- Bring your expertise in housing and urban planning to help shape Melbourne’s future as part of our newly established City Strategy and Urban Planning branch.
- Permanent Full Time Opportunity
- $121,095- $136,286 + 12% Super

Join us in shaping Melbourne's future

The City Strategy and Urban Planning Branch is a team of 38 people that provide the long-term strategic direction that shapes the City of Melbourne’s future. Through research, foresight and strategic urban planning, the branch guides sustainable growth, manages city change and helps deliver the City of Melbourne’s long-term vision.

As part of our new operating model, we are building a team of talented professionals who are passionate about city shaping, evidence-based decision making and creating positive outcomes for City of Melbourne's communities.

About the Role

As the Principal Strategic Urban Planner (Housing), you’ll lead complex city-shaping projects and provide expert housing advice that influences how and where people live across the municipality. Combining strategic planning expertise with deep housing knowledge, you’ll drive policies and initiatives that support diverse, affordable and inclusive housing outcomes. From social and affordable housing to build-to-rent, student accommodation and emerging housing models, you’ll help create vibrant neighbourhoods that meet the needs of Melbourne’s growing and changing communities.

A Little More About the Role

- Lead complex strategic planning projects, including structure plans, precinct plans, policy initiatives and planning scheme amendments, delivering housing outcomes that support Melbourne’s growth, liveability and long-term sustainability.
- Drive the development of housing strategy and planning policy, providing expert input across social housing, affordable housing, market housing, build-to-rent, student accommodation and emerging housing models.
- Provide specialist advice on housing needs, demand and delivery, analysing complex data and trends to develop evidence-based recommendations that support diverse and inclusive communities.
- Integrate housing outcomes into broader city planning, ensuring housing is considered alongside transport, infrastructure, employment, community services and place-based priorities.
- Act as the organisation’s housing subject matter expert, building capability across the branch, mentoring colleagues and collaborating with government, industry and community stakeholders to advance best-practice housing solutions.

To view full position description,



please see attached document on job application page in “Position Information”.

About You

- Relevant tertiary qualification in urban planning or a related discipline, with substantial professional experience
- Demonstrated experience delivering complex strategic urban planning or policy projects
- Strong project management capability, including delivery of complex cross-organisational work
- Sound understanding of land use planning and city-shaping systems
- Solid analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex planning issues and data and translate them into transparent, evidence-based insights, recommendations and strategic planning outcome
- Demonstrated expertise in housing, including a strong understanding of housing policy, supply, affordability, feasibility and diverse housing typologies (including social, affordable, market and emerging housing forms), and the ability to apply this knowledge to strategic planning outcomes
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across government, industry, community and housing sector stakeholders in complex environments.

About City of Melbourne

Located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne is globally recognised as one of the most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities.

At the heart of it all is the City of Melbourne – a passionate, purpose-driven organisation where your work truly matters. As part of Team Melbourne, you’ll help deliver what’s most important to the people who live, work, study, visit and invest in our great city.

We’re proud champions of diversity, committed to continuous improvement, and driven by a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable future.

This is more than just a role – it’s your chance to make a real impact, contribute to something bigger, and shape Melbourne’s future alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team.

What we can offer you at City of Melbourne

- Industry-leading parental and family leave – benefit from generous paid parental leave for primary and secondary carers, gender-neutral policies, surrogacy support,



and a range of leave options to support you through every stage of life.
- A strong commitment to health, wellbeing and inclusion – access wellbeing initiatives, discounted aquatic and gym memberships, an Employee Assistance Program, and a workplace culture that prioritises psychological safety, diversity and belonging.
- Competitive rewards and financial benefits – including 17.5% annual leave loading, a discounted annual Myki pass, and access to a broad range of corporate discounts across insurance, banking, technology, health, retail, entertainment and more.
- Career growth and meaningful impact – work alongside talented professionals on city-shaping initiatives that make a lasting difference to Melbourne while building your leadership capability and professional expertise.
- Flexibility that works for you – enjoy flexible working arrangements including hybrid work, flexible hours, accrued days off, time-in-lieu options, and part-time or job-share opportunities to support a healthy work-life balance.

How to apply

We'd love to hear how you can make an impact in this role! As part of your application, you will be required to:

- Attach your updated resume
- Attach a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and a short summary of how your skills, experience and qualifications align with each key selection criteria.

Submit your application by Sunday 18 October 2026 at 11:45 PM.

A few important things to note – don’t miss out!

- Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided.
- To be eligible, applicants must have permanent working rights in Australia.
- We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and, for most roles, a Working with Children Check.

Need more info?

For further information about the position please refer to the position description below or email *******@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Inclusion matters

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds.

We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you’re contacted for an interview.

📌 Principal Strategic Urban Planner (Housing) (Melbourne)
🏢 City Of Melbourne
📍 Melbourne