Project Director - Development Assessment

Queensland Government; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

12.75% superannuation

Learning & career pathways

Modern workplaces

Inclusive culture

Gym & fitness access at low cost

Job summary

Queensland Government's EDQ leads a Partner Growth program, partnering with major developers to accelerate concept-to-approval timeliness across Priority Development Areas. You will orchestrate delivery, drive commercial negotiations, and steer infrastructure agreements while aligning with government objectives.

You will manage senior partner relationships, guide PDA declarations, collaborate with other directors, and build a high-performing team in a dynamic, purpose-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Executive leadership in government or large-scale development.
• Strong grounding in planning or engineering, including land use and infrastructure planning and development assessment.
• Proven record of fast-tracking complex development projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong networks with developers, and ideally with state agencies, utilities and councils.
• A confident negotiator who can be firm while keeping the relationship strong.
• Solutions focused and structured, with a drive for continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery and performance across the partnership portfolio.
• Lead commercial negotiations on program fees, ensuring cost recovery for services beyond the standard offering.
• Lead Partner Infrastructure Agreements and provide executive negotiation and strategic advice.
• Lead PDA declarations and amendments for program partners and drive streamlined assessment of development applications.
• Manage relationships with local governments, TMR and utilities.
• Collaborate with other Group Directors to grow the program and implement improvements into EDQ's standard service.
• Lead an empowered, engaged and capable team.

Skills

Executive leadership

Planning/engineering

Development project tracking

Stakeholder networks

Negotiation

Continuous improvement

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

Lead EDQ's Partner Growth program, working with Queensland's major developers to take projects from early concept to approval faster.

Who We Are

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is a Queensland Government agency that unlocks land and accelerates housing, planning and infrastructure delivery—creating liveable places and enabling economic growth. Our work helps deliver safe, secure and affordable homes and supports thriving communities across the state.

Empowered by the Economic Development Act 2012, EDQ has unique planning and approval powers to help unblock complex projects and bring development-ready land to market. Our purpose is simple: help Queenslanders find a place to call home, create more jobs closer to home, and support liveable communities that reflect Queensland's way of life.

We work across government and with industry to attract investment, enable jobs and deliver projects that make a measurable difference for Queenslanders.

About The Role

Partner Growth is EDQ's program for its major development partners. You'll work with developers in PDAs (Priority Development Areas) from early concept and technical studies. We test new ways of working to deliver greater value to the industry.

• Bring major developers in PDAs into the program and lead coordinated delivery and performance across the partnership portfolio
• Lead commercial negotiations on program fees, making sure services beyond our standard offering are cost recovered
• Lead Partner Infrastructure Agreements, providing executive negotiation and strategic advice
• Lead PDA declarations and amendments for program partners and drive streamlined assessment of their development applications
• Manage relationships with local governments, TMR and utilities
• Collaboratively work with the other internal Group Directors to grow the program and build proven improvements into EDQ's standard service
• Lead an empowered, engaged and capable team

About You

You're a senior leader who understands how development really works and builds strong, lasting relationships with the people who deliver it. You can hold a firm line in a negotiation, find a way through when things get complicated, and you deliver on time.

• Executive leadership in government, large scale development or infrastructure environments
• Strong grounding in planning or engineering, including land use and infrastructure planning and development assessment
• A proven record of fast tracking complex development projects with multiple stakeholders
• Strong networks with developers, and ideally with state agencies, utilities and councils
• A confident negotiator who can be firm while keeping the relationship strong
• Solutions focused and structured, with a drive for continuous improvement
• Private sector experience in development or consulting will be highly regarded, along with relevant tertiary qualifications

Why Choose EDQ

If you're motivated by purpose and impact, you'll fit right in at EDQ. You will also be able to enjoy the following:

• Flexible and agile ways of working
• Generous leave and 12.75% superannuation
• Learning, development and career pathways
• Modern workplaces designed for collaboration
• Inclusive culture that values diversity and cultural capability
• Access for you and your family to hundreds of gyms, pools and fitness facilities in your area at very low cost

Applications will remain current for a period of 12 months.

Occupational group

Executive