Apply: Manager Planning and Sustainability

Manager, Planning & Sustainability

• Drive integrated city‑wide planning across a metropolitan council
• Shape long‑term sustainability, property and precinct outcomes
• Lead a multidisciplinary team delivering impactful urban change

Shape the future of one of South Australia’s most dynamic urban communities. The City of Charles Sturt is seeking an influential and future‑focused leader to guide integrated planning and sustainability outcomes that will define the next generation of liveability, growth, and resilience across the City.

As Manager, Planning and Sustainability, you will steer a diverse portfolio including strategic property, precinct planning, sustainability strategy, economic development and senior policy planning bringing these functions together to deliver a cohesive, long‑term City Plan that supports Community Vision 2040.

This is an opportunity to lead complex, meaningful work in a politically aware local government environment, partnering closely with senior leaders, elected members and stakeholders across four interconnected functions.

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager City Futures, you will:

• Lead development and implementation of an integrated City Plan, ensuring alignment across Planning & Sustainability, City Property & Open Space, City Infrastructure, and Development Services
• Lead a multidisciplinary team, building generalist capability while maintaining deep specialist expertise
• Oversee strategic property and precinct planning activities, identifying opportunities to leverage land, delivery partnerships and redevelopment outcomes
• Drive sustainability initiatives to support climate resilience, carbon reduction and long‑term environmental performance
• Guide economic development activities including investment attraction, small business support and growth‑sector opportunities
• Build strong relationships across Council, State agencies, developers, industry and community partners
• Develop business cases, secure funding and continue the City’s strong track record in grant acquisition

About You

You will be a strategic, systems‑minded leader who thrives in complexity and excels at connecting people, ideas and long‑term plans. Your experience and capability will include:

• Ability to set clear purpose, goals and strategy at both portfolio and project level
• Systems thinking and understanding of interdependencies across urban planning, infrastructure, sustainability and economic development
• Strength in capacity planning, workload forecasting and operating‑model design
• Political awareness and confidence navigating council environments and elected member relationships
• Highly effective stakeholder management, engagement and relationship‑building skills
• Strong business case capability, analytical thinking and financial acumen
• Experience identifying opportunities, managing programs and applying governance to prioritise and sequence work
• An agile mindset and ability to lead teams through transformation and continuous change
• A combination of project management expertise, consultancy experience, local government knowledge and a design‑thinking approach will be highly advantageous

Why Join the City of Charles Sturt?

Alongside the opportunity to influence long‑term strategic planning and shape major redevelopment, sustainability and economic initiatives, the City of Charles Sturt offers a supportive and people‑centred workplace with benefits that genuinely enhance your work and life. These include: meaningful, community‑focused work, flexible work options, professional development and career growth with leadership pathways, wellbeing support and the ability to participate in community‑minded initiatives.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please click the Apply Now button and include your CV and Cover Letter. Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 18th March 2026. We encourage early applications, as suitable candidates will be assessed as they apply.
For a confidential conversation, please contact Matt Hobby at Perks People Solutions on (08) 8273 9385.