Open Space Program Manager

• Full Time / 9 Day Fortnight / 36 Hours Per Week
• Salary: From $121,839 plus Superannuation
• Position Brief - Open Space Program Manager

  About the team

The Open Space and Asset Management Business Unit manages a diverse network of City assets across beaches, lakes and waterways, sport and recreation and green infrastructure within the broader open space estate. The team is responsible for asset management planning, condition assessment, lifecycle planning and renewal prioritisation to support long-term service outcomes. Working across built and natural assets such as parklands, foreshores and waterway interfaces, applying consistent asset management practices to guide planning, investment decisions, asset management and support delivery by Infrastructure Gold Coast.

About the role

The Open Space Program Manager leads program governance, coordination and assurance across the Open Space portfolio. The role works closely with the Manager Open Space Planning and Asset Management and engages with internal and external stakeholders, including Councillors and industry partners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establishing and maintaining program governance frameworks aligned to the City’s P3M framework
• Overseeing capital programs and integrating Divisional Works across the portfolio
• Ensuring consistent planning, prioritisation and performance reporting
• Coordinating program delivery to support strategic and operational outcomes

Additional responsibilities include:

• Managing the Open Space Program Control Group on behalf of the Business Unit, including coordination of governance, reporting and decision-making processes
• Leading special investigations, community petition responses and emerging issue management to support informed Council decision-making
• Preparation of Council and committee reports
• Leading budget preparation processes for the branch, including forward capital and operational program planning
• Overseeing financial governance, including budget monitoring, forecasting and reporting to ensure alignment with approved program delivery
• Management of the Naming of City Assets requests as they are received
• Provision of specialist advice on major City projects and open space operations.
• Leading business improvement initiatives and strengthening cross-portfolio integration
• Supporting team performance and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture

You will be responsible for contributing to team performance and a positive workplace culture through collaboration and clear accountability.

Please refer to the Position Brief for more information on the position.

We’re looking for people who have:

• A Bachelor Degree of Business Administration or equivalent knowledge
• A Bachelor Degree of Public Administration or equivalent knowledge

• A bachelor’s degree of Asset Management or equivalent knowledge
• highly developed interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including mediation, negotiation, consultation and conflict resolution.
• An ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise in a planning environment.
• A natural affinity for problem solving, critical thinking and proactive in gathering information, analysing data and identifying suitable solutions.
• An ability to manage a high-performing team and foster good relationships between team members, the client and contractor.
• Strong skills in planning and organising others to ensure the timely completion of tasks

 

Be part of shaping the Gold Coast’s future

The Gold Coast is inspired by lifestyle and driven by opportunity. We are the second largest Council in Australia.

We care about being the most flexible government organisation in Australia. We have a range of benefits to help you create the right balance:

• 9-day fortnight

• Flexible work arrangements to suit your lifestyle, including hybrid/work from home options, flexible working hours and locations 

• Personal and professional development courses

• Access to 350+ fitness facilities through Fitness Passport

• 4 free confidential counselling sessions a year for you or an immediate family member

• 1 free nutritionist and financial advice session per year

We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community.

How to apply
To submit your application, please click apply now and complete the application form. You will be required to upload your resume and a cover letter (no more than two pages) outlining how your skills, experience and personal attributes will enable you to be successful in this role. Please note that you may also be asked to provide relevant qualifications, where applicable.

Contact Person Sheree Whillans

Contact Email [email protected]

Closing Date Tuesday 7th July 2026/11:59pm AEDT  

Our selection process may include a one-way video interview via Criteria, a face-to-face or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, reference checks via Xref and additional checks including police checks, employment history checks, qualification checks, pre-employment medical reviews and drug and alcohol testing.

We’re committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture. We take pride in people who align with our high-performance principles. We believe that the diverse makeup of our workforce reflects the community we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities, and encourage candidates to discuss any support or adjustments they may need throughout the recruitment process.