Coordinator Regional Planning & Advocacy

Why work with us?
 

At Council, we’re proud of our region. We collaborate with community to achieve truly sustainable outcomes, enhance our enviable lifestyle, and create award-winning places and spaces that are uniquely Sunshine Coast. So, if you love it here as much as we do, and you want to shape our region for the future – you’ll want to join our team!
 

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region, council is at the forefront of delivering a number of region-shaping projects that will see the region become a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity, along with opportunities and a lifestyle for all to enjoy.

About the Role
 

The Strategic Planning Branch is responsible for the development of strategic land use planning policy - shaping a positive future for our region that reflects the strategic direction of Council, the values of our community as well as state and regional planning frameworks.
 

The Coordinator Regional Planning and Advocacy will provide leadership and high level professional support and direction to an assigned planning team and lead an advocacy agenda that reflects Council’s vision for a region shaped by clever planning and design.

The role involves:
 

• Coordinating the activities of the Regional Planning and Advocacy Team as one of three planning teams within the Strategic Planning Branch.
• Representing Council’s interests and coordinating Council’s involvement in regional planning projects and planning reform initiatives led by other levels of government.
• Providing support to the preparation and ongoing maintenance of the planning scheme and related planning instruments, including the New Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme.
• Extensive high level collaboration, engagement and communication with Councillors, staff, key industry stakeholders, other levels of government, and the community about land use planning policy, programs and strategies related to growth management in the Sunshine Coast context.
• Preparing high quality advice on a range of regional and other planning matters, as well as timely reports on the progress, functions and key activities of the Regional Planning and Advocacy Team.
• Contributing positively at a strategic level to statutory compliance, policy and strategy development, business and operational plans, change management, business decision-making and all other leadership initiatives.

About you
 

As a highly skilled, experienced, and motivated strategic land use planning professional, your thought leadership and tactical counsel will be critical to developing and effectively advocating for Council’s growth management positions across a range of settings.
 

You will have a passion for the Sunshine Coast and a strong desire to help shape growth in positive ways that reflect the character, lifestyle, environment, and community values of the region.
 

You will have extensive experience working with planning legislation, state and regional planning policy and local planning schemes, as well as a proven track record of managing complex planning projects and initiatives.
 

You will have demonstarted strong leadership skills and experience to confidently and positively lead and empower others, combined with excellent interpersonal, public speaking and presentation skills for the delivery of high-level strategic land use planning initiatives and policy in a local government context.
 

You will possess tertiary qualifications/accreditations and equivalent experience in the town planning profession, with demonstrated application of such learning in the workplace.

Our Culture & Employee Benefits
 

Council is committed to creating an inclusive, culturally diverse, healthy, skilled and dedicated workplace culture. As an employee you will enjoy a range of benefits and working styles to suit you:
 

• Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is important to us therefore we offer a number of different initiatives such as discounted health related memberships, fitness passport, employee assistance program and development opportunities. 
• Flexibility: We know it is important to balance life and work, therefore we offer flexible arrangements that help you be your best.
• Extras: Those extras make a difference therefore we offer salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices. We also pay you 17.5% leave loading and generous Superannuation where council will contribute 12% Superannuation in addition to your 6% superannuation contribution.

How to apply
 

Your written application should include:
 

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements on the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when addressing this criteria; and
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

Once you have these two documents ready, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.

Further Information
 

Helpful information to assist you in completing your application is available on the Sunshine Coast Council website.
 

To learn more about Council’s vision and projects, you can view the Corporate Plan 2023-2027.
 

For specific enquiries contact Steve Patey during business hours on 07 5420 8785.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to the Recruitment Team [email protected].

At Sunshine Coast Council, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background including First Nations, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To deliver the best service to our region we want a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve. Sunshine Coast Council strongly encourages all suitable applicants to apply for this role.