you

You are an experienced, strategic and collaborative leader with the ability to connect planning, policy, place, environment and community outcomes.

You bring a broad organisational perspective and understand that effective strategic planning requires more than technical expertise. It requires strong relationships, evidence-based thinking, political acumen and the ability to bring diverse interests together around a clear long-term direction.

You can move confidently between strategic leadership, complex policy matters and practical delivery. You communicate complex information clearly, provide credible and courageous advice, and remain focused on achieving sustainable outcomes for the organisation and community.

You will bring:

• Extensive senior leadership experience in city design, strategic planning, urban design, environmental sustainability, social planning or a related multidisciplinary field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing multidisciplinary professional teams.
• Strong capability in developing and implementing complex policies, strategies, frameworks and plans.
• The ability to integrate land use, place, environmental, social, infrastructure and community considerations.
• A strong understanding of relevant Victorian planning, local government, environmental and policy legislation.
• Highly developed strategic, conceptual, research and analytical skills.
• Experience leading complex projects, programs, consultation processes and stakeholder partnerships.
• The ability to build trusted relationships with Councillors, executive leaders, government agencies, community organisations, developers, industry and professional stakeholders.
• Highly developed communication, engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Sound judgement and the ability to navigate sensitive, contested or politically complex matters.
• A visible and collaborative leadership style that builds capability, accountability and professional trust.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in urban or regional planning, public policy, urban design, environmental planning or management, social planning, or a related discipline.

Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to lead a connected department that shapes sustainable places, protects the environment and improves long-term outcomes for the Frankston community.

Why join Frankston City Council?

This is an opportunity to take on an influential leadership position, reflecting Council’s commitment to developing its people and supporting career progression.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead a diverse and strategically important portfolio.
• Shape Frankston’s long-term growth, places and community outcomes.
• Influence significant planning, policy and city design decisions.
• Lead an experienced multidisciplinary team.
• Work closely with the Director City Advancement, Councillors and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Build influential partnerships across government, industry and the community.
• Advance integrated approaches to planning, policy, sustainability and community wellbeing.
• Lead advocacy on matters important to Frankston and its community.
• Contribute to an organisation focused on becoming Kinder, Fairer and Smarter.

As an employee of Frankston City Council, you may also have access to benefits including:

• A flexible and hybrid working model
• Professional and career development opportunities
• Purchased leave
• Paid parental leave
• Paid Christmas shutdown leave
• Free onsite parking at the Civic Centre
• Employee assistance program
• Salary sacrifice gym membership at Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre

Further information

This is a full-time Senior Officer contract position,

Applications close on Monday, 5 October 2026 at 11:55pm.

Culture at Frankston City Council

Frankston City Council respectfully acknowledges the Bunurong people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work and pays respect to their Elders past and present.

Council is committed to building a culture that values diversity and promotes a workplace that welcomes and includes the unique contributions of all people. We encourage applications from people of all ages, backgrounds and identities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally diverse people, LGBTQIA+ people and people with disability.

We encourage candidates to speak with us about any workplace adjustments or additional support they may require during the recruitment process, as well as how the role may support flexibility.

Child safety

Frankston City Council is a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. Council is committed to creating and maintaining a child-safe environment where all children are valued and protected from harm and abuse.

Pre-employment requirements

The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in Australia, certified copies of relevant qualifications, a current Victorian driver licence and Working with Children Check. They must also be willing to complete a pre-employment health declaration and undertake a National Police Records Check.