Senior Manager, City Policy and Local Laws

Luminary; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Brisbane City Council is seeking a Senior Manager, City Policy and Local Laws to shape policy and regulatory settings guiding Brisbane's growth.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team across City Policy, Transport Policy and City Local Laws, providing strategic direction and expert advice to senior executives to ensure contemporary, practical outcomes aligned with Council priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Law, Urban Planning or related discipline is required.
• Experience in Queensland's local government legislative environment is highly regarded.
• Proven track record developing complex policies or legislation and translating strategy into practical outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and review of citywide policies, regulatory frameworks and city local laws.
• Provide strategic policy and legislative advice to Council's executive leadership and elected representatives.
• Strengthen cross-Council collaboration to ensure policies are practical and evidence-based.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary policy team, driving innovation and continuity.
• Oversee regulatory governance and statutory processes to keep frameworks compliant and responsive.

Skills

Policy leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Law, Urban Planning or related discipline

Job description

Senior Manager, City Policy and Local Laws

About Brisbane City Council

Brisbane City Council is Australia's largest local government by population, managing more than $44 billion in assets and an annual budget exceeding $4.1 billion. As Brisbane continues to grow and evolve, Council plays a central role in shaping the city's future, balancing economic development, environmental sustainability and community needs to ensure Brisbane remains a great place to live, work and invest.

Council is committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for Brisbane through collaboration, innovation and responsible decision-making. Its culture is grounded in respect, accountability, customer service and a shared passion for the city. Employees are encouraged to challenge conventional thinking, work across organisational boundaries and have the courage to make a difference, contributing to an organisation focused on delivering value for the Brisbane community.

About the Role

Reporting to the Executive General Manager, City Strategy and Policy, the Senior Manager, City Policy and Local Laws will play a key role in shaping the policy and regulatory settings that guide Brisbane's future. This is an opportunity to influence decisions that have a direct impact on how the city grows, operates and responds to the changing needs of its communities.

Leading a multidisciplinary team across City Policy, Transport Policy and City Local Laws, you will provide strategic direction and expert advice to senior executives and elected representatives, ensuring Council's policies and local laws are contemporary, practical and aligned with its broader priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the development and review of citywide policies, regulatory frameworks and local laws that support Brisbane's growth and livability.
• Provide strategic policy and legislative advice to Council's executive leadership and elected representatives, navigating complex priorities and competing interests.
• Strengthen collaboration across Council to ensure policies are practical, evidence-based and effectively implemented.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, building policy capability and driving consistency, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Oversee regulatory governance and statutory processes, ensuring Council's policy and local law frameworks remain effective, compliant and responsive to emerging challenges.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to significant policy decisions across housing, transport, economic development, sustainability and community wellbeing, with a direct connection between strategic policy development and outcomes for Brisbane.

About You

You are an experienced policy leader with a strong understanding of government decision-making, regulatory frameworks and legislative processes. You bring demonstrated experience developing complex policies or legislation and understand how to translate strategic priorities into practical outcomes within a politically sensitive and highly regulated environment.

With sound judgement and an ability to navigate competing interests, you are comfortable advising senior executives and elected representatives on complex and sometimes contentious matters. You combine strong analytical capability with a pragmatic approach, recognising that effective policy must be both strategically sound and achievable in practice.

Your leadership style is collaborative and inclusive, with a demonstrated ability to develop capable teams, build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders across government, industry and the community. You can manage competing priorities, communicate complex issues clearly and bring people together to achieve shared outcomes.

A bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Law, Urban Planning or a related discipline is required. Experience within Queensland's local government legislative environment and postgraduate management qualifications will be highly regarded.

Above all, you will be motivated by the opportunity to influence policy at a citywide level and contribute to decisions that shape Brisbane's future.

Applications close: Midnight, Tuesday 10th November 2026

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