About the Role

We are seeking a passionate and innovative individual with strong networking and team leadership skills to join our team in the position of Place Activation Lead on a Temporary (up to 02 February 2026) full-time basis.

Reporting to the Place and Activation Coordinator, this role works to support a dynamic team in taking a fine grain approach to the management of significant places within our City and supports a clear line of sight from Council’s objectives for vibrant centres through processes and outputs to achieve this outcome.

Current work plans will be focused on supporting delivery of an exciting range of initiatives and activities that are consistent with the Penrith Events Strategy and St Mary's and Penrith Night Time Economy Strategies to strengthen and support the strategic activation and revitalisation of our significant places. The Place Activation Lead will also oversee and support the delivery of placemaking projects including capital works, events and other projects that support a positive place outcome.

Essential Criteria:

• Tertiary qualifications with a focus on Community Engagement, Communication, Marketing, Event Management, Arts Management, Business or Project Management
• Demonstrated experience in providing leadership and support to a team for the purpose of achieving outcomes
• Demonstrated excellent communication, negotiation and relationship building skills
• Demonstrated experience in delivering innovative and effective place-based strategies to enhance and support activation
• Demonstrated experience in procurement of suppliers and contract management
• Capacity to build networks and collaboration for the purpose of delivering outcomes
• Experience in all aspects of event promotion, management and delivery
• Demonstrated experience in the writing of grant submissions and acquittal of grant funding requirements

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of the needs of small business
• Understanding of risk management within a local government context
• Experience in working with artists for the purpose of delivering creative programs
• Experience in the delivery of placemaking projects
• Experience in the marketing and promotion of a broad range of projects and programs

Salary: The salary for this position ranges from $112,849.00 - $130,626.00 per annum, plus 11.5% Superannuation, and will be negotiated commensurate with the skills, qualifications and experience of the preferred applicant.

Access to a Motor Vehicle Allowance is available with this position; however, it is not a condition of employment.

You may be required to undertake background checks, as relevant to the position for which you have applied.

Click Apply Now to view the position description and to find out more information about employment with Penrith City Council. To submit your application, please apply online using the link below.

Applicants are required to submit comprehensive responses to the selection criteria (listed above) as a part of their cover letter application. Applicants who do not meet the essential criteria will not be considered.

Completed applications must be received by 11.55pm on the closing date. Please allow 4 weeks from the closing date for the processing of your application.

For further information about the position, please contact Beau Reid, Place and Activations Program Manager, on 4732 7406.

Council is a Child Safe Organisation, for more information about this please see our website.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.

About us

At Penrith City Council, we’re passionate about people; in our community and in our workplace. We want you to be able to be your best self and we get that work is just one part of your life, so we’re here to support you in the moments that matter. As the winner of the 2020 Local Government Excellence in People and Culture Award and an Excellence Award winner in the 2020 Australian HR Awards, you can be confident in joining a workplace that offers truly outstanding benefits, including:

• A range of flexible work arrangements
• 18 weeks paid maternity leave
• Health and wellbeing leave
• 15 days personal leave
• Significant financial and leave support for undertaking further education
• Diverse salary packaging
• Access to all Ripples venues
• And much, much more!

A position description is attached.

The City Activation, Community and Place department supports a vibrant and inclusive City with thriving, resilient communities. The department sits within Council's City Futures division, which looks at all aspects of planning and delivering a better city for all residents now and into the future.

We are a multidisciplinary team with a wide range of strengths and we work collaboratively to deliver outcomes from community-based events, flagship festivals, place-making and arts initiatives, sector capacity-building, safer communities as well as evidence-based policy with a focus on delivering measurable impact.

We work innovatively with our community to drive positive outcomes that shape the future of our City. In this role, you will join a passionate, outcomes-driven team focused on supporting a thriving City for all.