Principal Strategic Urban Planner (Movement & Transport)

Council Jobs; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 103,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Wellbeing initiatives

Employee discounts

Career growth

Flexible work / hybrid

Job summary

City of Melbourne seeks a Principal Strategic Urban Planner (Movement & Transport) to lead complex city-shaping projects and integrate movement planning into long-term growth. You will provide expert transport advice, collaborate across government bodies and industry, and mentor teams to build transport planning capability for a liveable city.

With a strong background in urban planning and transport, you will support Melbourne’s future as an accessible, connected city through evidence-based

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex strategic urban planning projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to translate data into insights.
• Ability to lead cross-organisational initiatives and engage diverse stakeholders.
• Sound understanding of land use planning and city-shaping systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex strategic planning projects, including structure plans and city-shaping initiatives.
• Drive land use strategies and planning policy to integrate movement and transport.
• Provide expert advice on transport and movement planning with evidence-based recommendations.
• Collaborate with government agencies, industry and communities to deliver integrated outcomes.
• Act as a trusted subject matter expert, mentoring colleagues and promoting best practice.

Skills

Movement and transport planning

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in urban planning

Job description

Principal Strategic Urban Planner (Movement & Transport)

• Bring your expertise in urban planning and transport to help shape Melbourne’s future as part of our newly established City Strategy and Urban Planning branch.
• Permanent Full Time Opportunity
• $121,095 + 12% Super

Join us in shaping Melbourne's future

The City Strategy and Urban Planning Branch is a team of 38 people that provide the long-term strategic direction that shapes the City of Melbourne’s future. Through research, foresight and strategic urban planning, the branch guides sustainable growth, manages city change and helps deliver the City of Melbourne’s long-term vision.

As part of our new operating model, we are building a team of talented professionals who are passionate about city shaping, evidence-based decision making and creating positive outcomes for City of Melbourne's communities.

About the Role

As the Principal Strategic Urban Planner (Movement and Transport), you’ll lead complex city-shaping projects that influence how people move, connect and experience the city. Combining strategic planning expertise with specialist transport knowledge, you’ll develop evidence-based solutions that support sustainable growth, integrated transport networks and vibrant urban outcomes. Working closely with key stakeholders across the organisation, you’ll provide expert advice, drive strategic initiatives and help build transport planning capability that supports Melbourne’s future as a connected, accessible and liveable city.

A Little More About the Role

• Lead complex strategic planning projects, including structure plans, precinct plans and city-shaping initiatives, delivering outcomes that support Melbourne’s long-term growth, sustainability and liveability.
• Drive the development of land use strategies, planning policy and planning scheme amendments, ensuring movement and transport considerations are integrated into future planning decisions.
• Provide expert advice on transport and movement planning, analysing transport networks, accessibility, travel behaviour and emerging mobility and place-making [PH1.1]trends to inform evidence-based recommendations.
• Collaborate with government agencies, infrastructure providers, industry and community stakeholders to deliver integrated planning outcomes that enhance connectivity, access and place-making.
• Act as a trusted movement and transport subject matter expert, building capability across the organisation, mentoring colleagues and promoting best practice in strategic planning and transport integration.

To view full position description, please see attached document on job application page in “Position Information”.

About You

• Relevant tertiary qualification in urban planning or a related discipline, with substantial professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex strategic urban planning or policy projects
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex planning issues and data and translate them into clear, evidence-based insights and recommendations.
• Strong project management, stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to lead complex cross-organisational initiatives and effectively navigate diverse stakeholder, organisational and political environments.[PH2.1]
• Sound understanding of land use planning and city-shaping systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in movement and transport planning, including a strong understanding of transport networks, integrated land use and transport planning, accessibility, active and public transport systems, and emerging mobility trends, and the ability to apply this knowledge to strategic planning outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective stakeholder relationships across government, industry and community, including engagement with transport agencies and infrastructure providers.

About City of Melbourne

Located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne is globally recognised as one of the most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities.

At the heart of it all is the City of Melbourne – a passionate, purpose-driven organisation where your work truly matters. As part of Team Melbourne, you’ll help deliver what’s most important to the people who live, work, study, visit and invest in our great city.

We’re proud champions of diversity, committed to continuous improvement, and driven by a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable future.

This is more than just a role – it’s your chance to make a real impact, contribute to something bigger, and shape Melbourne’s future alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team.

What we can offer you at City of Melbourne

• Industry-leading parental and family leave – benefit from generous paid parental leave for primary and secondary carers, gender-neutral policies, surrogacy support, and a range of leave options to support you through every stage of life.
• A strong commitment to health, wellbeing and inclusion – access wellbeing initiatives, discounted aquatic and gym memberships, an Employee Assistance Program, and a workplace culture that prioritises psychological safety, diversity and belonging.
• Competitive rewards and financial benefits – including 17.5% annual leave loading, a discounted annual Myki pass, and access to a broad range of corporate discounts across insurance, banking, technology, health, retail, entertainment and more.
• Career growth and meaningful impact – work alongside talented professionals on city-shaping initiatives that make a lasting difference to Melbourne while building your leadership capability and professional expertise.
• Flexibility that works for you – enjoy flexible working arrangements including hybrid work, flexible hours, accrued days off, time-in-lieu options, and part-time or job-share opportunities to support a healthy work-life balance.

Need more info?

For further information about the position please refer to the position description below or email *******@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Inclusion matters

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds.

We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you’re contacted for an interview.