Strategic Planning Section Manager

City of Newcastle, Australia; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 134,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 hour week

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements

4 weeks annual leave

Personal leave + public holidays

Health & Wellbeing programs

Novated Lease options

Job summary

The City of Newcastle (CN) is seeking a highly skilled Strategic Planning Section Manager to lead a team delivering expert planning services and technical advice to CN and the community.

This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in land use policy, infrastructure, affordable housing contributions, and heritage conservation, driving urban outcomes aligned with CN’s Community Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities

• Lead a dedicated team in delivering expert planning services and technical advice to City of Newcastle and the community.
• Involve hands-on work in land use policy, infrastructure and affordable housing contributions, and heritage conservation.
• Drive high-quality urban outcomes aligned with CN’s Community Strategic Plan.
• Champion CN’s CREW values of Collaboration, Respect, Excellence, and Wellbeing while supporting the Strategic & Place Planning Manager.
• Opportunity for rotational development across equivalent management positions within the Planning and Development service unit.

Job description

• Are you passionate about shaping vibrant, sustainable urban environments?


• Permanent Full Time opportunity


• 35 hour working week with flexible working arrangements

Through your work, you’ll have a behind the scenes pass to Newcastle's evolution as you shape our future as a liveable, inclusive city.

The City of Newcastle is seeking a highly skilled Strategic Planning Section Manager to lead a dedicated team in delivering expert planning services and technical advice to both CN and the community.

This role will see you combine your strategic leadership skills with hands‑on involvement in land use policy, infrastructure and affordable housing contributions, and heritage conservation, driving high‑quality urban outcomes aligned with CN’s Community Strategic Plan.

As a key leader, you’ll champion CN’s CREW values of Collaboration, Respect, Excellence, and Wellbeing, while supporting the Strategic & Place Planning Manager in creating well‑designed precincts and public spaces.

This role also offers the opportunity for rotational development across equivalent management positions within the Planning and Development service unit.

Life at City of Newcastle (CN)

You’ll get to experience your work up close alongside the brilliant minds of your colleagues who care for one another and the region.

You’ll be working on ambitious plans with a talented, passionate crew alongside you, shaping the very fabric of our community. Showing up for neighbours not shareholders.

Every single day offers the chance to think big and act local. Planning and prioritising to achieve the most important outcomes with the community.

You’ll add value in the moments that matter. From librarians to lifeguards, in a range of iconic places, we achieve a better Newcastle together.

Whether we’re planning to host major events, providing essential services or supporting creative artists, it’s what we do when the cameras aren't rolling that matters most.

And we’ll be there for you in important times in your life. We embrace flexible work arrangements to find a balance that allows us to enjoy the city we shape.

Our focus on inclusion and respecting culture, will help you feel a deeper connection with others. You'll connect with internal communities that will help you to feel a sense of belonging and reflect the diversity of the growing region.

You’ll do meaningful work and do it sustainably as you take ideas from plan to play, in your own backyard.

With hundreds of different roles, each person adds their uniqueness to our culture and plays their part as we head towards our 2040 vision.

With natural assets and a focus on the environment, co‑create a sustainable region with us.

Why join CN?

At CN, we value our employees, and their wellbeing takes priority. We encourage employees to make time for what's important and provide the benefits to enable a work life balance that allow us to enjoy the city we shape.

• 35 hour working week with flexible/hybrid work arrangements/model


• 4 weeks of annual leave, 3 weeks of personal leave plus 2 additional paid public holidays


• 17.5% annual leave loading yearly payment


• Paid parental leave for primary carers


• Industry leading employment conditions


• Corporate Fitness program from as little as $18.00 per fortnight


• Access to a range of exclusive CN employee benefits programs including Novated Lease options as well as access to reward and recognition vouchers


• Annual performance development plans and ongoing training and development opportunities


• Leading the CN Way leadership program


• Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (IDE) employee networks and initiatives


• Access to Health & Wellbeing programs including an Onsite Physiotherapist and Psychology, Yoga and Mental Health Ambassador Groups

We champion inclusion so that everyone is valued, and we encourage innovation and creativity. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where different styles, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, encouraged, and respected.

People with diverse lived experiences (including but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from different cultural, racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, carers, and veterans) are encouraged to apply.

Don’t just work for the city, co-create it. Join and expand your career at the City of Newcastle.

Application Closing Date: Friday 20 November 2026

Remuneration: $148,684.13 + 17.5% annual leave loading yearly payment + 12% Superannuation per annum for a 35 hour week

Contact: Shane Cahill - Strategic & Place Planning Manager - 02 4974 2892

If you need any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact [e-mail] for a confidential discussion.

You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this job.