Place Manager - Strategic Projects

Council Jobs; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 114,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Flexible work options

Learning and development opportunities

Paid parental leave (16 weeks)

Free onsite parking

Discounted gym memberships

Job summary

Kingston City Council is seeking a Place Manager – Strategic Projects to lead place-based initiatives across activity centres and renewal areas. You will shape visions, implement structure outcomes and drive transformative projects that meet community needs.

You will coordinate across councils, landowners, and other authorities, manage briefs and timelines, and present findings to varied audiences while fostering collaboration and design excellence.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification or equivalent work experience in Planning, Urban Design, or Landscape Architecture or related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects from inception to completion.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build buy‑in and tailor messages for diverse audiences
• Strong understanding of urban planning and design principles, with the ability to make best‑practice recommendations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and a willingness to learn new software and programs.
• Ability to independently drive ideas and lead collaborative projects

Responsibilities

• Scope and manage strategic urban design and planning projects from inception to completion.
• Advocate for Council interests in key strategic and major infrastructure projects led by other authorities.
• Partner with landowners and authorities to develop and implement visions for strategic sites and precincts.
• Explore, identify and facilitate long term place-making projects.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders and lead community consultation processes.
• Lead project working groups and facilitate collaborative outcomes.
• Develop project briefs, manage consultants, budgets, and timelines.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings, and communications tailored to diverse audiences.
• Present material to diverse stakeholder groups, tailoring content to audience needs.
• Forward plan workload, prepare project plans, and manage competing priorities.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Urban design principles

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Planning/Urban Design degree

Job description

Job Task Analysis - City Strategy Officer.PDF

• Exciting opportunity to lead strategic place-making projects that create great places and lasting community impact
• Full-time 12-month temporary parental leave replacement (until November 2027)
• Hybrid work options - average 2 days working from home (or pro rata)
• $113,526 – 127,181 per annum plus superannuation (dependent on experience)

About the team

You’ll be joining a team of supportive, collaborative and high performing Place Managers and Urban Designers responsible for facilitating transformative projects across Council’s major activity centres and advocating for design excellence in public and private projects.

About this opportunity

As the Place Manager – Strategic Projects, you’ll be leading transformative place-based projects in our network of Activity Centres and areas of strategic renewal. From developing visions, implementing Structure Plan outcomes, to facilitating key projects, you’ll be working at a variety of scales to enable great place outcomes that meet the needs of our community.

What you’ll deliver

• Scope and manage strategic urban design and planning projects from inception to completion.
• Advocate for Council interests in key strategic and major infrastructure projects led by other authorities.
• Partner with landowners and authorities to develop and implement visions for strategic sites and precincts.
• Explore, identify and facilitate long term place-making projects.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders and lead community consultation processes.
• Lead project working groups and facilitate collaborative outcomes.
• Develop project briefs, manage consultants, budgets, and timelines.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings, and communications tailored to diverse audiences.
• Present material to diverse stakeholder groups, tailoring content to audience needs.
• Forward plan workload, prepare project plans, and manage competing priorities.

Your Skills and Experience

We are looking for a proactive, self‑motivated, and collaborative team player with strong organisational and interpersonal skills. You’ll be willing to roll up your sleeves and learn about new areas outside of your expertise to get projects off the ground. You will excel at building relationships and support, adapting to your audience, and delivering outstanding results.

Other skills required include:

• Tertiary qualification or equivalent work experience in Planning, Urban Design, or Landscape Architecture or related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects from inception to completion.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build buy‑in and tailor messages for diverse audiences
• Strong understanding of urban planning and design principles, with the ability to make best‑practice recommendations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and a willingness to learn new software and programs.
• Ability to independently drive ideas and lead collaborative projects

We make a difference We show care and respect We take pride in our work We are better together

Enquiries

For any enquiries about the position, please contact, Lucy Stratton, Acting Team Leader Urban Design & Place at *************@kingston.vic.gov.au

To be considered for this role, applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia.

For any reasonable adjustments or access needs during the application or interview process, please contact the Hiring Manager or email us at ***************@kingston.vic.gov.au

About Kingston

Kingston Council’s collective focus is on delivering exceptional service that achieves our vision and meets community expectations.

We are an inclusive, resilient community with a thriving economy, where we all share a safe, sustainable environment. The City of Kingston is south‑east of Melbourne and is approximately 20km from Melbourne's CBD. We employ over 1,600 people in a diverse range of roles including engineering, customer service, administration, finance, family, youth and children's services, sport and recreation, health, parks and gardens, planning, arts and management.

Why Work for Kingston?

At Kingston Council, we believe in fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. We support diversity and encourage applications from persons of all backgrounds. Here are some reasons why you might love working with us:

• Hybrid work options – average 2 days working from home (or pro rata)
• Flexible Work Options, including remote and work flexible work hours
• Yearly annual leave loading payment of 17.5% of base salary (excludes casual staff, sessional staff and Senior Officers)
• Learning and development opportunities through professional development programs
• Access to accrued day off every four weeks (Full time employees only)
• Salary Packaging
• Purchase leave options
• Study/development assistance
• Discounted gym memberships
• 16 weeks paid parental leave for both primary and partner carers
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Close to Public transport
• Free Onsite parking

For further information visit our website Join our team - City of Kingston

Kingston City Council is an equal opportunity employer, committed to reconciliation and being a child safe organisation.

We are dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing people of all genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages.

Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. We support adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment.