Make your experience count

Looking for a role where you can take ownership of your projects, influence the direction of a growing planning team and have more time for life outside work?

Join Maker Consulting Services as a Principal Planner in our Wollongong (or Newcastle) office. You’ll lead a diverse mix of statutory and strategic planning projects, primarily across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, with opportunities to work throughout broader NSW.

Working closely with our Planning Director and team, you’ll have the prospect to contribute your ideas, mentor emerging planners and help shape the growth of our planning business.

Why join Maker?

We’re an employee-owned consultancy bringing together civil engineering, surveying, town planning and project management. With more than 65 people across four offices, we offer the expertise of a multidisciplinary team, along with the opportunity to make a visible contribution.

At Maker, you’ll benefit from:

- A 4-day work week: Enjoy a weekday off to catch up on life and do more of what you love, with flexible working arrangements available.

- Ownership and influence: Lead your projects and contribute to decisions about how our planning team grows.

- Variety and challenge: Work with public and private sector clients across statutory and strategic planning, following projects from initial advice through to approval and delivery.

- Professional growth: Continue developing your expertise through training, mentoring and professional memberships.

- A collaborative team: Work alongside experienced planners, engineers, surveyors and project managers in an inclusive workplace with regular staff social events.

Your role

As a Principal Planner reporting to the Planning Director, you’ll combine hands-on project leadership with a broader role in team development and business growth.

You’ll





- Lead planning projects, managing client relationships, priorities and delivery.

- Provide clear, practical planning advice and guide clients through complex planning matters.

- Collaborate with colleagues, external consultants, contractors and approval authorities to progress projects.

- Review planning reports and other deliverables to maintain high standards of quality and accuracy.

- Identify opportunities for growth and play an active role in business development, including attending industry events.

- Mentor team members, sharing your experience and supporting their professional development.

- Contribute to the management of the planning team

There is scope for the role to evolve around your strengths and interests, supported by ongoing training and development.

What you’ll bring

You’re an experienced planner who enjoys solving problems, building relationships and helping others succeed. You’re comfortable taking responsibility for your work and balancing sound planning judgement with commercial awareness.

You’ll have

- A tertiary qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.

- At least eight years’ town planning experience and a thorough understanding of the NSW planning system and relevant legislation.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with close attention to detail.

- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality work independently and collaboratively.

- The confidence to build productive relationships with clients and approval authorities.

Experience in Land and Environment Court processes and expert witness representation will be highly regarded.

Ready to bring your experience to Maker?

We’d love to hear what you could bring to our team. Click APPLY and submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role.

📌 Principal Planner (Wollongong)
🏢 Maker Consulting Services
📍 Wollongong