Director City Design

Add expected salary to your profile for insights Actively lead a multidisciplinary design studio and shape the vision for urban transformation Drive bold and inspirational plans and strategies that deliver the M2050 Vision and Council Plan Executive Contract - attractive salary package offering Join the City of Melbourne as the Director City Design and lead transformative, city shaping projects that redefine how communities live, work and connect. Take the lead on projects that change how cities live and grow, and accelerate your career in Team Melbourne where we champion innovation and growth. About the role This is a rare opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role at the start of an exciting new chapter. As the Director-City Design, you will lead our multidisciplinary design studio, bringing together expertise in urban design, landscape architecture, and architecture, with a strong focus on urban transformation and initiatives in one of Australia’s leading-edge inner-city councils. You will lead and set the vision, inspire collaboration, and drive innovative approaches that reshape how we work and deliver outcomes. Your exceptional leadership capabilities will empower the team to create bold plans and strategies aligned with the M2050 Vision and the new Council Plan. This is your opportunity to really influence the bigger picture, inspire talented professionals, and create places that matter which will align outcomes with organisational goals and community needs. Located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne is globally recognised as one of the most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities. At the heart of it all is the City of Melbourne – a passionate, purpose-driven organisation where your work truly matters. As part of Team Melbourne , you’ll help deliver what’s most important to the people who live, work, study, visit and invest in our great city. We’re proud champions of diversity, committed to continuous improvement, and driven by a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable future. This is more than just a role – it’s your chance to make a real impact , contribute to something bigger, and shape Melbourne’s future alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team. About you You are an accomplished design leader with extensive experience managing multidisciplinary studios at Executive level. Your expertise spans urban design, landscape architecture, and architecture, with a strong emphasis on urban transformation and city-shaping initiatives. You will be a strategic leader with a clear vision capable of guiding multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative plans and strategies that shape the future of our city. Your leadership style combines creativity with operational excellence, and you excel at mentoring, building strong relationships, and driving change in a supportive, inclusive environment. With a proven record of delivering complex urban projects, you understand how to balance design ambition with practical outcomes. You will be ready to lead at scale, set new ways of working, and make a lasting impact on how our city evolves. You will also bring Demonstrated experience leading high-performing teams, with strong coaching skills to build capability, foster cohesion, and effectively manage conflict or underperformance. Tertiary qualifications in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or Architecture combined with extensive experience delivering high-quality design outcomes. Significant industry expertise and proven achievement in managing large-scale projects and running a multidisciplinary design studio to deliver exceptional public realm outcomes. Strong influencing, communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills, with a track record of achieving effective business outcomes and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Ability to initiate, develop, and implement strategic designs, plans, and programs with high-level stakeholder and organisational buy-in. Benefits of working with us Attractive remuneration & benefits: Excellent pay package with a range of exciting benefits. Flexible working, study assistance & other great corporate discounts. Excellent leave entitlements: Enjoy up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to the government-funded parental leave, with no waiting period to access. Part-time equivalents are also available for added flexibility. Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment. How to apply We'd love to hear how you can make an impact in this role As part of your application, you will be required to: Attach your updated resume Include a cover letter (max one page) outlining your relevant experience and why you're a great fit for this role. Submit your application no later than 11:45pm on Friday 28 November 2025. A few important things to note – don’t miss out Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided. Apply early This role may close sooner than the listed closing date if we find the right candidate — so don’t wait to get your application in. We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and, for most roles, a Working with Children Check. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds. We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you’re contacted for an interview. Unlock job insights Salary match Number of applicants Skills match City of Melbourne is the business, administrative, cultural & recreational hub of Victoria, Australia. The City of Melbourne, as a council, is proud to oversee Melbourne’s city centre and a number of inner-city suburbs. Melbourne is recognised globally for its enviable lifestyle and as Australia’s premier destination for culture, education, shopping, dining, sports, events and festivals. Show more Perks and benefits Creative organisation, making a difference Learning & Development Discounts Excellent leave entitlements Flexible work #J-18808-Ljbffr