Director Planning and Liveability

• Lead planning, regulatory, transport and environmental services to shape a sustainable and liveable future.
• Drive long-term strategies that balance growth, climate resilience and community wellbeing.
• Partner with the CEO, councillors and stakeholders to deliver innovation and transformation.

Mornington Peninsula Shire is Victoria's premier destination municipality, celebrated for its vibrant townships, thriving agriculture, world-class landscapes, iconic tourist regions, and internationally significant conservation areas within a vital Green Wedge. As the state's fifth largest Local Government Area, the Shire delivers more than 100 essential services to a diverse and growing community of 170,000 residents. These services encompass infrastructure, community wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and cultural initiatives, all supporting prosperity and liveability across the region. Home to one of Australia's most dynamic tourism industries, the Mornington Peninsula attracts over 8 million visitors each year, generates $9.5 billion in economic output and sustains more than 62,000 jobs, underpinning its role as a cornerstone of Victoria's visitor economy.

To ensure it continues to meet the needs of its community and capitalise on future opportunities, the Shire is embarking on a new organisational structure designed to modernise service delivery, strengthen leadership, and enhance collaboration across all functions. This is an exciting period of change and renewal, and the Council is seeking candidates who thrive in dynamic environments, bring fresh ideas, and are committed to driving transformation. Successful leaders will embrace innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement, ensuring the organisation remains responsive, future-focused and equipped to deliver outstanding outcomes for its residents, businesses, and visitors.

Reporting to the CEO, the Director - Planning and Liveability will provide strategic and operational leadership across the portfolios of Statutory Planning, Regulatory Services and Strategic Planning, Transport & Environment. This role is central to ensuring that planning outcomes, infrastructure priorities, climate resilience, compliance and safety approaches and development decisions all contribute to a sustainable and liveable future. You will oversee statutory planning functions while also shaping long-term strategies for land use, transport, coasts and environment that support the wellbeing and prosperity of the community. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will play a key role in setting whole-of-Council direction, partnering with elected members and external stakeholders, and ensuring planning and liveability outcomes align with the municipality's broader vision.

Success in this role requires a proven executive leader and change agent who thrives in complex environments and brings the capability to drive transformation. You will demonstrate strong political acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to navigate sensitive and sometimes competing priorities. More than technical expertise, you bring a track record of leading multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration, and embedding a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. With a focus on outcomes and a commitment to building organisational capability, you will inspire your teams and partners to deliver solutions that balance growth with sustainability, ensuring the municipality is well positioned for the future.

To view more information about the opportunities at Mornington Peninsula Council please view the microsite linked here:

To apply, please click 'apply now' and upload your CV and Cover Letter. For any questions not outlined in the microsite or PD and for a confidential discussion, please contact Kate Rowe at or Seamus Scanlon at

Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.

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