Principal Strategic Planner

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 help shape the future of our region – you’ll want to join our team!

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region -Connected. Liveable. Thriving, our region is a model of sustainability, where caring for our environment, creating vibrant communities and growing our local economy is a way of life.

About the Role

The Strategic Planning Branch is responsible for the development and management of strategic land use planning policy and the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, shaping the future of the region in a way that reflects the strategic direction of Council and ensures compliance with relevant legislation.

The Principal Strategic Planner works as part of a highly effective and motivated team in the development of integrated land use policy that reflects Council’s vision for sustainable growth management and forward planning, in consultation with the community and other stakeholders.

Primarily, you will:

• Provide strong leadership to team members through mentoring, coaching, training, advising, guiding, empowering and support to maximise the functional performance of the team.
• Lead and coordinate the development of strategic land use plans, strategies, and policies, in accordance with the principles and requirements of state planning legislation and relevant planning instruments.
• Project manage and contribute to the preparation of local area structure plans, master plans and development plans.
• Project manage and contribute to the process for making or amending local planning instruments.
• Assess the impacts of major strategic projects, including the impact/s on Council’s adopted policies and plans, identification of key issues and formulation of recommended actions in response.

About you

If you’re the right candidate for this role, you’ll have:

• Formal relevant qualifications/degree that satisfies membership status of the Planning Institute of Australia.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, consultation skills, and extensive experience in drafting or amending statutory planning instruments.
• Highly developed research, analytical, problem solving and decision making skills with the capacity to lead and examine complex problems and develop innovative strategies for their resolution.
• Highly developed written communication skills and extensive experience in preparing reports, briefing papers, correspondence and the like, that clearly and effectively address often complex strategic planning concepts.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills with demonstrated ability in public speaking.

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 range of 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 working including a 9-day fortnight and a hybrid WFH model 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.

How to apply

Your written application should include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements in the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when preparing your cover letter; 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 2025-2030.

For specific enquiries contact Jason Krueger (Coordinator Planning Scheme and Projects) during business hours on 07 5420 8710.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require assistance 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.