Design Services Lead (4651)
Job No:
COH23787
Location:
Hobart, TAS
Group and Team: Capital Projects and Design Services
Location: Council Centre
Employment status: Permanent Full-time 1.0 FTE
Classification: Municipal Officer Level 6
Agreement: Hobart City Council Enterprise Agreement 2024
Salary range: $136,444 to $146,512 per annum + 13.5% superannuation.
About the role
This role contributes to the success of the City by playing a critical leadership role in shaping the future of Hobart through the planning and delivery of high-quality, sustainable capital works programs. Reporting to the Manager Capital Projects, this role leads the Design Services Team and is responsible for the strategic design and delivery of municipal infrastructure and built environment projects that enhance liveability, connectivity, and community outcomes across the city.
The role provides expert design leadership across a diverse portfolio of capital projects and ensures that designs are innovative, safe, environmentally responsible, and aligned with Council strategies, budgets, standards, and community expectations.
Key accountabilities include:
- Leading and managing the Design Services Team to deliver high-quality design outcomes across mid to large-scale capital works programs
- Providing strategic and professional design advice across Council, including to senior leaders and elected members
- Ensuring designs align with Council strategies, future growth planning, budgets, and regulatory requirements
- Driving collaboration across internal teams, external consultants, government agencies, and community stakeholders
- Overseeing design governance, standards, quality, safety, and compliance with legislative and Australian Standards
- Managing design resources, consultants, and operational budgets to ensure value for money and timely delivery
- Building a high-performance, inclusive team culture through effective leadership, mentoring, and capability development
Learn more about the role in the position description: Design Services Lead Position Description
About you
You are a senior design or engineering leader with extensive experience delivering complex capital works programs, ideally within a local government or similarly complex environment. You bring strong technical credibility combined with strategic thinking, political awareness, and a community-focused mindset.
You have demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and working across civil, structural, architectural, landscape, and building design disciplines. You are comfortable navigating competing priorities, stakeholder expectations, and legislative frameworks while maintaining a clear focus on quality, safety, sustainability, and value.
You will also bring:
- A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent, with professional registration or the ability to achieve Chartered Engineer status within six months
- Strong experience in municipal infrastructure design, including roads, stormwater, traffic, and waterway assets
- Proven ability to lead and integrate multidisciplinary design inputs into cohesive project outcomes
- Sound knowledge of contracts, project management practices, safety and environmental legislation, and design standards
- Highly developed communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership capability
- Experience using relevant design software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or similar
- A commitment to Council values, ethical leadership, and continuous improvement
About us
The City of Hobart offers something for everyone, with connections between nature, history, culture, businesses and each other. We are proud to provide a range of services and facilities that support the wellbeing, safety and participation of the community as well as continuously look to improve and embrace new approaches to achieve better outcomes for all. With an industrious and diversified economy, wherever your skills, talents and passions lie, we can offer you the opportunity to have a rewarding career with ongoing learning and development opportunities.
We recognise contributions to our workforce and offer:
- Above Award wages and Employer Superannuation at 13.5% with salary sacrifice options.
- Flexible work arrangements.
- A wide range of leave entitlements.
- Health and Wellness programs, including onsite gyms.
- Discounted membership at Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre.
- Ability to purchase additional leave after 12 months of service.
- An Employee Assistance Program that offers onsite visits.
- Corporate Health Plan discounts with BUPA, St. Lukes and Medibank.
Learn more about what the City of Hobart can offer you.
The City of Hobart is committed to building an inclusive community and workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, ages and identities.
City of Hobart has a strong commitment to health and safety. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment background checks. These will include reference checks, verification of qualifications, National Criminal History record check, and Medical Assessment including drug and alcohol testing.
Learn more about our vision, mission and values.
How to apply
If you're passionate about our beautiful city and ready to take on a role that challenges and rewards, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today!
If you require any further information specific to this role please contact Kristian Heighway, Manager Capital Projects, on 0491 285 597 or email kristian.heighway@hobartcity.com.au
All applications must be made in the online portal, and you can save your application as you progress through the stages until you submit your final application. If you have any issues with submitting your application, please email details of the issue to recruitment@hobartcity.com.au. Please note that we do not accept applications via email or after the position has closed so if you have issues submitting your application, please contact us prior to the closing time.
Applications close 11:59 pm Sunday 26 April 2025.
Before you begin
You will need to read the position description prior to commencing your application as you will be required to address the key duties, skills and knowledge for this role in 600 words or less.
Please ensure you have copies of your current resume and relevant qualification/s ready to attach at the end of your application.
To protect privacy and prevent fraud, do not upload or email personal documents such as Driver’s licences, passports, or personal tax and superannuation details. Instead:
- Applicants are required to declare they hold the required documentation/licence, and
- Originals will be sighted by People and Culture on the first day of work as a condition of employment.
Selection process
Candidates are initially selected for interview based on the details provided in their application.
The City of Hobart assesses all applications based on merit.
Positions are filled, based on how well the successful candidate meets the requirements of the position.
Learn more about the selection process on our website.
