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 shape our region for the future – 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, including the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, helping guide the future growth and development of our region.

As Principal Strategic Planner, you will lead the development of integrated land use policy, strategic planning initiatives and complex planning projects that support Council's vision for sustainable growth management. You will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including the community and government agencies, to deliver innovative planning outcomes for the Sunshine Coast.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead strategic land use planning projects and policy initiatives
• Manage planning scheme amendments and statutory planning processes
• Develop structure plans, master plans and growth area strategies
• Provide expert strategic planning advice to Council and stakeholders
• Lead stakeholder and community engagement activities
• Mentor and support planners within the team
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefings and Council presentations
• Manage consultants, project budgets and delivery timeframes.

About you

You are a highly experienced strategic planning professional with a passion for shaping sustainable communities and delivering solutions to complex planning problems. You enjoy influencing policy, leading projects and collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders within a dynamic local government environment.

You will possess:

• A relevant degree qualification that enables membership, or eligibility for membership, of the Planning Institute of Australia
• Extensive experience delivering complex strategic land use planning projects
• Strong knowledge of Queensland planning legislation, State Planning Policy and the SEQ Regional Plan
• Demonstrated experience preparing or amending planning schemes and related planning instruments
• Exceptional research, analytical, report writing and problem-solving skills
• Proven leadership experience, including mentoring and developing team members
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement, negotiation and presentation skills
• Strong project management capability, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes.

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 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 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 2025-2030.

For specific enquiries, contact Jason Krueger during business hours on 0418 267 561.

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.