Planning Services Manager

Company Description

At the City of Stirling, we're proud to be WA's largest local government, serving over 243,000 residents with more than 200 community-focused services. With a workforce of 1,500 employees, we're committed to building an inclusive, capable and future-ready organisation. We invest in our people, embrace innovation, and offer a workplace where flexibility, wellbeing and growth are more than just words, they're how we work.

Job Description

Why You'll Love This Role

Are you an experienced planning leader ready to shape the future of a thriving and diverse community?

As our Planning Services Manager, you'll lead a multidisciplinary team across Planning Services, Planning Administration and the City's Design Review Panel, ensuring the delivery of efficient, customer-focused and high-quality planning services.

This is a unique opportunity to influence significant planning outcomes, provide expert advice to Council and Executive Leadership, represent the City on complex development matters, and drive service improvement initiatives that support growth across one of Western Australia's largest local governments.

You'll play a key leadership role in developing future leaders, managing operational performance and fostering strong relationships with Councillors, State agencies, developers, community stakeholders and industry representatives.

The Planning Services Manager role is responsible for providing strong leadership a multi-faceted team, including, Planning Services, Planning Administration, and the City's Design Review Panel. The Planning Services Manager will ensure the City has an effective, efficient and prompt planning service.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and manage planning teams.
• Coaching, mentoring and developing staff and emerging leaders
• Providing expert advice to Council, Executive, stakeholders and working groups
• Manage operational performance, budgets and resources and undertake service planning
• Drive service improvement and business transformation initiatives
• Representation of the City at Development Assessment Panel Meetings and Significant Development Pathway matters

*please note this role is internally known as Service Lead Planning Services

Qualifications

What You'll Bring

We're looking for a planning leader with strong leadership capability who enjoys developing people, navigating complex planning matters and delivering exceptional outcomes for the community.

You'll ideally bring:

• Tertiary qualification in Urban and Regional Planning (Essential)
• Extensive statutory planning leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of WA planning systems
• Local government legislation and process expertise
• Proven people leadership and coaching capability
• Experience managing operational performance and budgets
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills

Additional Information

Why You'll Love Working Here

Work Your Way

Flexible working arrangements, free parking and access to an on-site canteen.

Rewarding You

Up to 24% superannuation with matching contributions, purchased leave and novated leasing options.

Grow With Us

Leadership development programs, career pathways and ongoing learning opportunities.

Ready to Make a Real Impact?

If you're ready to lead with purpose, influence the future of planning in one of Western Australia's most dynamic local government areas and develop a high-performing team, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us and help create high-quality development outcomes that support a sustainable, vibrant and connected community while advancing your leadership career in an organisation committed to innovation, collaboration and professional growth.

Additional Information

Questions? Reach out to the Hiring Manager James Fletcher on (08) 9205 8170

Applications close: Monday 28 September 2026 at 6:00pm

We may commence interviews before the closing date, so don't wait to apply.

The City embraces its diverse workforce by supporting work-life balance and offering opportunities for progression and development. Here at City of Stirling we celebrate and support inclusion and diversity.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the City of Stirling, the Wadjak People of the Nyoongar Nation, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. We will act with compassion and respect towards all people and value people of all abilities, ages, religions, faiths, sexualities, gender identity and cultural backgrounds.