Vacancy Details


Head of Transport 

  • Senior Executive Officer role with market competitive salary plus 11.5% Super
  • Full time permanent opportunity delivering community projects that will have a positive impact on the City of Port Phillip
  • Located at St Kilda Town Hall, flexible working arrangements possible

About City of Port Phillip

We are a vibrant and diverse inner-city council stretching 20kms from South to Port Melbourne along the stunning bay beaches down to Elwood and out to St Kilda East with around 1000 people who all work together to deliver more than 100 programs and services to our engaged community of residents, businesses and visitors. What does that mean? Think, childcare, libraries, parks, recreation, waste & recycling collection, road maintenance, family and youth services, property & assets, city planning & development, customer experience, digital technology, governance, people, culture and safety, and of course South Melbourne Market! City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed Child Safe organisation.

What’s the role all about

Join the City Growth and Development Division as the Head of Transport, reporting to the Manager City Planning and Sustainability. In this key role, you will lead an engaged and experienced team of transport professionals to design and deliver a range of significant projects that relate to all transport modes, including vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle and public transport systems.  You will manage and coordinate two key teams; the Strategic Transport team and the Transport Safety Engineering Team.  

This role is an exciting opportunity to oversee delivery of strategic, complex and innovative projects in one of Melbourne’s most vibrant, diverse and densely populated municipalities.  You will have the opportunity to lead senior strategic discussions to help drive long term and important outcomes for the community.  

To be successful in this role you will bring extensive leadership experience in a similarly complex and politically sensitive environment.  As a leader, you will bring excellent interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrate sound judgement decision making and problem-solving skills and have a proven track record of delivery.  

This is an opportunity to be part of developing and enhancing our transport infrastructure now and for the future needs of our liveable and vibrant city. Your leadership will contribute to a future which is sustainable, resilient to climate change, safe and meets the needs of the community. 

What you might do

  • Lead and deliver strategic, complex, and high-profile projects that contribute to the delivery of the Council Plan and effective transport planning and road safety. 
  • Lead, mentor and inspire two transport teams to ensure Council’s transport management and planning functions are met and incorporate contemporary management and professional standards.
  • Compose briefing papers, correspondence, strategy documents and other materials necessary to maintain stakeholder relationships and to progress Council priorities.
  • Contribute to a positive work place culture, with a focus on people management with care and empathy, strong communication and emotional intelligence.
  • Provide and promote a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
  • Manage relationships with key external stakeholders and bodies including State Government.

Who we are looking for

  • Proven leadership experience with the ability to motivate staff, and build high performing teams that are aligned, engaged, and collaborative.
  • Significant experience with project management and post implementation review of transport projects, strategies and activities.
  • High level of professional knowledge of transport and parking management practices and demonstrated experience to think strategically, analyse complex situations and develop innovative and practical solutions in an effective, fair, and transparent manner. 
  • Sound judgement, political awareness and demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a political environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop positive rapport and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve strategic goals through negotiation, persuasion, and the use of superior interpersonal skills.
  • Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate complex issues and ideas to a variety of audiences in a busy, complex, and political environment
  • Qualifications in Transport, Public Policy or related field. 

Our work environment

We love what we do and are all proud to work at the City of Port Phillip. Yes, we are local council, and we are one with vibrancy, passion and ambition who are a welcoming, health conscious, diverse and inclusive. Our Main location at the iconic St Kilda Town Hall offers a heritage and modern open plan hub to work from where people can collaborate and develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community.

Proudly as one we all work together, and grow together, thinking creatively and strategically with courage, integrity, and accountability to put our community first.

What’s in it for you

  • Be supported and empowered to be your best by a passionate leadership team that encourages collaboration and innovation
  • Our work hubs are located close to our very own Child Care centres making accessing childcare a breeze!
  • Career development opportunities within your team and/or across council plus a great study assistance allowance of up to $4000 per year per person and 6 hours per week study leave (on approved courses only)
  • Flexible working conditions, an active social club, supportive health and wellbeing program, and a well- regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Our very own Pride Network, that helps create an environment where each and every person can feel safe, welcomed, seen, and supported to bring their whole selves to work
  • 20 weeks paid parental leave and our pioneering 24 weeks paid leave for single parents
  • Access to novated leasing and salary sacrificed technology

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations      

Pre-employment screening will apply to all appointments.  

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

  • Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences,
  • Sufficient proof of their right to work in Australia, and                                                       
  • Sufficient proof of their identity. 
  • Complete a National Police Check completed via City of Port Phillip’s Provider.
  • Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation).  

So, what’s next?

Hit that APPLY button now!

Whether you think you meet all the requirements or not, we strongly encourage you to apply, as we take a holistic approach to considering your skills, life experience, and alignment to our key selection criteria. You’ve got this!

Please submit;

  • Resume – latest and detailed version
  • Cover letter no longer than 2 pages that captures your response to the Key Selection Criteria (KSC) found on the Positions Description (PD).

Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered.

All applicants must provide a separate cover letter in response to the key selection criteria which is located on the last page of the position description. The cover letter should be no longer than 2 pages and include each heading in the Key Selection Criteria.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Fiona van der Hoeven – Manager City Planning and Sustainability via email fiona.vanderhoeven@portphillip.vic.gov.au or via phone 0421 959 574.

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 11 August 2024 

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nation and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability.

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact Shane Turner (Recruitment Advisor) on phone 0421 757 521 or email: recruitment@portphillip.vic.gov.au

South Melbourne > Port Melbourne > Albert Park > Middle Park > St Kilda > Balaclava > Ripponlea > Elwood