Unit Manager Strategic Planning, Merri-bek City CouncilMerri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 180,000 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.Council's strategic planning team facilitates sustainable land use and development outcomes across the city, delivering innovative and complex strategic planning projects and amendments.Reporting to the Manager City Strategy and Economy and leading a team of 6, this key role will:Focus 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.Play a key role in delivery of the Council Plan, delivering organisational objectives in the areas of land use planning strategy, planning scheme amendments and land use planning research.Lead Action Plan delivery, ensuring that actions are completed and agreed performance indicator targets are met.Support, develop, coach and mentor staff within the Unit, the wider City Strategy & Economy branch and across the organisation, with the aim of building a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and learning to create the best community outcomes.Manage the Unit to achieve budget targets and contribute to long term financial planning to support the achievement of Council goals and the sustainability of community services.Oversee research to ensure land use planning strategies, policies and other documents are based on research and reflect best practice.Oversee project management of strategic land use planning reviews, reports, strategy development and policy documents.Develop and maintain effective relationships external to the organisation, including State Government, peak bodies, development sector and other relevant agencies.Ensure effective community consultation and engagement programs are put in place to complement Amendment processes.Present to and represent Council on various State and local community committees related to strategic planning.Applications are sought from experienced people leaders who bring broad experience in managing teams within a complex and dynamic environment, a comprehensive understanding and demonstrated practice of current strategic/urban planning principles and practices, and an excellent knowledge of procedures and relevant legislation for processing Planning Scheme Amendments.Applicants will have appropriate tertiary qualifications and experience in the drafting of best practice planning scheme provisions and advocacy submissions that deliver intended sustainable land use and development outcomes. Strongly demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the interpretation of relevant legislation and government regulations relating to strategic planning is essential, with a sound understanding of Project Management principles.Applications close on Friday 27th December and should include a CV and cover letter that broadly addresses your suitability. All enquiries will be treated with absolute confidentiality.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, gender and sexuality identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.Our Commitment:Merri-bek City Council has adopted a 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 have 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.
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