Principal Urban Planner

Geoscience Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading urban planning organisation in Melbourne is seeking a Principal Urban Planner to guide the city’s growth. The role involves leading complex planning projects, assessing proposals, and driving processes. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in urban planning and strong leadership skills. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Career progression opportunities

Study assistance

Corporate discounts

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a planning office with expert knowledge of the Planning and Environment Act.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including the ability to mediate and negotiate.
• High level organisational skills for a semi-autonomous environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex planning projects and shape the city's growth.
• Assess complex planning proposals and offer expert advice.
• Steer team priorities and improve planning processes.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Conflict resolution

Public speaking

Education

Degree in urban planning or eligibility for affiliate membership of PIA

Job description

Principal Urban Planner - Vacancy Details

Position:

Organisation Unit:

Location:

Closing:

Synopsis:

• Lead complex planning projects & help shape a thriving city!
• Contract until 15 January 2027
• $118,141 plus 12% Superannuation

About the role

As a Principal Urban Planner, you’ll be at the forefront of guiding Melbourne’s growth and balancing smart regulation with bold development. You’ll lead the assessment of complex planning proposals and major projects, offering expert advice and driving outcomes that support a vibrant, liveable city.

Working closely with the Manager Statutory Planning, you’ll help steer team priorities, improve processes, and support performance across the Planning Team. This is your chance to influence how Melbourne evolves—making it a place where residents, businesses and visitors thrive.

Why join Team 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.

About you

You’re an experienced urban planner with a strong grasp of complex land use and development matters. Known for your strategic thinking and sound judgement, you bring a collaborative mindset and a customer-focused approach to everything you do. Your leadership style is supportive and solutions-oriented, and you’re confident navigating competing priorities, resolving conflicts, and driving process improvements. With well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, you build trusted relationships and contribute to a high-performing, forward-thinking planning team.

What your experience might look like

• Qualification to degree level in urban planning or eligibility for affiliate membership of PIA and undertaking an approved tertiary course.
• Extensive experience in a planning office with expert knowledge of the Planning and Environment Act and planning processes.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate, mediate, negotiate and resolve conflicts.
• High level organisational skills and the ability to work in a semi-autonomous environment.
• Ability to represent Council at public forums such as public consultation meetings and VCAT.

Benefits of working with us

• Attractive remuneration & benefits: Excellent pay package with a range of exciting benefits. Flexible working, study assistance & other great corporate discounts.
• Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment.
• Work-life balance and hybrid working: We support flexible hours, alternative work arrangements (like ADOs), and hybrid work-from-home options.

How to apply

We'd love to hear how you can make an impact in this role! As part of your application, you will be required to:

• Attach your updated resume
• Include a cover letter (max one page) outlining your relevant experience and why you're a great fit for this role.

Submit your application no later than 11:45pm on Wednesday 15 October 2025

A few important things to note – don’t miss out!

• Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided.
• Apply early! This role may close sooner than the listed closing date if we find the right candidate — so don’t wait to get your application in.
• We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and, for most roles, a Working with Children Check.

Need more info?

Refer to the position description below or contact Nick McLennan – Manager Statutory Planning, [e-mail]

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.