Unit Manager Parks Development

Public Sector People; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Whittlesea is seeking a senior capital delivery leader to take the Unit Manager Parks Development role. You will lead the planning, design and delivery of parks, open space, sporting and public realm upgrades.

You will manage a team of landscape architects and project managers, drive governance, contract management and on-time, on-budget outcomes across major park redevelopments, playgrounds and streetscapes.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Landscape Architecture or similar.
• Extensive experience delivering capital infrastructure through major contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, design and delivery of parks, open space and public realm capital programs.
• Oversee a portfolio spanning park redevelopments, playgrounds, sports fields and streetscapes.
• Strengthen project governance, contract management and delivery disciplines.
• Directly manage priority projects and act as Superintendent across major contracts.
• Provide people leadership to a capable landscape architecture and project management team.

Skills

Project management

Contract management

Governance

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture

Job description

The City of Whittlesea is one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities, supporting a diverse community of more than 220,000 people across established suburbs, growth areas and rural communities.

With continued growth comes significant investment in the parks, open spaces, sporting facilities and public realm that support connected and liveable communities.

This role presents an opportunity to lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of highly visible projects that will help shape places used by the community every day.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager Capital Delivery, the Unit Manager Parks Development is a senior leadership role responsible for the planning, design and delivery of Council’s parks, open space, sporting and public realm capital program.

Leading a team of experienced landscape architects and project managers, you will oversee a diverse portfolio spanning major park redevelopments, playgrounds, sports fields, streetscapes, town centres and broader open space improvements. The breadth of the program provides genuine variety, from smaller community-focused initiatives through to complex, high-profile capital works.

A key focus will be bringing a strong delivery and project management lens to the function. You will strengthen project governance, contract management and delivery disciplines while maintaining the design quality, creativity and landscape expertise already established within the team.

The role will oversee projects from design and procurement through construction and commissioning, while also directly managing selected priority projects. Acting as Superintendent across major contracts, you will work closely with contractors, consultants, government agencies, sporting clubs, community groups and internal stakeholders to deliver quality outcomes on time and within budget.

Just as importantly, this is a people leadership role. You will lead a capable and technically strong team, building on their expertise while creating greater collaboration, accountability and connection across the broader Capital Delivery department.

About You

You are an experienced capital delivery professional with a strong background across parks, open space, sporting, public realm or similarly complex community infrastructure.

Strong project and contract management capability will be important, with experience taking projects from initial planning and design through procurement, construction and completion.

You will understand the governance and commercial requirements of capital delivery and be comfortable managing contracts, budgets, risk and competing stakeholder priorities.

People leadership will be equally important. This is an intelligent, creative and technically capable team, and the role will suit someone who can provide clear direction, develop capability and encourage ideas, while bringing a strong focus on delivery and accountability.

A collaborative approach will be key. You will be comfortable building relationships across Council and working with government agencies, contractors, consultants and community stakeholders to navigate competing priorities and achieve practical outcomes.

A relevant tertiary qualification in Landscape Architecture or a similar discipline is required, together with substantial experience delivering capital infrastructure through major contracts.

Application Process

Public Sector People is partnering with the City of Whittlesea to recruit this newly created opportunity within the Capital Delivery department.

Applications close Monday 5th October 2026.