Manager City Strategy
Manager City Strategy
Salary:
200000 - 220000
/ Year
Contract Type:
Permanent
Location:
VIC - Melbourne - VIC
Industry:
Planning & Environment
Reference:
4083783
Contact Name:
Blanche Grimaux
Contact Email:
bgrimaux@publicsectorpeople.com.au
Date Published:
12-Oct-2026
About Melton City Council
Melton City Council serves a rapidly growing municipality in Melbourne’s west, where expanding communities, new employment precincts and major infrastructure investment are shaping the city’s future.
Strategic planning plays a central role in managing this growth. Council is planning for new development while responding to the needs of established communities, ensuring land use, infrastructure and community facilities support the municipality’s long-term future.
Council is seeking a Manager City Strategy to provide strategic direction and engaged leadership across a diverse portfolio. This is an opportunity to influence how Melton develops, lead a capable team and build the relationships needed to translate strategy into practical outcomes.
About the Role
The Manager City Strategy leads Council’s strategic planning, urban design and heritage, open space and community infrastructure planning, sustainability and climate resilience functions.
Strategic planning is a key priority, with a significant program of work across growth areas, emerging industrial and employment land, planning scheme amendments and major government projects. You will guide the preparation of policies and planning frameworks that establish a clear direction for future land use and development.
Current priorities include the Melton East Precinct Structure Plan and engagement with State Government projects. You will ensure Council’s interests are clearly represented and that planning advice reflects the connections between growth, infrastructure, employment and community needs.
The broader portfolio brings together functions that influence the quality and sustainability of the municipality. Urban design and heritage inform how places develop and retain their identity, while open space and community infrastructure planning help establish what growing and established communities will need into the future.
The department also develops policy and strategic direction across sustainability, climate resilience and circular economy. You will ensure these priorities are considered alongside land use and infrastructure planning, with clear frameworks that other parts of Council can use to guide their work.
A central part of the role will be bringing clarity and coordination to the department’s work program. Supported by coordinators and specialist staff, you will establish priorities, clarify responsibilities and ensure the team has the direction and support needed to deliver.
You will work closely with colleagues across Council to connect strategic planning with implementation. This requires early engagement, an understanding of operational needs and a collaborative approach to developing policies and frameworks that can be put into practice.
Beyond the organisation, you will build productive relationships with government agencies, developers, industry and community stakeholders. You will represent Council confidently, provide clear advice and help progress complex matters involving different interests and responsibilities.
About You
You bring substantial experience in strategic planning, land use or a closely related field, together with the leadership capability to guide a multidisciplinary team.
You understand the planning challenges and opportunities associated with a growing municipality. You can provide sound direction across growth area planning, planning scheme amendments and emerging land use priorities, while considering the infrastructure, environmental and community implications of those decisions.
You are an engaging and collaborative leader who takes an active interest in the team’s work. You provide clear expectations, practical guidance and the support people need to contribute confidently and take ownership of outcomes.
You can bring clarity to a broad portfolio, helping coordinators and specialists understand priorities, manage competing demands and work effectively together. You value their expertise while maintaining accountability for performance and delivery.
You build strong relationships across an organisation and understand that effective strategy depends on the involvement of the people who will implement it. You listen to different perspectives, work constructively through issues and help colleagues reach decisions that move work forward.
You are also comfortable representing Council externally, engaging with industry and government, and communicating complex planning matters clearly. You combine strategic thinking with a practical approach to getting things done.
Local government experience would be valuable, although Council is open to candidates from other relevant environments who bring strong planning expertise, effective leadership and a clear understanding of the public outcomes this work supports.
Most importantly, you will bring energy, sound judgement and a collaborative approach to leading the team and shaping Melton’s future.
Application Process
Public Sector People is partnering with Melton City Council to recruit this important leadership position.
For a confidential discussion or to request a copy of the position description, please contact Blanche Grimaux at Public Sector People.
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter via the link.
Applications close on Monday 2nd November 2026.
Melton City Council serves a rapidly growing municipality in Melbourne’s west, where expanding communities, new employment precincts and major infrastructure investment are shaping the city’s future.
Strategic planning plays a central role in managing this growth. Council is planning for new development while responding to the needs of established communities, ensuring land use, infrastructure and community facilities support the municipality’s long-term future.
Council is seeking a Manager City Strategy to provide strategic direction and engaged leadership across a diverse portfolio. This is an opportunity to influence how Melton develops, lead a capable team and build the relationships needed to translate strategy into practical outcomes.
About the Role
The Manager City Strategy leads Council’s strategic planning, urban design and heritage, open space and community infrastructure planning, sustainability and climate resilience functions.
Strategic planning is a key priority, with a significant program of work across growth areas, emerging industrial and employment land, planning scheme amendments and major government projects. You will guide the preparation of policies and planning frameworks that establish a clear direction for future land use and development.
Current priorities include the Melton East Precinct Structure Plan and engagement with State Government projects. You will ensure Council’s interests are clearly represented and that planning advice reflects the connections between growth, infrastructure, employment and community needs.
The broader portfolio brings together functions that influence the quality and sustainability of the municipality. Urban design and heritage inform how places develop and retain their identity, while open space and community infrastructure planning help establish what growing and established communities will need into the future.
The department also develops policy and strategic direction across sustainability, climate resilience and circular economy. You will ensure these priorities are considered alongside land use and infrastructure planning, with clear frameworks that other parts of Council can use to guide their work.
A central part of the role will be bringing clarity and coordination to the department’s work program. Supported by coordinators and specialist staff, you will establish priorities, clarify responsibilities and ensure the team has the direction and support needed to deliver.
You will work closely with colleagues across Council to connect strategic planning with implementation. This requires early engagement, an understanding of operational needs and a collaborative approach to developing policies and frameworks that can be put into practice.
Beyond the organisation, you will build productive relationships with government agencies, developers, industry and community stakeholders. You will represent Council confidently, provide clear advice and help progress complex matters involving different interests and responsibilities.
About You
You bring substantial experience in strategic planning, land use or a closely related field, together with the leadership capability to guide a multidisciplinary team.
You understand the planning challenges and opportunities associated with a growing municipality. You can provide sound direction across growth area planning, planning scheme amendments and emerging land use priorities, while considering the infrastructure, environmental and community implications of those decisions.
You are an engaging and collaborative leader who takes an active interest in the team’s work. You provide clear expectations, practical guidance and the support people need to contribute confidently and take ownership of outcomes.
You can bring clarity to a broad portfolio, helping coordinators and specialists understand priorities, manage competing demands and work effectively together. You value their expertise while maintaining accountability for performance and delivery.
You build strong relationships across an organisation and understand that effective strategy depends on the involvement of the people who will implement it. You listen to different perspectives, work constructively through issues and help colleagues reach decisions that move work forward.
You are also comfortable representing Council externally, engaging with industry and government, and communicating complex planning matters clearly. You combine strategic thinking with a practical approach to getting things done.
Local government experience would be valuable, although Council is open to candidates from other relevant environments who bring strong planning expertise, effective leadership and a clear understanding of the public outcomes this work supports.
Most importantly, you will bring energy, sound judgement and a collaborative approach to leading the team and shaping Melton’s future.
Application Process
Public Sector People is partnering with Melton City Council to recruit this important leadership position.
For a confidential discussion or to request a copy of the position description, please contact Blanche Grimaux at Public Sector People.
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter via the link.
Applications close on Monday 2nd November 2026.
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