Senior Property Development Officer

Council Jobs; Newcastle-Maitland; Hybrid; AUD 119,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and 12% superann

9-day fortnight, 35 hours per week

Hybrid office/home/onsite mix

Long service leave after 5 years

Corporate Fitness gym discounts

Free parking nearby

Lake Mac perks

Job summary

Lake Macquarie City Council is seeking a Senior Property Development Officer to lead development projects from site selection through construction, balancing commercial insight with community outcomes.

You will manage feasibility, approvals, tendering, contracts and delivery, while coordinating internal and external teams and reporting on costs, risks and progress. A strong governance and safety mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering property development projects from site selection to completion.
• Ability to research and interpret legislation relevant to property development and planning.
• Strong governance, cost control and risk management skills.
• Proven stakeholder engagement with government agencies, contractors and the community.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional project teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects on Council-owned land from site selection to completion.
• Guide projects through feasibility and business case development, planning approvals, tendering, contract administration and construction.
• Manage budgets, reporting on progress, financial performance and risks.
• Coordinate internal specialists and external service providers; ensure governance and safety standards.
• Engage stakeholders and present at public meetings, including complex matters.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strategic thinking

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Degree in Property Development / Construction Management / Valuation & Land Economics / Town Planning

Tools

Office 365

Project management software

Spreadsheets

Job description

See the potential in a site and know how to bring it to life? Join our team as Senior Property Development Officer and lead property development projects from first opportunity to final construction. Bring your commercial insight and project delivery expertise to work that balances strong development outcomes with lasting value for our community.

Lead projects on Council-owned land from site selection to completion

Combine commercial thinking, urban design knowledge and practical project delivery oversight

Permanent full-time, with amazing benefits and work-life balance

LET’S EXPLORE THE JOB

As part of our Property Development team, you’ll identify opportunities and lead a program of development projects on Council-owned land. You’ll guide each project through site selection, feasibility and business case development, planning approvals, tendering, contract administration and construction, keeping cost, delivery and social outcomes in focus.

You’ll bring together internal specialists and external professional service providers, manage budgets and report on progress, financial performance and emerging risks. Working within a complex contractual and regulatory environment, you’ll apply sound governance, quality assurance and work health and safety practices while finding practical solutions to development challenges.

Relationships will be central to your success. You’ll engage government agencies, contractors, developers and community members, lead consultations and present at public meetings, including complex or contentious matters. The role may involve travel between sites and after-hours work.

Read the position statement and learn more about this exciting opportunity.

LET’S HEAR ABOUT YOU

You see both the big picture and the detail that makes a project succeed. An experienced property development professional, you bring commercial acumen, strategic thinking and a proven ability to turn opportunities into completed projects. You’re confident navigating planning and construction requirements, negotiating solutions and keeping diverse stakeholders engaged. Whether you’re presenting to the community or resolving a contractual challenge, you communicate clearly and bring a practical, well-researched approach.

You must also meet the following criteria:

• Degree qualifications in Property Development, Construction Management, Valuation/Land Economics, Town Planning or a related discipline, and/or equivalent extensive relevant experience in a similar role
• Proven experience delivering property development projects from site selection to project completion, including contract preparation and administration
• High-level strategic and tactical planning, project management and commercial skills, supported by strong analytical, research and problem-solving abilities
• Experience in community consultation and public participation, with strong written communication, presentation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to research and interpret relevant legislation, including the Real Property Act 1900, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Local Government Act 1993 and related regulations
• Ability to lead workgroups, coordinate internal and external professional service providers and build effective relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
• Well-developed Office 365 and project management software skills, including spreadsheets and databases, and a NSW Class C driver licence
• Creative thinking, knowledge of innovative urban design principles and an understanding of state, regional and local planning policies will also be highly regarded.

LET’S REVEAL THE PERKS

• Competitive salary from $118,937 - $138,224 a year plus 12% superannuation
• 35 hours per week working across a 9-day fortnight
• Work a mixture of office, on site and from home
• Long Service leave after 5 years
• We value your health and wellbeing and offer generous, discounted gym memberships through our Corporate Fitness program, connect with colleagues through our social club, be inspired by regular wellbeing initiatives, annual flu vaccinations, and confidential support via our employee assistance (EAP) program
• Free parking within walking distance of our office building
• Along with many other perks that come from choosing Lake Mac!

CHOOSE THE LAKE MAC WAY

We know it is our people that will shape the future of our city. That’s why we’re passionate about providing a workplace that empowers our staff to be creative, innovative and bold. When you join the team at Lake Macquarie City Council, you join a group of people with a commitment to make our city even better. We’re proud of our city and the work we do, and we know you will be too.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce. We believe that a diverse network of employees, which truly reflects the people it serves and represents, is best equipped to understand and meet the needs of our community. We welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, refugees and people with disabilities. We understand the skills and attributes veterans can bring to our Council.

LET’S START

For enquiries related to the duties of the role, please contact Elizabeth Lambert, Manager Property and Business Development on 0407 913 *** or via email ********@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

If you need assistance with submitting your application, please contact Blair Stevenson, Talent Attraction Partner, 4069 0083 or via email **********@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Your experience throughout the application process matters to us. If you'd like feedback on your application or interview, don't hesitate to get in touch — we're here for you!

Please note that as part of Lake Macquarie City Council’s recruitment process, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates may be subject to a medical assessment which may include alcohol and other drugs testing.