Sport and Recreation Strategic Planning Lead

• Hybrid Working #LI-Hybrid
• Full time permanent role (based on38 hours per week)
• Monthly RDO
• Salary: $114k $128k Super
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

About Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175000 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 Melbournes 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 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 Melbournes 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

Are you passionate about shaping inclusive accessible and active communities through strategic planning

Merri-bek City Council is seeking a Sport and Recreation Strategic Planning lead to deliver innovative and evidence-based planning for the future of sport and recreation across the municipality.

In this role youll collaborate with sporting clubs community organisations and government stakeholders to develop long-term strategies and masterplans. Youll ensure our sport and recreation policies reflect the needs of diverse communities support equity and inclusion and respond to emerging trends in participation.

As part of the Recreation Services Unit youll have the opportunity to work on major infrastructure planning advocacy policy development and community engagement that supports Merri-beks Human Rights Policy Gender Equality Act and commitment to sustainability.

• Drive strategic planning and master planning for sport and recreation
• Lead policy and strategy development to support participation and inclusion
• Analyse demographic and participation trends to identify service gaps
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders including clubs and residents
• Provide planning and policy advice to Council and collaborate across departments
• Contribute to long-term capital works planning and grant development

Skills and experience require to perform the role

• Tertiary qualifications in Recreation Planning Community Development or a related field
• Proven experience in sport and recreation planning strategy or policy development
• Strong skills in stakeholder engagement consultation and community development
• Demonstrated knowledge of inclusion and equity principles in sport and active recreation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management and analytical abilities
• Current Victorian Drivers Licence

What the role can offer

• Monthly RDO
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

Further support offered 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 Christina Grayland on.

Applications close: 11:30pm Wednesday 18 February 2026.

Before submitting an application please view the Position Description.

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

How to apply

Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.

*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.

Please note that applications must only be submitted online applications will not be accepted via email.

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.

Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.

We encourage everyone to apply and discuss opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience. Council is committed to removing barriers and access to employment where possible at any point in the recruitment onboarding and during your time at Council. For further information regarding access or modifications you may require for a recruitment process please contact Danni Jovanovic Recruitment Business Partner on

Our Commitment

In May 2021 Merri-bek Council adopted a revisedStatement of Commitmentto 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 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 ourChild Safety Commitment Statementon our website.