Urban Planner

About Büro NorthFor over two decades, Büro North has pioneered experience design, customer-centred design and wayfinding, evolving from a small Melbourne studio into one of Australia's most influential design consultancies and a global leader in our sector.We provide strategic design services that create positive change in the built environment. From studios in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, our impact extends across Australia and internationally, from New Zealand and Malaysia to the UK, China and Saudi Arabia. Our reputation for leadership and innovation is built on finding clever, evidence-based solutions to complex infrastructure and public realm challenges.
The RoleWe're looking for an Urban Planner to join our Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane/London studio and strengthen the strategic thinking behind our wayfinding, place-making and experience design projects. You'll work alongside spatial strategists, wayfinding designers and Project Directors to translate land use, policy and public realm considerations into design outcomes that genuinely improve how people move through and experience place.This is a hands-on role for someone who wants to see planning thinking land in built, physical outcomes — from precinct and campus master plans through to transport interchanges, health precincts and civic spaces.
What You'll Do— Contribute planning and place strategy expertise to wayfinding, signage and public realm projects across health, education, transport, aviation and civic sectors— Interpret planning schemes, heritage overlays, and statutory and policy frameworks, and translate them into practical design and consultation advice for project teams— Develop and communicate place-based and Universal Design approaches for precincts, campuses and mixed-use developments— Prepare planning inputs, technical reports and strategic documentation for client submissions and design development— Support engagement and consultation processes with councils, authorities and community stakeholders— Collaborate closely with Project Directors, spatial strategists and designers to ensure planning considerations are embedded early and inform design outcomes— Contribute to business development, including planning input for proposals and pitches
About You— Degree qualification in Urban Planning, Urban Design or a related built environment discipline— 2-3 years' experience in strategic or statutory planning, ideally with exposure to precinct-scale, transport or public realm projects— Working knowledge of relevant Australian planning schemes, heritage considerations and approvals processes— Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate planning language for design audiences and vice versa— A collaborative mindset and genuine interest in how planning, wayfinding and experience design intersect— Confidence engaging directly with clients, authorities and multidisciplinary project teams— Experience with GIS or planning scheme mapping tools is a plus
What We Offer— The chance to shape how people navigate and experience some of Australia's most significant infrastructure and public realm projects— A genuinely interdisciplinary studio — planners, wayfinding designers, industrial designers and strategists working side by side— Flexible, hybrid working across our Melbourne studio (Wurundjeri Country)— A studio culture built on collaboration, respect and high performance — no ping pong tables, just real support and growth— Involvement in a carbon-neutral, purpose-driven practice, including our ongoing ocean plastic contribution program
How to ApplyIf you're excited by the idea of shaping the future of the built environment, we'd love to hear from you. Send your CV and a short cover note outlining your interest to jobs@buronorth.com, or reach out via the contact form on buronorth.com.