We are excited to offer the opportunity to champion a transformative planning reform initiative working across government and with the development industry.

Join one of WA’s most innovative and forward-thinking agencies and be part of something rewarding and exciting.

We are excited to offer the opportunity to champion a transformative planning reform initiative working across government and with the development industry.

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is seeking an experienced planning professional to undertake the new position of Planning Director, State Referral Coordination Unit.

The State Referral Coordination Unit will centralise the planning referrals process and streamline technical advice on complex planning applications that are referred to State Government agencies and local government authorities.

As the Planning Director you will have oversight and responsibility for the State Referral Coordination Unit providing decision makers with State Government ‘Single Sector’ advice on planning applications.  Initially, the advice will be on proposals submitted through the permanent Significant Development Pathway as part of the Government’s Planning Reforms.

It is critical that the successful candidate has:

• A strategic view of planning proposals and ability to balance conflicting advice to achieve Government objectives.
• A pragmatic approach to planning applications and ability to navigate a complex operating environment, with an appreciation of development industry practices.
• Strong negotiation skills to work constructively across Government and servicing agencies, with planners and the development industry.
• Commitment to the creation and implementation of a highly responsive customer service culture, creating an environment that is respected and solutions focused.

To be successful for this position, you will have:

• An accredited tertiary degree in Urban and Regional Planning or an approved relevant equivalent. A registered Planner is desirable.
• Extensive working knowledge and experience in the field of Urban and Regional
• Planning collaborating with and creating partnerships across Government, the community and industry sectors.
• Extensive experience working in the Western Australian planning system, including demonstrated experience in both the implementation and design of the planning framework (statutory and strategic planning).
• Excellent interpersonal, team leadership and project management skills including proven ability to deliver complex planning projects and work proactively and collaboratively across an organisation and broader sector to achieve planned outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills with strong experience in effectively managing conflicting needs and expectations, applying best practice stakeholder engagement principles/techniques, and proven ability to prepare timely, clear and concise reports, briefing papers, and high-level correspondence.
• Demonstrated experience in decision making.
• Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context of Leading Leaders as outlined in the attached Job Description Form.

The position is a full-time position, with an initial contract to 30 June 2027, and the possibility of extension and/or permanency.

Benefits to our employees include extensive work/life balance options such as:

Hybrid work;
Flexible working and accrual of time in lieu;
Generous leave entitlements;
Personal Life benefits such as access to a variety of health and/or financial support.

This recruitment process may be used to fill future similar roles that arise across the WA public sector in the next 12 months.

In our pursuit of diversity at senior levels, the Department encourages applications from women, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities.

About us

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) is responsible for planning and managing land and heritage for all West Australians – now and into the future.

To find out more about the Department, our values and what we have to offer, please visit the Department page on the DPLH website.

Our Values: Integrity – Respect – Collaboration – Professionalism – Innovation

Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to this role and should be demonstrated in the context of Leading Leaders.

Further Information: 

If you would like to know more, please give Kristi Clarke a call on (08) 6551 9448 or email kristi.clarke@dplh.wa.gov.au to discuss the role in further detail.

Please do not send your application to Kristi or seek assistance with lodging your application.

How to apply: 

Apply now by submitting the following

• A comprehensive CV that clearly showcases your experience and key achievements
• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the requirements outlined
  For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is an attractive proposition, please read the Applicant Information Pack.

Special Requirements for this position:

The Department will conduct National Police Clearances for applicants successful to this recruitment process.

To be eligible for this appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract. All applicants who are successful in this recruitment process will need to disclose and declare any conflicts of interest prior to appointment.

Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted.

If you experience technical issues when submitting your application, contact ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com, or please call (08) 6551 9419 for any other queries.

Closing Date – 4 December 2023 @ 9:00am 

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please click on the link to Jobs WA

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