Project Director Land and Housing

Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage; Perth; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage in Western Australia seeks a Project Director Land and Housing to support delivery of government priorities by leading programs, engaging stakeholders, and providing strategic advice. This fixed-term, full-time role runs until 31 December 2027 with potential extension or permanency.

A strong track record in leadership and multi-project delivery is essential. You will manage a small team, coordinate priority lands-related initiatives, and work across

Qualifications

• Extensive proven experience delivering complex programs in a government setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a small team delivering lands-related programs.
• Provide evidence-based strategic advice to support government priorities.
• Engage with stakeholders to secure buy-in and negotiate outcomes.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Strategic leadership

Project leadership

Job description

The Project Director Land and Housing is responsible for supporting the successful delivery of government priorities to increase residential land and housing supply, through program leadership, extensive engagement and negotiation, and the provision of evidence-based strategic advice. The role leads and manages a small team and is responsible for the ongoing development of priority programs and the delivery of lands-related projects. This is a fixed term, full-time opportunity until 31 December 2027 with a possibility of extension and/or permanency. This process may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed-term positions that may arise within the Department and across the WA public sector in the next 12 months from the initial date of appointment.

To be successful for this position, you need to demonstrate:

• Highly developed conceptual, research and analytical skills with a proven ability to translate complex findings into actionable program proposals and strategic advice.
• Extensive proven experience in leading and managing multiple priorities and projects to successfully achieve departmental and government objectives.
• Demonstrate flexibility, initiative and sound judgement in decision making under complex and challenging circumstances, with a strong ability to negotiate outcomes and achieve priorities.
• Demonstrate substantial expertise in effectively communicating, negotiating and influencing others.
• Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context as outlined below.

Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to this role and should be demonstrated in the context of Leading Others. The Leading Others context is about motivating and enabling others to deliver high quality work that contributes to the agency. The expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process. This role will be a great fit for someone who enjoys working at pace, thrives on building influential relationships, and is motivated by achieving outcomes in complex environments. You will bring strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills, be comfortable navigating competing priorities and sensitive issues, and enjoy working collaboratively to deliver strategic outcomes.

In our pursuit of diversity at senior levels, the Department encourages applications from women, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities. As a senior member of the organisation, you will champion the Department’s values, fostering integrity, respect, collaboration, professionalism, accountability and innovation and we expect all successful candidates to be capable of operating in line with these beliefs. Successful candidates will also need to operate within the Public Sector's Code of Ethics.

Our Perth office is centrally located in the CBD, above the Perth Underground rail station and close to major transport links. We also have a number of offices located in the regions.

Further Information: If you would like to know more, please give Scott McGill a call on [phone] or email scott.mcgill @dplh.wa.gov.au to discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Scott McGill or seek assistance with lodging your application.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – For a confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please reach out to Jake Louthean or Barb Culbong from our Aboriginal Employment and Engagement team. You can contact Jake at 0428429486 or Barb at 0408 895 002 or alternatively email us at [e-mail].

Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team on [phone] or email [e-mail]. We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the below numbers: TTY/voice calls – 133 677 Speak and Listen – 1300 555 727 SMS relay – 0423 677 767

Special Requirements for this position: The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Conflict-of-Interest Declaration and a Declaration of Outside Interests are to be completed by all applicants who are successful in this recruitment process. Lodgement is system generated, and any submissions made on or after 4.00pm will not be accepted. DPLH reserves the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised closing date should circumstances around the vacancy change. Closing Date – Monday, 9 November 2026 @ 4:00pm