Principal Urban Designer

  • Urban Strategy
  • Full time
  • Closing on: Jun 8 2026
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  • Employment Status – Permanent, full-time (Commencement Date: July 2026)
  • Days & Hours of Work – Monday – Friday, totalling 38 hours per week
  • Band Level - Band 8 – $133,367 – $149,592 (depending on experience) + 12% superannuation
  • Location –Corporate Centre in Sandringham, with the flexibility to work from home

About Us:
We are a passionate organisation, connected in our shared goal to be ‘sector leading’ in all that we do for the community and each other. Home to over 100,000 residents, Bayside City Council's enduring purpose is building extraordinary places, thriving communities, and better futures.

Bayside Council is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing an accessible and safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, diversity, and inclusion. Our organisational strategy is made up of three priorities,

and we consider these in everything we do: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Customer Experience and Results Matter.

We want everyone to be as proud of what we are achieving – and excited about our future – as we are, and we are committed to working together to achieve this.
About the Role:

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Urban Designer to play a key role in enhancing the quality, character and liveability of Bayside’s public realm. Reporting to the Coordinator, Economic Development, this role operates with a high degree of autonomy while working closely with the Economic Development team and collaborating across Council and with external partners.

You will lead the planning, design and delivery of streetscape projects, civic improvements and public realm initiatives across activity centres and priority precincts—while providing high-quality urban design advice that supports Council decision-making on development proposals, key sites and policy matters. You will also drive place activation and placemaking initiatives, translating local aspirations into innovative, inclusive and enduring projects that strengthen place identity and deliver vibrant public experiences.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will bring the following skills and competencies:

  • Demonstrated experience leading and delivering urban design, streetscape/public realm and place-based projects from concept through to delivery, achieving improved urban outcomes.
  • Strong capability to prepare/oversee frameworks, structure/masterplans, guidelines and place plans that guide quality-built form and public realm outcomes.
  • Proven ability to provide expert statutory urban design advice on permits and development proposals, supporting planners in negotiations and technical discussions.
  • Advanced judgement to resolve complex urban design matters balancing community expectations, strategic priorities, deliverability, cost and risk.
  • Highly developed communication skills—written, verbal and graphic—with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders and explain design outcomes to non-technical audiences.
  • Demonstrated experience managing consultants and/or multidisciplinary teams to deliver quality work on time and to budget.

 Qualifications:

  • Tertiary qualifications in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Town Planning or a related discipline.

Specialist knowledge (highly regarded)

  • Strong understanding of urban design principles (streetscape design, public realm quality, built form interfaces, character/identity and amenity outcomes).
  • An understanding of the Victorian planning system
  • Capability to apply placemaking and place activation principles, translating local needs into deliverable initiatives that increase vibrancy and visitation.
  • Proficiency in relevant tools including Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and industry design tools (e.g. AutoCAD/SketchUp/Rhino) plus GIS/mapping.

Mandatory pre-employment requirements

  • Be willing to undergo and complete a satisfactory criminal history check.
  • Provide or obtain an employment-based Working with Children Check (and maintain validity).
  • Psychometric testing will apply as part of the selection process.

What we can offer you in return

  • A work life/balance through flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
  • Generous leave provisions including accrued time off, parental leave, three days of wellbeing leave per year, cultural and ceremonial leave, gender affirmation leave, plus the ability to purchase up to four weeks additional leave per year.
  • Dedicated Staff Wellbeing programs, events and gym membership discounts.
  • Learning and development opportunities so our people can grow and thrive.
  • A parkland surrounded office that is only a short 500m stroll to the beach.
  • Free onsite staff parking plus hybrid vehicles that employees can book for work-related travel.

How to apply:

  1. To discover more about the role and responsibilities review the Position Description
  2. Provide a cover letter responding to the Key Selection Criteria and what has motivated you to apply for this role
  3. Click Apply to submit your application
  4. If you require reasonable adjustment at any point throughout the recruitment process, then please do let us know by contacting the listed Hiring Manager

Applications close: Monday 8 June 2026, 11:55pm

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity or have any questions, please contact Anthony Jacobs on Mob: 0419 101 409 or via email ajacobs@bayside.vic.gov.au

Bayside City Council prides itself on its values of Respect Each Other, Own It, Work Together and Find Better Ways.

Bayside City Council proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging as well as all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community members with us today.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an equitable, diverse and socially inclusive work environment. We actively encourage applicants with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, people living with disability, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this opportunity.

 

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At Bayside, we have a team of over 650 employees, delivering more than 100 services for our community. We offer a collaborative, innovative workplace and strive to provide sector leading services, programs and facilities. The City of Bayside is 8 km south of Melbourne’s Central Business District, home to over 107,000 residents and 17kms of stunning Port Philip Bay coastline.