Team Leader Open Space Planning

Ballarat City Council; Ballarat; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning and development programs

Flexible work policies

Employee benefits program

MyWellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Ballarat City Council is seeking an experienced open space planning and design professional to lead the Open Space Planning and Design group within the City Design Unit. The role reports directly to the Executive Manager City Design and acts as the advocate for open space planning matters.

Based in central Ballarat with hybrid arrangements, the role requires a proven leader who can guide a team of Landscape Architects and Project Managers through the full life cycle of open space projects, from

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in open space, parks and reserves design.
• Proficiency in sketching and detailing park designs using AutoCAD.
• Experience reviewing landscape plans for development applications.
• Strong people management, collaboration and team culture skills.
• Tertiary qualification in Landscape Architecture or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Open Space Planning and Design group within City Design.
• Advocate for open space planning matters within the council.
• Oversee landscape design projects across streetscapes and public realm.

Skills

Leadership experience in open space

AutoCAD proficiency

Landscape design skills

People management

Communication and negotiation

Education

Bachelor or postgraduate qualification in Landscape Architecture or equivalent

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

Job description

• Team Leader Open Space Planning and Design
• Seeking a leader passionate about landscape design and open spaces
• Permanent, full-time leadership role
• Ballarat VIC (flexible arrangements available)

About The Role

City of Ballarat is seeking an experienced open space planning and design professional to lead the Open Space Planning and Design group within the City Design Unit. The role reports directly to the Executive Manager City Design and acts as the advocate for relevant open space planning and design matters. The role requires an organised and adaptive leader who can demonstrate strong technical skills regarding landscape design, clear and competent leadership managing relevant open space matters and has a solid understanding of the planning and development process for private reserves that are created through the planning and subdivision process.

City Design is a unit within the Development and Growth Division, responsible for delivering quality design projects in streetscapes and the public realm, open spaces, new links for walking, cycling and recreational trails, upgrades to major urban renewal sites and other urban and landscape design projects.

This is a terrific opportunity for a landscape design leader experienced across the full life-cycle of open space projects to bring that expertise to a team of dedicated Landscape Architects and Project Managers.

This is a full-time permanent role based in central Ballarat, but the role can be a hybrid working arrangement and we are happy to work through flexible work options for the right candidate.

For a full list of responsibilities and selection criteria, please view the Position Description available here on our Careers Page

About You

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced people and design leader with a passion for the design and planning of high-quality open spaces, parks and reserves.

Qualifications And Experience

• Demonstrated leadership experience related to the design of open spaces, parks and reserves.
• Demonstrated capacity to draw quality sketch, concept and detailed designs for parklands and open spaces using AutoCAD and related software (a portfolio of relevant designs / projects should be submitted with the application).
• Demonstrated experience preparing / reviewing landscape plans associated with development applications.
• Demonstrated people management experience including the ability to inspire a diverse team, collaborate, encourage innovation and reform, and create a positive team culture.
• Demonstrated high level of leadership, interpersonal, communication, consultation and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to articulate issues and influence outcomes.
• Tertiary qualifications in an appropriate design discipline or approved equivalent professional qualification (e.g. Landscape Architecture) and several years’ experience managing, designing and delivering relevant projects within or with Local Government.
• Senior and middle-management experience highly regarded

The closing date for this position is 4 October 2026.

Contact

For any additional questions, please contact James Guy, Executive Manager City Design on 0447 366 452 or email [e-mail]

Be Part Of Something More

Join us in making a real difference to the lives within our community. Working for City of Ballarat you will be part of a team that values honesty, transparency and accountability in everything we do. We believe in the importance of valuing every Individual and working together to support the community. Together we create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and make a positive impact.

Benefits

• Learning and development programs
• Flexible work policies
• Employee benefits program
• MyWellbeing initiatives

At the City of Ballarat, we celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive, flexible workplace where everyone feels welcome. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply. If you need any support during the recruitment process, reach out to us at [e-mail]

We’re proud to be a child-safe organisation, committed to protecting children and young people from harm. Our culture promotes their safety and wellbeing, and we require all successful candidates to undergo relevant screening, including a Working with Children Check and criminal history check.