Suburban Rail Loop is a city and state-shaping project that will transform Victoria’s public transport system, connecting Melbourne’s suburbs and creating opportunities in great places. The 90-kilometre Suburban Rail Loop will link every major rail line from the Frankston line to the Werribee line, via the airport, better connecting Victorians to jobs, retail, education, health services and each other. The project will trigger investment and renewal in the neighbourhoods associated with new stations. It will be constructed in stages across several decades, with SRL East (Cheltenham to Box Hill) delivering twin 27 km tunnels, six new underground stations and key amenity enhancements to local precincts. Suburban Rail Loop Authority is responsible for all aspects of the project including planning and development of the reference design, investment case, site investigations, stakeholder engagement, planning approvals and procurement, through to precinct planning, construction delivery and project commissioning. This is a unique career opportunity to join a transformational city-shaping infrastructure project in its early stages and to help drive the best connectivity, liveability and productivity outcomes for Melbourne. You will work in a high performing environment alongside skilled and experienced experts who are bringing to life some of the most forward-thinking ideas in the rail infrastructure and precincts space.

About the opportunity: 

Within the Planning and Precincts Division, Senior Strategic Planners are responsible for leading strategic planning projects within the SRL Precincts and Planning team and providing expert advice in relation to precinct planning within the Suburban Rail Loop Project.

As a Senior Strategic Planner in this fast-paced and collaborative environment, you will:

• Develop planning advice and manage strategic planning projects in a multidisciplinary context,

• Exercise professional judgment within agreed standards and actively contribute to the pursuit of effective and timely service delivery,

• Deliver cross organisational planning solutions to ensure strategic and integrated outcomes,

• Conduct advanced research and analysis, prepare high quality briefs and reports,

• Manage projects, contractors and deliverables to achieve an appropriate standard and contribute to the broader program of work,

• Be responsible for providing expert advice and recommendations to senior managers

• Work with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Key accountabilities:

• Lead the development of policy options relating to place specific planning and development strategies, to manage complex urban planning issues within SRL precincts.

• Provide strategic and authoritative advice on current and emerging planning issues, government policy and strategies to proactively navigate the strategic context to achieve outcomes for the project.

• Undertake advanced research and analysis, including investigating and critically analysing issues and opportunities in relation to the development and implementation of policy frameworks or strategic planning initiatives to facilitate precinct outcomes.

• Coordinate and manage projects in a complex and multi-disciplinary context to deliver high quality outcomes, meeting agreed parameters relating to scope, output, timeline and budget, including managing specialist consultants or drawing on expertise across departments.

• Lead components of successful project delivery, including preparing project plans, project reports, briefing materials and presentations, identify and monitor risks and contribute to effective project performance monitoring and continuous improvement processes.

• Liaise with government agencies and other stakeholders with respect to land use planning and development issues to progress the delivery of key strategic projects; facilitate and/or participate in community engagement and support collaboration activities with precinct partners including local government, key institutions and the private sector.

• Develop and coordinate high quality briefings, presentations, correspondence, reports and advice for executive and senior management; engage with policy development across government and its application to the government's precincts agenda.

Highly desirable:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in urban planning, design, public policy or social sciences would be well-regarded.

• Significant experience working in strategic land use planning, including experience in delivering structure plans, urban design frameworks, urban renewal strategies, land use policy and heritage planning.

• Demonstrated experience in project management, strategy development and policy formulation in the context of major projects.

• Demonstrated knowledge of statutory processes including the preparation of amendments and administration of planning schemes.

Applications close 11:59pm AEST on Tuesday 28th March 2023