Project Planning Lead – Capital Works & Design

Great projects do not start on site they start with exceptional planning

The City of Armadale is one of Western Australia’s fastest-growing local governments, investing in the infrastructure our community needs now and into the future.

We are seeking an experienced Project Planning Lead to turn strategic priorities into well-scoped, costed and deliverable capital projects.

This is a newly created leadership role with genuine scope to bring together civil engineering, landscape architecture and project planning disciplines, build a high-performing team and strengthen how projects move from concept into delivery.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Asset Planning, you will lead the City’s Project Planning function and guide infrastructure projects through the critical front-end planning phase.

You will oversee project scoping, concept development, preliminary design, cost estimation, consultation, approvals and project readiness.

You will also lead the stage gate between Asset Planning and Program Delivery, ensuring only projects that are appropriately scoped, approved and ready progress into the capital works program.

This is not a construction delivery or scheduling role. It is about creating the strong foundations that enable successful project delivery.

What you will lead

• A multidisciplinary team across civil engineering, design and landscape architecture
• Front-end planning, scoping, concept development and cost estimation
• Preparation of project packages for capital program entry
• Community consultation and multidisciplinary stakeholder input
• Project approvals, risks and readiness assessments
• The stage gate process between Asset Planning and Program Delivery
• Stronger project handovers and reduced downstream rework
• Continuous improvement in project planning standards and processes.

About you

You are an experienced infrastructure, engineering, design or project planning leader who understands that successful projects are shaped well before construction begins.

You bring structure to complexity, test assumptions early and know how to bring technical professionals and stakeholders together around a practical outcome.

You are also a strong people leader who can create clarity, develop capability and build a collaborative, accountable team culture.

You will bring:

• Qualifications in Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Project Management or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• Demonstrated front-end infrastructure or capital works planning experience
• Knowledge of project scoping, concept design, estimating and project development
• Experience leading or coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams
• Strong people leadership and team-development capability
• Experience with governance, approvals, procurement and project risk
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• The ability to assess project readiness, constraints and deliverability.

Experience in local government or another complex, asset-intensive environment will be highly regarded.

Why join us?

You will have the opportunity to:

• shape a newly formed function
• lead a multidisciplinary team
• influence the quality and deliverability of the City’s future capital program
• work across roads, public spaces, buildings and community infrastructure
• deliver lasting outcomes for a rapidly growing community.

Benefits

• Nine-day fortnight or 19-day month where operationally suitable
• Hybrid working opportunities where appropriate
• Employer superannuation contributions of up to 15%
• Motor vehicle
• Free Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre membership
• Study assistance
• Novated leasing
• Employee Assistance Program
• 17.5% annual leave loading.

How to apply

Submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your leadership experience and your background in front-end infrastructure or capital works planning.

Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.

Applications will be assessed as they are received, and the position may close without notice if a suitable applicant is identified.

The City of Armadale is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

We are also committed to providing a child safe environment and uphold the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations through our recruitment, training and employment practices.