Townsville City Council is the largest local government authority in Northern Australia, serving a vibrant community and managing close to $9 billion in community assets. Our vision is to be a globally connected community driven by lifestyle and nature. As we drive economic diversity and cultivate an enriching lifestyle, we are growing a city for both current and future generations.

At Townsville City Council, our purpose is simple: Grow Townsville. To achieve this, we are seeking an exceptional executive leader to join us as the General Manager Planning and Development.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Planning, Environment and Lifestyle, this is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for 95 FTE and an operational budget of approximately $24 million. This position is not merely about managing a division; it is a mandate to lead a significant cultural and operational transformation.

You will be tasked with reshaping the Planning and Development division into an outcomes-focused, customer-centric department of excellence. By fostering a culture of personal accountability and service innovation, you will ensure that Townsville remains a premier destination for investment, sustainable development, and economic growth.

Your Contribution

As a transformational leader, you will provide Council-wide leadership across Development Assessment, City Growth, and Business Support. You will be a champion for "service excellence," removing operational bottlenecks and embedding a commercially-aware mindset within your teams.

Your success will be measured by your ability to rebuild and strengthen relationships with the development industry, the UDIA, and the Property Council, ensuring that Townsville's planning framework is both robust and conducive to high-quality community outcomes. You will talk the talk with applicants, understanding the financial modelling and commercial realities required to make major projects "stack up" for the city.

About You

We are looking for a high-EQ leader who possesses a rare blend of technical planning credibility and sophisticated commercial acumen. You may be a seasoned Planning executive from the public sector, or perhaps a leader from a senior consultancy background looking to return to a purpose-driven role where you can leave a lasting legacy on a growing city.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Strategic Leadership: Proven experience leading diverse teams through cultural change, focusing on empowerment, coaching, and performance standards.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial modelling, ensuring planning policy aligns with commercial feasibility and economic growth.
• Stakeholder Advocacy: Track record of successful negotiation and collaboration with government, private sector partners, and industry bodies.
• Technical Mastery: Sound knowledge of the QLD planning framework and ability to innovate processes to improve customer experiences.

Qualifications: Relevant tertiary qualifications in Planning, Business, or a related field are essential. Post-graduate qualifications (such as an MBA) will be highly regarded.

Why Townsville?

Townsville offers a lifestyle like no other. From the iconic Strand and Castle Hill to the pristine beauty of Magnetic Island, our city provides a mentally and physically healthy environment for you and your family. With a booming economy backed by Defence, education, and mineral processing, this is your chance to lead the development of Northern Australia's most exciting city.

How to Apply

Before applying, we strongly encourage you to download the comprehensive candidate information pack. This pack contains the detailed Position Description and further insights into the role, the organisation, and the region. To access the pack, please visit mcarthur.com.au and enter reference J9019 into the job search function.

To be considered for this role, your application must include:

1. A current Resume; and
2. A tailored Cover Letter (maximum two pages) that specifically addresses the Key Selection Criteria as outlined in the candidate information pack.

For a confidential discussion regarding this significant executive opportunity, please contact Matt Weston or Julie Barr on (07) 3211 9700.

Applications close: Sunday 29th March 2026.

Townsville City Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value Safety, Excellence, Respect, Value, and Enjoyment (SERVE)