Project Director - Blueprint Livingstone 

Fixed-Term Executive Contract (4 years)| TRP $280,000

Location: Yeppoon | Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Are you ready to shape the future of one of Queensland’s most dynamic regions?

Livingstone Shire Council is on the hunt for a visionary leader to take the reins of our flagship initiative, Blueprint Livingstone. This is not just another planning/infrastructure role. It’s a rare opportunity to lead a region-defining transformation that integrates land use, infrastructure, environment, and community development into one bold, future-ready strategy.

We are looking for someone who does not just tick boxes, they redraw them. A strategic disruptor. A deal-maker with a nose for opportunity. An innovator who can challenge the status quo and bring people along for the ride.

About Us

Livingstone Shire sits along the stunning Capricorn Coast, covering 11,776 square kilometres and home to nearly 41,000 residents. Since its formation in 2013, Council has grown into a values-driven organisation with around 350 staff committed to delivering for our community.

Our region is known for its relaxed coastal lifestyle, pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant community spirit. It’s a place where connection matters, and where nature and opportunity live side by side.

Council’s culture is built on Accountability, Teamwork, Community, Potential, and Positivity; values that guide how we work and how we lead.

Our vision is to be A prosperous region for families, business, and future generations. We’re committed to creating a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive community where people thrive, nature is protected, and innovation drives progress.

Our work is guided by four strategic pillars:

1. Growth to Fund Service Delivery - Strategic investments and development to create sustainable revenue streams that support quality community services.
2. Services That Meet Customer Expectations - Responsive, accessible and high-quality services that address the evolving needs of residents and businesses.
3. Efficiency in Delivery - Streamlined processes, elimination of red tape, and smart resource allocation to maximise value for ratepayers and opportunity for Business diversity and growth.
4. Protecting Our Natural Resources - Creating opportunity to protect and value Livingstone’s natural resources for future generations, whilst encouraging sustainable consumption of resources across our region.

What You Will Be Driving:

This is not a role for someone who likes to sit back and watch or just roll with the status quo. This is for the driver, the one who grabs the wheel, maps the route, and is not afraid to take the scenic detour if it leads to something better.

As Project Director, you will be steering Blueprint Livingstone from vision to reality. You will be the connector, the catalyst, and the compass, bringing together planning, infrastructure, environment, and community development into one powerful, future-ready strategy.

You are not just managing a project. You will be leading a movement.

Here is what you will be driving:

• The strategic direction of Blueprint Livingstone, aligning Council’s long-term vision with real-world delivery.
• High-level advocacy and stakeholder engagement to secure funding, partnerships, and policy alignment.
• Governance and performance frameworks that keep the program sharp, accountable, and impactful.
• A high-performing, cross-functional team that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and results.

What You Will Bring:

You bring clarity in complexity, calm in chaos, and confidence in challenge. You lead from the front, listen with intent, and influence with integrity. You walk into a room full of stakeholders and walk out with alignment, momentum, and a plan.

You understand the politics, the people, and the power of good strategy. And you know that real leadership isn’t just about vision, it’s about delivery.

Here is what you will bring to the driver’s seat:

• Tertiary qualifications in urban/regional planning, civil engineering, infrastructure, or public administration.
• Extensive experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary programs, ideally in government or regional development.
• A track record of turning strategy into action, and action into legacy.
• The courage to challenge conventional thinking and the finesse to make it stick.
• A current driver’s license (because you’ll be everywhere).

Bonus Points For:

• Postgrad qualifications in strategic planning, leadership, or project management.
• Experience in coastal or regional planning, especially in high-growth or sensitive environments.
• A network of government and industry influencers who pick up when you call.

What Is In It For You?

You will be stepping into a role with momentum—and the mandate to take it further. You will have the full backing of the Council, the CEO, direct access to executive leadership, and the freedom to shape a region’s future through bold, integrated planning.

Here is what makes this role stand out:

• Impact at Scale – You will lead a region-defining initiative that will influence how communities grow, connect, and thrive for decades to come.
• Executive Visibility – Reporting directly to the CEO, your work will be front and centre.  Visible, valued, and supported.
• Strategic Autonomy – You will have the space to think big, challenge norms, and drive innovation across planning, infrastructure, and community development.
• A Region Ready for Change – Livingstone is hungry for transformation. You will be working with stakeholders who are engaged, ambitious, and ready to collaborate.
• A Team That Is With You – You will lead a high-performing, cross-functional team that is built for delivery and open to new ways of working.
• A Values-Driven Culture – Council is serious about innovation, sustainability, and community impact. You will be part of a culture that backs bold ideas and smart execution.
• Competitive Package – TRP $280,000, plus the intangible reward of leading something truly meaningful.

 

This is your chance to lead a once-in-a-generation project, build internal capability, and leave a legacy that lasts well beyond your tenure.

Want to find out more? Contact Alastair Dawson via email, alastair.dawson@livingstone.qld.gov.au 

 

To apply for this position please address the selection criteria on the recruitment portal and supply a copy of your resume and any relevant qualifications/tickets or licences.

 

Applications close midnight Monday, 17 November 2025 (AEST).

Livingstone Shire Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.