Director City Planning and Communities

Director City Planning & Communities
City of Coffs Harbour

• Lead planning, development and community services

• Drive delivery, performance and community confidence

• Executive role shaping a growing regional city

The City of Coffs Harbour is entering a critical phase of delivery, growth, and organisational alignment.

Following the appointment of a new General Manager, Council is focused on strengthening performance, improving community confidence, and ensuring that its strategic direction translates into clear, consistent outcomes. This role is central to that shift.

As Director City Planning & Communities, you will lead one of Council’s most visible and complex portfolios—spanning planning, development, regulatory services and community and cultural assets. You will shape how the city grows, how services are experienced and how Council engages with its community.

This is a role that sits at the intersection of policy, place-making and delivery. It requires a leader who can bring clarity to complex issues, align teams around shared priorities and improve the consistency and credibility of outcomes.

Key priorities include:

• improving development and planning performance

• strengthening alignment between strategy and delivery

• lifting accountability across the directorate

• enhancing community engagement and trust

You will be a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to whole-of-organisation performance and working closely with councillors, stakeholders and the community.

We are seeking an experienced executive with a background in planning, regulatory, or community-focused environments. You will bring strong strategic judgement, political awareness and a demonstrated ability to improve performance in complex, multi-disciplinary settings.

Coffs Harbour offers a unique combination of professional challenge and lifestyle, with strong growth, significant civic investment and a clear future direction.

This is an opportunity to lead a high-impact portfolio and contribute to the ongoing development of one of regional Australia’s most dynamic coastal cities.

How to Apply
Please download the Candidate Applicant Pack and view the Position Description and Selection Criteria before submitting an application.

Applications close: 5:00pm AEST Wednesday 22 April 2026