Assistant Manager – Acquisition and Disposal
Join one of WA’s most innovative and forward-thinking agencies and be part of something rewarding and exciting.
We are looking for an effective strategic people leader to support the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC). Our Assistant Managers are front-line leaders that deliver valuable services and compliant, solutions-focussed deliverables for our stakeholders.
The Assistant Manager (Acquisitions & Disposals) within the Property Services directorate plays a key role in supporting the strategic development and management of property, land and other asset management functions on behalf of the WAPC. In particular, it handles the voluntary and compulsory acquisition and subsequent disposal of land reserved for a public purpose or surplus to requirements on behalf of the WAPC.
The Assistant Manager role will require substantial experience delivering acquisition and disposal services in a government context. The role will negotiate and purchase land reserved or required for future public purposes under region schemes in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2005 and/or the Land Administration Act 1997. It also transfers reserved land and identifies land surplus to requirements to be rezoned and disposed of according to policies and procedures.
The role will also manage a team that delivers responsive and fit-for-purpose land acquisition and disposal services for the WAPC, including managing Litigation matters, to support the strategic objectives of the WAPC.
Our Perth office is located in the Perth CBD in a convenient location above the Perth Underground rail - close to the Wellington Street Bus Station and City CAT services.
To be successful for this position, you need to demonstrate:
- Demonstrated management of a team within a property land acquisition and disposal context,
- Demonstrated experience to interpret and apply relevant legislation, policies and procedures accurately and appropriately.
- Demonstrated experience in negotiation, conflict resolution and problem solving to achieve effective outcomes within a property land acquisition and disposal context.
- Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly to a diverse range of stakeholders including preparing accurate reports for decision making to support vacant land management.
- Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context as outlined below.
Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to this role and should be demonstrated in the context of Leading Others. Leading Others context is about motivating and enabling others to deliver high quality work that contributes to the agency.
The expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process.
About us
For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is an attractive proposition, please visit the Department page on the DPLH website.
We have a comprehensive Applicant Information Pack to provide information about us, the values of the department and practical guidance on the process for you.
Benefits of Working at DPLH
DPLH offers a broad range of benefits including but not limited to:
- Access to flexible working arrangements including working from home or alternate work locations for enhanced work life balance
- 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options
- Comprehensive learning and professional development opportunities
- 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December
- 3 days additional public sector holidays each year
- Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
- Leave for study, bereavement, foster caring and parenting
- Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services.
How to apply: All applications are submitted online. Select ‘Apply for Job’, located at either top or bottom of the screen, and follow the instructions; you will need to provide a:
- Comprehensive CV that clearly shows your skills, experience, and key achievements, including the details of two referees.
- Maximum two (2) page cover letter demonstrating the first four (4) criteria required to perform the role as described above and in the attached JDF.
Further Information:
If you would like to know more, please give Ben Russ a call on (08) 6551 7949 or email Ben.Russ@dplh.wa.gov.au to discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Ben or seek their assistance with lodging your application.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – For a confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please reach out to Jake Louthean or Barb Culbong from our Aboriginal Employment and Engagement team. You can contact Jake at 0428429486 or Barb at 0408 895 002 or alternatively email us at aboriginalemployment@dplh.wa.gov.au.
The Department is an equal opportunity employer and as a measure to achieve equality under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people (24 years of age and under) and people with disability who meet the requirements of the position, may be prioritised for appointment.
Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our HR Services team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.
We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the below numbers:
TTY/voice calls – 133 677
Speak and Listen – 1300 555 727
SMS relay – 0423 677 767
Special Requirements for this position:
The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for applicants successful to this recruitment process.
To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract.
Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted.
If you experience technical issues when submitting your application, contact ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com, or please call (08) 6551 9419 for any other queries.
Closing Date – Monday 8 June 2026 @ 4:00pm WST
