Job Description

Principal Planner – Business Lead

Permanent Full Time

Band 7 – Starting from $108,545 + super + RDO ( RDO applicable for full-time 38 hours per week only)

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

• Supportive and friendly team environment where we value growth and development
• Hybrid/flexible working arrangements and an emphasis on work/life balance
• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment

Benefits Package

• Hybrid Working Policy For those working full time hours - 3 days worked in the office and 2 days WFH
• Exceptional leave entitlements - 16 days personal leave, 18 weeks parental leave, plus cultural leave and compassionate leave
• Health and wellbeing - free EAP counselling, discounted leisure membership 40% off for Staff and 25% off for Managers, salary sacrifice childcare options
• Professional Development – leadership courses and learning workshops, Education Assistance Program featuring study and exam leave and up to 50% course fee reimbursement

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Statutory Planner to join a progressive, inner-city Council to support Yarra’s vibrant business community.

The Principal Planner – Business Lead is responsible for maintaining a Business focussed planning permit application stream within the Statutory Planning Unit. The role will is responsible for monitoring applications lodged within the stream to ensure KPIs for timeframes are met and that a high level of customer service is provided to applicants. The role includes both the processing of some business permits and exercising delegations under the Planning Delegation Instrument and Protocols to review recommendations made by other planners for business permits. The role is responsible for working closely with and supporting other planners process business permits.

The Principal Planner – Business Lead is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships both within and external to Council and in the business community. This includes Council’s Economic Development Unit. In addition, the role leads the development of a business focussed customer service culture within the Statutory Planning Unit.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a town planner with several years’ experience ready to take the next step in their career to help deliver a great service to our business community.

Yarra City Council is an exciting, flexible and Progressive Organisation, proud of our inclusive culture, diversity and development of staff. We strive to make a positive difference in people’s lives and continually improve services to the community.

Need More Info?

For further information, please refer to the or contact Narelle Jennings, Manager Statutory Planning & Building Services

103407 - Principal Planner - Business Lead - City Sustainability and Strategy - Position Description (April 2025).pdf

Applications close on Tuesday 21 July 2026, at 11:55pm.

How to Apply

In your application, please include your Resume and a 1-page Cover Letter In your cover letter, provide a brief overview addressing the Key Selection Criteria as outlined in the Position Description. A separate document addressing KSC is not required.

Additional Information

This position is subject to satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check to ensure eligibility to work in the sector and a pre-employment medical assessment prior to commencement. Pre-employment checks are not used by Yarra City Council to prevent any applicant from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

At Yarra Every Job is a Climate Job! Acting on the climate emergency requires that we change the way we think, make decisions, and prioritise action. We must embed proactive climate responses in the ways we govern, live our lives, and conduct our work. Every choice we make today and into the future will have an impact; this is true for Council and the community.

Acknowledging the scale of this crisis, at Yarra we are committed to ensuring that every job is a climate job meaning that each staff member will play a key role in shaping our climate response.

Yarra's Commitment to Diversity

Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer.

We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people.