Senior Town Planner

Orion Group is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Planner to join our expanding Planning & Development team.

This is not a traditional planning role focused solely on assessment reports and applications. We are looking for a planner who enjoys managing projects, working directly with clients and coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver outcomes across development, infrastructure, government and strategic planning projects throughout NSW.

As a Senior Planner, you will play a key role in leading project delivery, providing trusted planning advice and helping grow one of NSW’s most dynamic multidisciplinary consultancies.

Whether you are currently working in a consultancy, local government or government agency, this role offers the opportunity to broaden your experience across a diverse project portfolio while working alongside planners, engineers, surveyors, project managers and technical specialists.

About the Role

Reporting to the Planning Director, you will lead the delivery of planning and project management services across a varied portfolio of projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing planning approvals and project delivery from inception through to completion.
• Preparing and reviewing planning reports, Statements of Environmental Effects (SEE), Review of Environmental Factors (REF), planning advice, due diligence reports and strategic planning documentation.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary project teams and external consultants.
• Managing project scope, programs, budgets and client expectations.
• Providing strategic planning advice to private sector, infrastructure and government clients.
• Identifying project risks and developing practical solutions.
• Supporting business development activities and preparing fee proposals.
• Mentoring junior planners and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the Planning team.

About You

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical planning skills with project management capability and commercial awareness.

You will ideally have:

• A degree qualification in Urban and Regional Planning or a related discipline.
• Eligibility for membership of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).
• Approximately 5-10+ years’ planning experience.
• Strong knowledge of the NSW planning system, legislation and approvals pathways.
• Experience managing planning projects, programs, budgets and client relationships.
• Excellent written communication and report writing skills.
• A proactive and solutions-focused mindset.
• The ability to build trusted relationships with clients, government agencies and project teams.

Experience across development approvals, strategic planning, infrastructure projects and multidisciplinary consultancy environments will be highly regarded.

Employee Benefits

• Flexible workplace with a range of options
• Paid parental leave
• Generous leave including birthday leave, flexible public holidays, purchased leave
• Employee discounts on health insurance, energy, novated leasing and retail
• Free confidential counselling and wellbeing support (EAP)
• Individual development plans and mentoring
• Regular team events, celebrations and social activities

Orion Group highly values diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates.