Manager - Statutory Planning

About the role

Are you a strategic thinker with exceptional statutory planning expertise who is ready to take on a once in a career opportunity to lead change in a dynamic growth environment?

As Western Australia's largest Metropolitan Local Government in area, the City of Swan presents a rare opportunity for a highly experienced planning professional to lead a large and high-performing statutory planning function responsible for shaping development outcomes across one of Perth's fastest-growing regions.

The City of Swan faces an on-going busy and uniquely complex statutory planning environment that requires a highly experienced, resilient and tenacious individual that has a highly developed understanding of the Western Australian Planning System, is a confident and capable decision maker, an effective communicator and exceptional ‘people manager’ capable of leading a large team within the Statutory Planning business unit.

The Manager Statutory Planning will be self-motivated and focussed on innovation in the workplace. This will necessarily include leading the identification, promotion and development of improved processes and procedures, with a focus on AI innovations, provision of technical guidance and effective liaison with staff to ensure appropriate long-term objectives of the organisation are achieved. To ensure the achievement of the City’s Statutory Planning obligations, this position is responsible for providing appropriate effective and substantiated advice and decisions on matters related to Town Planning. This includes, exercising extensive delegated authority in accordance with the City’s Delegation of Authority Register and representing the City on town planning matters, including in court, tribunals, and mediation processes. The financially responsible coordination of shared infrastructure provision, to serve the growing community, forms an important part of the responsibilities of this role.

The Manager Statutory Planning leads and manages the operation of the City’s Statutory Planning Business Unit to ensure it delivers quality, effective and consistent statutory planning and land use compliance services which consider the aspirations and expectations of a growing and changing community. This includes overseeing the management of all statutory planning functions, including stakeholder engagement, both internal and external liaison, and extensive liaison with Council Members.

The Manager ensures that all aspects of the business unit operate efficiently and accountably, in accordance with statutory requirements, City policy, management practices, and industry best practice.

The Manager will be a leader across the business unit.

About you

We are looking for a forward-thinking ‘People Manager’ who fosters a culture of integrity, accountability and continuous improvement who has the following: 

• Tertiary qualification at a bachelor’s degree level, or above, in Urban and Regional Planning.
• Minimum of 10 years recent experience in statutory planning with extensive working knowledge of, and expertise in relevant Western Australian planning and environmental legislation and associated regulations.
• Extensive working knowledge of, and experience in the Western Australian planning system and processes including SAT, DAP and court procedures.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of, and experience in preparation and management of developer contribution plans.
• Extensive experience in report preparation for, and presentation at decision making and public forums.
• Demonstrated people leadership skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate teams, manage change and innovation, and drive a high-performance culture.
• Demonstrated commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated project management skills to manage and prioritise workload across the business unit.
• Current ‘C’ class driver’s license.
• A satisfactory National Police Certificate.

For more detail about the role, please refer to the position description.

About working with us

This is a full-time 5-year fixed term contract position with a Total Remuneration Package of up to $257,571.00 per annum which consists of:

• Base annual salary of up to $209,439.00 per annum depending on the skills and experience of the successful applicant.
• Motor vehicle allowance of $23,000.00 per annum or an alternate available is private use of a City provided vehicle.
• 12% Superannuation Guarantee Contribution.

You will also enjoy benefits, including

• Flexibility to balance work and life through supported work from home options.
• 19-day working month arrangements.
• Generous leave entitlements e.g. purchase additional leave, 2 x Local Government public holidays.
• Professional development and study assistance opportunities, including a professional development allowance.
• Employee wellness initiatives and support programs.
• Free parking.

About the City

The City of Swan covers 1,042 square kilometres, representing nearly 20 per cent of the Perth metropolitan area. It includes 42 suburbs from Bullsbrook to Bushmead, Ballajura to Gidgegannup, and it is among the fastest-growing regions in Western Australia. The City is home to the iconic Swan River and the internationally celebrated Swan Valley, founded in 1829. It is a sought-after destination to live, work, and visit, combining quality services and amenities with a beautiful natural setting.

The area also holds profound cultural importance for the Whadjuk Noongar people, reflecting more than 40,000 years of connection to the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River). Today, the City is a dynamic and diverse community, where one in three residents was born overseas, and one in five speaks a language other than English at home.

Our purpose is to improve the quality of life for our community by delivering our vision of ‘one city, diverse people, culture and places’ through shared values of respect, excellence, accountability and leadership.

At the City of Swan, we are committed to recruiting and retaining the right people and creating a great place to work. We offer our employees real careers, real impact, and real rewards.

We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds and encourage applications from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and individuals who may identify as LGBTIQ+, with disability, a culturally and linguistically diverse background, and people of all ages.

For more information about this position, please contact Leon van der Linde directly on (08) 9267 9***.

For queries regarding the application process, please contact our friendly People Services team on (08) 9267 9***.

To apply, please submit a cover letter that outlines your qualifications and experience and why you would be a good fit for this role, and a resume via the link.

Closing date: Monday 14 September 2026 at 11PM AWST.

The City of Swan reserves the right to commence shortlisting and interviews earlier than the closing date. The City also reserves the right to close the vacancy early; therefore, if you are interested in this position, please submit an application as early as possible.

*No agencies, please.