Planning Director

A Snapshot 

As the APAC Planning Director, you will report to the VP of Development and work closely with Development, Construction, Technology and Site Selection Teams teams, making your mark in several ways: 

• Develop and provide strategic advice on the planning and execution of our projects around the APAC region.  

• Manage and lead the site assessments and planning applications, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the timely and positive planning outcomes.  

• Provide leadership and support on all planning matters.  

Your Day to Day 

• Develop, manage and mentor a high performing team.  

• Onboard, manage and develop third party consultants and specialists to support. 

• Develop and advise on planning strategies to ensure we remain the leader in our industry in all markets.  

• Ensure compliance to local planning requirements.  

• Develop and implement reporting, framework, processes and procedures to ensure strong governance.  

• Develop, manage and maintain key relationships with government agencies, regulatory authorities and consultants, to provide fast and reliable advice on planning and property matters 

• Manage the timely preparation, review and lodgement of all documents relating to planning applications in accordance with planning legislation, policies, and guidelines, to obtain all necessary permits and approvals  

• Review and report on strategic and statutory planning advice impacting our developments across APAC 

• Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring to Planners, Development and Project Managers and be the point of escalation for any planning issues. 

• Support project stakeholders to track delivery, monitor progress, identify risks and opportunities, and mitigate delays on planning advice, permitting and approval timelines 

• Collaborate and provide guidance to Site Selection team on planning due diligence and provide pre-acquisition advice on risks and opportunities, to optimise development outcomes 

• Engage with authorities and regulatory bodies as a technical lead to achieve best possible project outcomes 

• Provide regular reporting to track delivery, updates and presentations to senior management and internal stakeholders including planning strategy, progress reporting, risk assessments, investment committees, and business case development. 

Minimum Requirements:  

• 10 years experience working if the industry and a recognised tertiary qualification in planning.  

• 5 years experience managing high performing teams.  

• Knowledge and proficiency in Australian planning legislation, policies, and guidelines, particularly NSW and VIC. 

• Experience in obtaining planning approvals.  

• Strong understanding and interpretation of planning instruments and demonstrated knowledge of statutory requirements and policies.  

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively manage, collaborate, consult, advise, influence and negotiate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, local councils, and statutory authorities 

• Ability to work across multiple teams and manage multiple simultaneous projects requiring frequent communication, problem solving, risk and time management deliverables. 

• Strong analytical, commercial and problem-solving skills to oversee and apply planning legislation 

• Ability and willingness to think outside the square, be innovative and solutions orientated to drive safety, quality, time, and cost outcomes 

• Professional attitude with persuasive skills in making things happen and ability to influence positive planning outcomes 

• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills, enabling the establishment of relationships and credibility with both internal and external stakeholders. 

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Outlook, Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Autocad, and ArcGIS 

• Willingness to travel throughout Asia-Pacific 

Preferred Requirements:  

• 10 years experience managing high performing teams.  

• Leadership experience in developing, managing and mentoring high performing team of planners across APAC. 

• Previous experience working in Asia-Pacific including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.