REAP-Accredited Principal Planner – NSW Lead

Urban Legal; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Real flexibility

Opportunity to build the planning team

Direct access to decision-makers

Professional development

Career progression

Autonomy

Culture of innovation

Job summary

Urban Advisers, in partnership with Urban Legal, seeks a Principal Planner – Planning & Environmental Assessment to become a key technical leader in NSW.

You will lead complex planning projects, manage REAP accreditation, engage with DPHI and councils, and mentor junior planners as the practice grows. This is a genuine opportunity to shape a new planning consultancy with modern systems and strong client-facing responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Current REAP accreditation is mandatory.
• A relevant tertiary planning qualification.
• Substantial NSW planning and environmental assessment experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex development and State significant development projects.
• Excellent knowledge of the NSW planning system.
• Ability to produce and review planning work to an exceptionally high standard.
• Credibility dealing directly with clients, DPHI, councils and other government agencies.
• Strong commercial and strategic judgement; independence to lead complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and approvals strategies for complex projects.
• Lead and review EISs, SEEs, planning reports and environmental assessment documentation.
• Perform REAP review and quality assurance functions.
• Lead State significant development and other complex statutory planning processes.
• Advise clients on planning strategy, risk and pathways to approval.
• Lead engagement and negotiations with DPHI, councils and government agencies.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams.
• Identify problems early and drive practical solutions.
• Take ownership of projects from strategy through approval; mentor planners.

Skills

REAP accreditation

Client engagement

Strategic judgement

Leadership

Education

Tertiary planning qualification

Job description

Urban Advisers, in partnership with Urban Legal, seeks a Principal Planner – Planning & Environmental Assessment to become a key technical leader in NSW.

You will lead complex planning projects, manage REAP accreditation, engage with DPHI and councils, and mentor junior planners as the practice grows. This is a genuine opportunity to shape a new planning consultancy with modern systems and strong client-facing responsibilities.