Director Planning, Growth & Sustainability

The Director of Planning, Growth & Sustainability at Davidson will lead a team of around 100 staff in Cairns, Australia, focusing on strategic growth and sustainable development. This executive role involves shaping planning and compliance to enhance community quality of life while preserving the region's natural beauty. The candidate should have a strong background in planning and sustainability within government sectors and possess skills in policy development and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead strategic growth in one of Australia's most iconic tropical cities
• Executive leadership role - circa 100 staff across multiple portfolio areas
• Shape sustainable development, planning and compliance for a thriving region

The Organisation

Cairns Regional Council is a vibrant local government authority proudly serving a diverse and fast-growing community of over 170,000 residents in Far North Queensland. The region is globally renowned for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage rainforest, and rich First Nations cultures. With a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community engagement, Cairns Regional Council is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all Cairns residents, while preserving the natural beauty of the region.

Council's Planning, Growth & Sustainability directorate is vital to shaping the region's future and delivering on Council's strategic plans. The team delivers forward-thinking planning schemes, regulatory services, sustainability programs, and major development assessments that reflect the community's aspirations and expectations. Due to a valued team member relocating, a unique opportunity now exists for a seasoned planning & regulatory executive.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the CEO and as a key member of a high-functioning, cohesive Executive Leadership Team, the Director Planning, Growth & Sustainability will lead a multidisciplinary team of approximately 100 staff across the areas of strategic and statutory planning, sustainability, growth management, development assessment, regulatory services and compliance. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for advancing Council's long-term growth agenda and delivering customer-focused outcomes through effective policy development, stakeholder engagement and operational execution. With a strong focus on enabling liveable, well-planned and sustainable communities, the role will influence Council-wide priorities, contribute to major regional planning decisions, and represent Council at critical forums, including Council meetings and community events. The Director will drive a high-performance and safety-first culture, inspire innovation across service areas, and work closely with the Mayor, Councillors, government agencies, developers and the broader community. The role also holds responsibility for workforce capability development, risk and compliance frameworks, budget oversight, and business transformation initiatives across the Directorate.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a visionary executive with a proven track record in leading complex planning, growth or sustainability portfolios within government, regional authorities or similarly scaled environments. Your ability to drive strategic policy development, manage diverse stakeholder interests and operate effectively within a political context will be critical. You will have deep knowledge of Queensland's planning and regulatory frameworks, paired with commercial and governance acumen. Your collaborative leadership style will reflect Council's values of integrity, accountability and excellence. You will be an inclusive and visible leader who inspires cross-functional collaboration, drives innovation, and builds high-trust relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Why This Role?

This is an outstanding opportunity to shape the sustainable future of one of Australia's most unique and fast-growing regions. With direct impact on community outcomes and high-level influence across the organisation, this executive leadership position offers career purpose, professional challenge and lifestyle in equal measure.

To apply, please click 'Apply Now' and upload your resume and cover letter. For a confidential discussion, please contact Ashleigh Stewart on 0408 856 689 or Emma Wallace on 0432 060 301.

To view the Success Profile for this opportunity, please copy and paste this link: https://bit.ly/3ZldBGS

Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are committed to equal opportunity and to promoting diversity, inclusion, flexibility and accessibility in all that we do. If you require adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Applications close Friday 27 June 2025.