Join us to Shape the Future of Shellharbour!
Growth Planning Manager
Build a New Team. Drive Big Ideas. Deliver Real Impact.
Are you ready to lead transformative city shaping projects that make a real difference?
We’re seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to head up a brand-new Growth Planning team at Shellharbour City Council. This is your chance to lead from the ground up—building a high-performing team and shape the way we plan for Shellharbour’s future growth.
In this pivotal role, you’ll drive diverse and impactful planning work—from local infrastructure and strategic land use planning to place-based master planning, precinct activation, and planning for urban release areas. You'll play a key role in supporting bold and innovative approaches to housing affordability, increasing density in the right places, and unlocking housing supply through collaboration and creativity.
You’ll work closely with colleagues across Council and partner with key external stakeholders, including NSW Government agencies, utility providers and the development industry, to create great places and deliver long-term outcomes for our growing community.
This is more than a management job—it’s a rare opportunity to lead, influence, and make your mark on a city undergoing significant change.
About you:
You are an experienced planner and strategic thinker, with a strong understanding of growth area planning, infrastructure planning, and housing delivery. You bring a passion for place and a desire to drive innovative and community-focused solutions. You thrive in collaboration, have excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and are energised by the opportunity to build something from scratch.
About us:
Located just 80 minutes south of Sydney, Shellharbour City is one of the fastest growing cities in NSW. With a stunning coastline, rich natural assets and strong community spirit, Shellharbour is a place where you can make a big difference—professionally and personally.
We offer:
Shellharbour City Council offers a high performing and sustainable organisation to deliver outcomes for the community through leadership, collaboration and innovation. We have exciting, rewarding career opportunities and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work/life balance.
- Permanent full time, 35 hours per week with access to flexible work arrangements.
- A salary of $133,056.56 - $144,024.92 per annum (based on skills and experience)
- Plus 12% superannuation
- A fully maintained leaseback vehicle
Access to a wide range of employee benefits including:
- Novated leasing and retail discounts
- Corporate fitness programs
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health and wellbeing leave, LSL after 5 years, 3 weeks sick leave annually, and more
- Weekly pay and support for work-life balance
We are proud of our award-winning projects and our commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community.
Note: This position requires a National Police History Check clearance.
For further information about the position, clickhere for the position description.
Contact: Luke Musgrave, Executive Manager Strategic Planning and Environment on 0459 857 270.
Closing date: Sunday 17 August 2025 at 11:30pm
Help shape a thriving, inclusive and well-designed future for Shellharbour. Apply today and lead the growth.
Apply now...
Complete the application below by answering the questions, describing how your skills and experience are relevant to the position.
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For further information about the selection process including tips on how to address the selection criteria, please view our Guide To Applying.
Shellharbour City Council are an equal opportunities employer and promote the following;
We are a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that they treat our Community, Councillors, Customers and each other with respect and professionalism without regard to non-relevant criteria or distinctions.
We are committed to being a Child Safe Organisation. Our commitment promotes the rights of all children and young people to be safe from harm when interacting with our services and spaces. To realise our vision for a child-safe Shellharbour, we know that we must work together to ensure our children are given every opportunity to be safe, happy and thrive.
Shellharbour City Council are dedicated to building a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity. We recognise the unique strengths and talents that individuals with disabilities bring to our team, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We invite individuals with disability to apply for positions at Shellharbour City Council and we commit to discussing reasonable adjustments to roles (such as work hours) and the work environment (for example, different office equipment) where we can, to enable people with a disability to join our team. By doing so, people with disability can contribute to the skills, experiences, and perspectives that make our team stronger. Together, we can create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. At Shellharbour City Council, we believe that diversity is not just a policy—it's a reflection of who we are and what we stand for.
Our core values of collaboration, accountability, integrity, respect and sustainability represent who we are and what we expect of one another.
To work with us, you must be committed to role modelling our core values.