Manager – Precinct & Place in Sydney

McArthur is seeking an experienced Manager - Precinct & Place to join a major Australian Government transport infrastructure program during a significant development and planning phase. This is a 12-month contract with the potential for a further 12-month extension, offering the opportunity to contribute to major station, precinct, land-use and place outcomes within a complex, nationally significant infrastructure environment. The role can be based in North Sydney, Newcastle or Canberra, with hybrid working arrangements available.

The opportunity involves working within a multidisciplinary project environment, supporting the planning, development and coordination of station precincts and surrounding place outcomes. You will work across strategic planning, urban design, placemaking, public realm, land use and development investigations, while coordinating closely with government stakeholders, consultants and technical advisers.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating precinct and place activities across a major transport infrastructure program.
• Supporting station and precinct planning, urban design, placemaking, public realm and activation outcomes.
• Undertaking and coordinating strategic land-use planning and development investigations.
• Contributing to future station planning and precinct strategies.
• Supporting design excellence and formal design review processes.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary planning, urban design, property, development and technical advisers.
• Reviewing planning, design and technical material and consolidating consultant inputs.
• Working closely with Commonwealth, State and local government stakeholders.
• Coordinating engagement with councils, landowners, developers and other key stakeholders.
• Supporting alignment between precinct planning, property, transport, design and infrastructure outcomes.
• Managing schedules, actions, deliverables, risks, issues and project dependencies.
• Preparing clear briefings, governance papers, reports and presentations for senior stakeholders.

The confirmed position specifically covers station design, urban design, placemaking, public realm, strategic land use, design excellence and multidisciplinary adviser coordination.

About you

We are looking for an experienced precinct planner, urban planner, urban designer or place professional who can operate confidently within a complex government or major-project environment. You will ideally bring:

• A degree in urban and regional planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, property, development or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in precinct planning, strategic land use, urban design, placemaking, property development or major infrastructure.
• Experience working on station precincts, transport infrastructure, transit-oriented development or major urban development.
• A strong understanding of integrated land-use, planning, design and place outcomes.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary consultants and technical advisers.
• Demonstrated experience working within or closely with Commonwealth or State Government agencies.
• Experience navigating complex government stakeholder environments, including councils, planning authorities and infrastructure agencies.
• The ability to review technical and design information and turn it into clear, practical advice.
• Strong project coordination, stakeholder engagement and written communication skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, project deliverables, risks, schedules and governance requirements.

Previous Federal or State Government experience, or substantial experience delivering major projects for government clients, will be highly regarded. Experience in design excellence, design review, station precinct development, master planning, strategic land-use planning or transit-oriented development will also be highly regarded.

Contract details

• 12-month initial contract.
• Potential extension of up to a further 12 months.
• 37.5 hours per week.
• Proposed commencement in November 2026.
• Locations available in North Sydney, Newcastle or Canberra.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Some project-related travel may be required.
• Australian citizenship is mandatory.
• National Police Check required.
• No existing security clearance is required.