Unit Manager Strategic Planning

• Key Leadership role
• Full time permanent role (based on 38 hours per week)
• SEO position with an attractive remuneration package
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175,000 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community.  Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep.  Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

Council’s Strategic Planning team sits withing the City Strategy and Economy Branch and facilitates sustainable land use and development outcomes across the city, delivering innovative and complex Strategic Planning projects and amendments.  The Unit Manager Strategic Planning is focused on forecasting Merri-bek’s short, medium and long-term needs for planning policy and land use strategies and changes to the Merri-bek Planning Scheme, with an in depth understanding of the current and emerging challenges facing inner urban areas of metropolitan cities.

The Unit Manager Strategic Planning has a role in delivery of the Council Plan, is responsible for managing the Unit’s budget and supervises 6 staff members directly. As part of Council’s leadership network, the role is key to driving a team culture that aligns with the organisation vision.

• A relevant tertiary qualification and leadership experience in a public sector or commercial environment or substantial experience in a public sector or commercial environment at a senior level.
• Experience operating within a complex political and social environment.
• Experience in building intra-organisational relationships and relationships with external agencies.
• A comprehensive understanding and demonstrated practice of current strategic / urban planning principles and practices including an excellent knowledge of procedures and relevant legislation / Practice Notes for processing Planning Scheme Amendments.
• Experience in the drafting of best practice planning scheme provisions and advocacy submissions that are accurate, clear, concise and deliver intended sustainable land use and development outcomes.
• Experience preparing, implementing and monitoring continuous improvement initiatives including developing and implementing new systems and procedures to ensure high level of performance / motivation from Unit staff and service delivery.

• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Narelle Jennings, Manager City Strategy and Economy on 9240 1243.

Applications close: 11:30pm, Thursday, 23 May 2024.

Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.

*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.

Please note that applications must only be submitted online, applications will not be accepted via email.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.

We encourage everyone to apply and discuss opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience.  Council is committed to removing barriers and access to employment where possible at any point in the recruitment, onboarding and during your time at Council. For further information regarding access or modifications you may require for a recruitment process please contact Danni Jovanovic, Recruitment Business Partner on ***********@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.