Executive Urban Designer

Company description:

The City of Canterbury Bankstown is one of the largest Council's in NSW with the most culturally, socially and economically diverse communities in Sydney. We deliver 28 key services such as childcare, waste collection, parks maintenance, libraries, community facilities and aquatic centres to over 380,000 residents.

Job description:

Here at CBCity

The City of Canterbury Bankstown is one of the largest Councils in NSW with one of the most culturally, socially and economically diverse communities in Sydney. We deliver 28 key services such as childcare, waste collection, parks maintenance, libraries, community facilities and aquatic centres to more than 380,000 residents.

The Role

As the Executive Urban Designer, you will play a critical role in shaping the design quality and built form outcomes across the City. Working within the City Strategy and Design Unit, you will strengthen design capability across the organisation and support the City's growth through high‑quality, sustainable and people‑centred design principles.

You will contribute to embedding design excellence, shaping strategic and statutory planning outcomes, and delivering design‑led solutions that influence decision‑making across Council.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will provide expert professional advice on urban design, built form and placemaking to support Council's strategic planning, city‑shaping priorities, and development assessment processes.

Duties will include but not be limited to:

• Champion design excellence across strategic, statutory and place‑based planning initiatives.
• Contribute to place‑based planning, urban renewal, public domain frameworks and Council‑led projects.
• Provide expert urban design advice on planning proposals, development applications and State Significant Developments
• Develop, review and update development controls, spatial frameworks, design policies and guidelines
• Visually communicate and test design principles through spatial analysis, scenario testing, design modelling and negotiation.
• Manage the Design Review Panel program, including facilitation, documentation, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
  Apply critical thinking and creative design resolution to complex, sensitive and high‑profile urban design challenges
• Advocate for high‑quality urban design outcomes through clear, persuasive and evidence‑based advice to diverse audiences

For a full list of duties, click HERE to review the position description.

You will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Urban Design or a related discipline such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning or Urbanism.
• Minimum 8 years' professional experience operating at a senior and strategic level.
• Extensive experience working within the NSW planning system, including LEPs, DCPs and State Environmental Planning Policies.
• Proven ability to deliver high-level urban design advice that influences planning, development and place-based outcomes.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and reviewing planning controls, place‑based master planning, built form design, public domain frameworks and strategies.
• Proven ability to influence and navigate complex environments, engaging effectively with government, industry and the community.
• Excellent verbal, written and graphic communication skills to present complex design solutions to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and design resolution skills, with the capacity to balance competing priorities, constraints and stakeholder expectations.

The salary range for this opportunity starts from $119,961 (Grade I, Step 1) + 12% super. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience. To see our full salary structure for this position, visit https://www.cbcity.nsw.gov.au/your-council/careers/working-us

What's in it for you?

• An Attractive Remuneration Package.
• Embrace a better work-life balance with our Accrued Time Off program, designed to prioritise your well-being and help you manage the balance between your personal and professional life.
• Permanent Full-time position with Local Government conditions such as long service leave after 5 years, annual salary increases and generous parental leave options.
• Contribute to making a positive impact on our community.
• An investment in your professional growth, fostering continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Access to our employee Health and Wellbeing Programs.

For more information

For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Hend Sameh via email at **********@cbcity.nsw.gov.au

How to apply

You will need to submit your application via the ‘Apply' button below and create a login using your email address and upload a:

• Resume;
• Portfolio; and
• Cover Letter explaining your suitability for the role with demonstrated examples of your relevant experience and achievements.

Applications close on Thursday 13 August 2026.

CBCity is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTQIA+ community and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

If you require support with your application or throughout the recruitment process, please contact the Talent Management Team at ***********@cbcity.nsw.gov.au.

Successful applicants may be required to undertake a Criminal History Check, Medical and/or Working with Children Check.

Applicants must hold Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid visa with unrestricted working rights.