Manager Urban Design & Place

About the role: 
As the Manager of Urban Design & Place, you'll lead our team in delivering high-quality, community-centred designs across various disciplines, including Urban Design, precinct planning, cultural heritage, placemaking, and public art. You'll collaborate closely with the Executive Director to drive a place-based approach to municipal planning, furthering our commitment to being a UNESCO City of Design. 

Work type: Temporary, full-time (5-year contract)   

Key Responsibilities: 

• Developing a compelling vision for the department's future and lead the team in achieving strategic goals. 
• Fostering collaboration and partnerships across the organisation to integrate activities and build a cohesive leadership cohort. 
• Providing expert advice on integrated place-based planning, design, delivery, and activation. 
• Leading a team of specialists in delivering vibrant places and spaces that meet community expectations. 
• Driving the development and execution of long-term place strategies aligned with community vision and council priorities. 
• Brokering industry partnerships to secure funding for placemaking initiatives. 
• Advocating for the importance of placemaking initiatives internally and externally, serving as a spokesperson for their value. 
• Staying informed about emerging trends and best practices in placemaking and Urban Design, incorporating them into local initiatives. 
• Collaborating with marketing and communications teams to promote placemaking successes and engaging residents in ongoing efforts. 
• Overseeing the development and implementation of placemaking guidelines and design standards. 

Selection Criteria: 

• Tertiary qualification in Urban Design, planning, architecture, or landscape architecture. 
• Senior leadership experience in a similar organisation. 
• Strong experience in integrated place-based design, delivery, and activation. 
• Demonstrated skills in people leadership, strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and project management. 
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and practices related to Urban Design and placemaking. 

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now!  

Child Safety Responsibilities:  

We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy. 

Diversity and Inclusion 

At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages, and diverse experience. 

A career with us 
Central Geelong-based City employees are now based in our new Civic Precinct, Wurriki Nyal. Meaning ‘speak and talk together’ in local Wadawurrung language.  Wurriki Nyal sets the benchmark for what a sustainable, inclusive, and culturally safe workplace can be, including industry leading sustainability standards, a flexible and people-focused design, safe and inclusive spaces and public realm. 

We’re committed to supporting better accessibility for our customers and our people.  We encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments or additional support you may require during the recruitment process, as well as how this role can be flexible for you.  

Applications and Enquiries 

Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position. 

Position Description (Word Version)

Position Description (PDF Version)

Enquiries: Sonia Cheema | Talent Acquisition Specialist | ************@geelongcity.vic.gov.au  

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at *******@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch. 

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience.  We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.