Placeworks Co - Director, Placemaking & Strategy

About Placeworks Co

Placeworks Co is a placemaking studio dedicated to redefining how the built environment industry works with communities.

We position projects to resonate with their local context, communities and decision-makers through thoughtful strategy, engagement and communications. Combining placemaking,

engagement and strategic insight, we help clients navigate complexity and create conditions for long-term success.

We help clients uncover meaningful community insights, understand the unique character of a place and translate community feedback into transparent evidence, insights and recommendations that support project decision-making.

Placeworks Co operates within the C8 Group, combining specialist placemaking and engagement expertise with access to complementary capabilities across communications,

creative, digital and content disciplines. While Placeworks leads project strategy, engagement and community insight, our connection to C8 enables us to scale project teams and deliver integrated outcomes where additional specialist expertise is required.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic thinker who understands the realities of development and the value of meaningful community insight.

As Director, Placemaking & Strategy, you will work in close partnership with our Director of

Engagement Operations to lead Placeworks Co. Together, you'll combine strategic thinking,

engagement expertise and project delivery to help clients navigate complex projects and stakeholder environments.

While the Director of Engagement Operations leads client relationships, project delivery, team coordination and stakeholder management, you will lead project positioning, engagement strategy, community insight and engagement risk management.

Working across development, infrastructure and precinct projects, you'll help clients understand local context, identify community sensitivities and opportunities,



and design engagement approaches that generate meaningful insights.

This role is ideal for someone who loves the strategic side of engagement and placemaking,

enjoys uncovering what matters to communities, and can translate that understanding into clear recommendations that help clients and project teams make informed decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Project Positioning

- Develop engagement and stakeholder strategies that align project objectives, manage stakeholder risk and guide project engagement.
- Review existing project documentation, consultation records and place context to identify community sensitivities, opportunities and knowledge gaps.
- Design engagement methodologies and participation activities that generate meaningful feedback.
- Develop key messages, engagement materials and participation frameworks.

Engagement Risk & Consultation Design

- Identify engagement, stakeholder and reputational risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
- Develop key messages, engagement materials and participation frameworks.
- Design surveys, workshops and consultation activities that deliver actionable insights.
- Ensure engagement programs align with project objectives and community expectations.

Analysis & Decision Support

- Decipher community and stakeholder feedback to identify key themes, opportunities and emerging issues.
- Prepare high-quality reports, recommendations and engagement documentation for a range of audiences.
- Translate community insights into practical considerations for project teams.
- Provide evidence-based insights and recommendations that help clients make informed decisions.





Leadership & Collaboration

- Lead project strategy, engagement design and reporting, collaborating with the Director of Engagement Operations to ensure approaches are practical, eOective and aligned with client objectives.
- Collaborate on project scoping and the development of tailored approaches for clients.
- Build trusted relationships with clients, consultants and project teams.
- Contribute to the growth and profile of Placeworks Co through business development,

proposals and thought leadership.

About You

You are a strategic thinker who understands how community insights can strengthen projects,

build trust and support better outcomes.

You will bring:

- Significant experience in placemaking, community engagement, urban strategy,

stakeholder engagement or a related field.
- Experience developing engagement and stakeholder strategies for complex projects.
- Excellent analytical, communication and report-writing skills.
- Experience designing surveys, workshops and engagement activities that generate meaningful insights.
- Strong facilitation and stakeholder management capabilities.
- The ability to identify community sensitivities, engagement risks and opportunities and provide practical strategic advice.
- Experience working with government, private sector clients and multidisciplinary project teams within a consultancy, planning or development environment.
- An understanding of the development process and the role community engagement can play in informing project outcomes.

Why Placeworks Co?

Co-lead a specialist placemaking studio backed by the strength of the C8 Group www.c8.group

- Shape projects that influence communities and places.
- Enjoy the agility and influence of a boutique consultancy with access to a broader multidisciplinary team spanning communications, creative, digital and content expertise.
- Help grow an emerging brand while being supported by an established multidisciplinary group.

📌 Director - Placemaking & Strategy (Canberra)
🏢 CRE8IVE
📍 Canberra