Brisbane City Council
is now recruiting for
General Manager, City Strategy and Policy
Applications close: Midnight, Sunday 12th July 2026
About the Role
General Manager, City Strategy and Policy
The General Manager of the City Strategy and Policy branch within City Planning and Economic Development Services ensures the branch operates as Council’s centre of excellence for strategy and policy. Working with Council’s Civic Cabinet Chairs to develop new initiatives delivering on their priorities as well as reviewing and updating existing medium and long-term strategies as needed. You will be responsible for ensuring the integration of expertise, evidence, and innovation into strategies and policies that deliver on plans and initiatives of the Council.
In this role, you will oversee three core teams to advance city-wide outcomes as determined by the Council:
The City Strategy team leads/owns flagship initiatives such as Brisbane Vision and the Corporate Plan, embedding frameworks to ensure the Council’s policies and strategies are implemented.
The City Policy and Local Laws team develops and delivers policies and local laws aligned with broader city goals based on legislative requirements and Council’s priorities.
The City Research, Modelling and Analytics team provides essential data, evidence, and performance insights to inform forward-looking decisions.
Through leadership of this collective effort, the General Manager ensures strategic alignment, integration, and high performance across the branch’s functions. The General Manager will be responsible for embedding robust-policy and strategy development methodology using evidence and data to inform decision-making and integrated city outcomes.
Collaborating with internal stakeholders and liaising with external stakeholders as required, the General Manager strengthens organisational capability through the development of strategies and policies.
Key Accountabilities
Deliver policy outcomes based on vision and guidance set by Civic Cabinet.
Lead the development and delivery of medium- to long-term, city-shaping strategies and plans that align with Council’s strategic objectives and Brisbane’s sustainable growth and liveability.
Establish and maintain the branch as Council’s centre of excellence for strategy and policy, fostering organisational capability, consistency and innovation.
Oversee the branch’s senior leaders to ensure high performance, collaboration, and alignment with Council’s broader goals. Actively contribute to Council’s executive leadership by participating in strategy, planning, and organisation-wide initiatives to deliver the strategic vision for Brisbane.
Direct the creation and implementation of key initiatives, including Brisbane Vision and the Corporate Plan, to guide city-wide planning and deliver future-focused outcomes.
Embed a strong foundation of research, data modelling, and performance analytics to inform strategic planning, local laws and policy development.
Collaborate across Council and with external stakeholders to embed a consistent policy and legislative framework development cycle, including implementation learnings, emerging issues and opportunities.
Build partnerships and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to integrate efforts, align priorities, and deliver city-shaping outcomes.
Facilitate organisation-wide collaboration to integrate medium- and long-term planning initiatives, driving consistency and alignment across Council’s objectives. Foster a culture of innovative approaches into strategy and policy design.
Develop and inspire a high-performing, inclusive workforce by fostering a positive culture, supporting capability development and ensuring alignment with Council’s strategic priorities. Ensure the effective allocation of resources, programs, and priorities to drive innovative, impactful initiatives aligned with Brisbane’s city-shaping goals.
Ensure all branch operations and initiatives comply with statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements, incorporating effective governance and risk management practices.
What Success Looks Like
Within the context of the responsibilities described previously, the ideal applicant will be someone who has:
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Demonstrated capability, knowledge, experience and achievements in:
Leading organisational performance to deliver coordinated, responsive, and customer-focused outcomes.
Inclusive and people-focused leadership style in line with Council’s Leadership Blueprint, with demonstrated success in building high-performing, values-led teams and positive workplace cultures.
Being able to successfully work with elected representatives to deliver on their vision and accept their guidance.
Maintaining and developing relationships across organisational boundaries to drive consistent and seamless delivery and the direction of resources to corporate priorities
Communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management, with the ability to collaborate and influence across government, industry and community.
Managing complex and contentious issues with high sensitivity and competing stakeholder interests
Leading thinking about initiatives to create public value.
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Demonstrated capability, knowledge, experience and achievements in:
Financial and risk management with experience overseeing operational budgets, regulatory compliance and governance in high risk, high accountability settings.
Developing an engaged, productive, and customer-focused workforce.
Delivering systems and processes which deliver value to the organisation and to the customer.
Planning the resourcing of services with appropriate risk management to meet demand within budget.
Building new collaborative models with suppliers and program partners to improve public value.
Demonstrating a focus on shared outcomes, negotiating budget and resources across the organisation, and submitting joint budget proposals.
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Demonstrated ability to undertake broad executive leadership beyond the specific requirements of the position, across the organisation, including the ability to:
Collaborate and share accountability across organisational boundaries
Participate in strategic decision making; represent Brisbane City Council to the community, other levels of Government and to industry.
Own and champion corporate values, strategies, policy, and directions, particularly: Council values and behaviours, Code of Conduct, workplace justice, diversity and inclusion, Zero Harm and flexible work arrangements.
Understand governance frameworks, statutory and regulatory compliance, including legislation relevant to local government operations particularly the City of Brisbane Act 2010 and associated regulations, Council Ordinances and Local Laws
Champion the strategic corporate management agendas on issues such as customer service, service delivery, change management and people management, and integrate these principles into the operation of the business.
During disaster events, be available to perform the role of Incident Controller within the Local Disaster Coordination Centre to provide leadership and implement strategic directions from the Local Disaster Management Group.
Essential at recruitment requirements:
Due to the requirements of this role criminal history and business history checks will be undertaken on preferred applicants. A criminal history does not necessarily preclude an applicant from appointment.
Desirable role-specific requirements:
Relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy or administration, economics, urban or transport planning
Experience in developing policies for real world application and setting up delivery arms of the Council for success.
A thorough understanding of Queensland’s legislative framework as it applies to Local Governments and creation of local laws, regulations and policies.
Extensive experience leading complex organisation-wide strategy and policy functions within a large public-sector or service-focussed organisation and matrix operating environment.
How to Apply
Brisbane City Council are committed to inclusive and diverse practices, including recruitment and selection which ensures people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, women, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equal opportunity to apply and participate.
Candidates who represent diverse backgrounds are encouraged to submit an application.
To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:
A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on how you align with the core accountabilities outlined in the role statement below.
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.
If you need assistance with your application please reach out to us.
Applications close: Midnight, Sunday 12th July 2026
Confidential Enquiries
KERRY LARKIN
Senior Associate
JANE ELLIS
Managing Partner