Team Leader Environmentally Sustainable Development

Team Leader Environmentally Sustainable Development

Job No: MER604

Location: Coburg

• Full time permanent role (based on 38 hours per week) with monthly RDO
• Be part of one of the nation’s leading local governments in Environmentally Sustainable Development
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 195,125 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long‑term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

About the role

Merri-bek City Council is offering a fantastic opportunity for a sustainability or planning professional to input to our dynamic Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Team. Reporting to the Unit Manager of Sustainable Built Environment, this role is an integral position to support our built environment to respond to the climate emergency.

Merri-bek has a strong reputation as a leader in Environmentally Sustainable Development, particularly in embedding sustainability outcomes through the planning system, development assessment and built environment projects. This role will play an important part in maintaining and strengthening that profile by leading a skilled ESD team, driving continuous improvement, and supporting high‑quality outcomes across Council and developer‑led projects.

To ensure success, we are seeking a professional with a proven background in delivering sustainable outcomes in the built environment including through the planning scheme and development application process. You will have the ability to collaborate and influence internal and external stakeholders to work towards excellence in ESD outcomes.

The successful candidate will be confident in leading constructive and assertive negotiations with developers, consultants and internal stakeholders, particularly on complex planning referrals, major development applications and developer‑led assets. You will be someone who can balance technical rigour with practical problem‑solving, helping secure strong sustainability outcomes while supporting positive working relationships. You will also proactively identify and remove barriers to achieving best‑practice sustainability outcomes, including influencing internal processes, decision‑making and standards.

Key Skills and Experience

• Lead a small team of ESD professionals.
• Qualifications relevant to the applicable field.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Environmentally Sustainable Development.
• Working knowledge of planning and building legislation and ability to provide technical advice on sustainability issues.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, including the ability to work confidently with developers, consultants, internal stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams to resolve complex issues and secure improved ESD outcomes.
• Experience providing advice on complex planning referrals, major development applications and/or developer‑led built environment projects or assets.
• Demonstrated project‑management skills.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills.

What the role can offer

• Monthly or fortnightly RDO.
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development.
• Salary sacrifice options.
• A real sense of work‑life balance & flexible work options.
• The opportunity to contribute to a high‑performing ESD function within a Council recognised for leadership in sustainable development.
• Wellness programmes.

Additional Support for our staff

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave.
• Purchase leave.
• Ceremonial leave.
• Gender affirmation leave.
• Family violence leave.

For further information about this position please contact Victoria Hart – Manager Sustainability and Climate on or

Applications close: 11:30pm, Friday, 24 July 2026. In the event a high volume of applications is received, the Council reserves the right to close this advertisement before the current closing date.

Please note that when applying for this role you may be required to attach your valid Driver’s Licence and WWCC. Please have this ready when completing your application.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Our Commitment

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.