Director - Placemaking & Strategy

Placeworks Co - Director, Placemaking & Strategy
About Placeworks Co
Placeworks Co is a placemaking studio dedicated to redefining how the built environmentindustry works with communities.
We position projects to resonate with their local context, communities and decision-makersthrough thoughtful strategy, engagement and communications. Combining placemaking,engagement and strategic insight, we help clients navigate complexity and create conditions forlong-term success.
We help clients uncover meaningful community insights, understand the unique character of aplace and translate community feedback into clear evidence, insights and recommendationsthat support project decision-making.
Placeworks Co operates within the C8 Group, combining specialist placemaking andengagement expertise with access to complementary capabilities across communications,creative, digital and content disciplines. While Placeworks leads project strategy, engagementand community insight, our connection to C8 enables us to scale project teams and deliverintegrated outcomes where additional specialist expertise is required.
The Opportunity
This is a unique opportunity for a strategic thinker who understands the realities of developmentand the value of meaningful community insight.
As Director, Placemaking & Strategy, you will work in close partnership with our Director ofEngagement Operations to lead Placeworks Co. Together, you'll combine strategic thinking,engagement expertise and project delivery to help clients navigate complex projects andstakeholder environments.
While the Director of Engagement Operations leads client relationships, project delivery, teamcoordination and stakeholder management, you will lead project positioning, engagementstrategy, community insight and engagement risk management.
Working across development, infrastructure and precinct projects, you'll help clientsunderstand local context, identify community sensitivities and opportunities, and designengagement approaches that generate meaningful insights.
This role is ideal for someone who loves the strategic side of engagement and placemaking,enjoys uncovering what matters to communities, and can translate that understanding intoclear recommendations that help clients and project teams make informed decisions.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Project Positioning• Develop engagement and stakeholder strategies that align project objectives, managestakeholder risk and guide project engagement.• Review existing project documentation, consultation records and place context toidentify community sensitivities, opportunities and knowledge gaps.• Design engagement methodologies and participation activities that generate meaningfulfeedback.• Develop key messages, engagement materials and participation frameworks.
Engagement Risk & Consultation Design• Identify engagement, stakeholder and reputational risks and develop practicalmitigation strategies.• Develop key messages, engagement materials and participation frameworks.• Design surveys, workshops and consultation activities that deliver actionable insights.• Ensure engagement programs align with project objectives and communityexpectations.
Analysis & Decision Support• Decipher community and stakeholder feedback to identify key themes, opportunitiesand emerging issues.• Prepare high-quality reports, recommendations and engagement documentation for arange of audiences.• Translate community insights into practical considerations for project teams.• Provide evidence-based insights and recommendations that help clients make informeddecisions.
Leadership & Collaboration• Lead project strategy, engagement design and reporting, collaborating with the Directorof Engagement Operations to ensure approaches are practical, eOective and alignedwith client objectives.• Collaborate on project scoping and the development of tailored approaches for clients.• Build trusted relationships with clients, consultants and project teams.• Contribute to the growth and profile of Placeworks Co through business development,proposals and thought leadership.
About You
You are a strategic thinker who understands how community insights can strengthen projects,build trust and support better outcomes.
You will bring:
• Significant experience in placemaking, community engagement, urban strategy,stakeholder engagement or a related field.• Experience developing engagement and stakeholder strategies for complex projects.• Excellent analytical, communication and report-writing skills.• Experience designing surveys, workshops and engagement activities that generatemeaningful insights.• Strong facilitation and stakeholder management capabilities.• The ability to identify community sensitivities, engagement risks and opportunities andprovide practical strategic advice.• Experience working with government, private sector clients and multidisciplinary projectteams within a consultancy, planning or development environment.• An understanding of the development process and the role community engagement canplay in informing project outcomes.
Why Placeworks Co?
Co-lead a specialist placemaking studio backed by the strength of the C8 Group www.c8.group
• Shape projects that influence communities and places.• Enjoy the agility and influence of a boutique consultancy with access to a broadermultidisciplinary team spanning communications, creative, digital and contentexpertise.• Help grow an emerging brand while being supported by an established multidisciplinarygroup.