Office of the Queensland Government Architect
Department of Housing and Public Works
Director, Architecture and Urban Design
Applications Close 16 March 2026
Design leadership where judgement matters
The Office of the Queensland Government Architect
The Office of the Queensland Government Architect is the Queensland Government’s centre of excellence for architecture, urban design and design quality.
Working across government, industry and the community, the office provides independent design leadership, advocacy and strategic advice to support well-designed, healthy and sustainable environments. Its work spans housing, health, education, transport, cultural infrastructure and the public realm, influencing both public and private development outcomes.
About the role
Reporting to the Queensland Government Architect, the Director, Architecture and Urban Design is a senior advisory role with whole of government reach.
The role leads a curated portfolio of complex, city shaping work rather than a single agency workload. The focus is on early stage visioning, master planning, briefing and design review, where considered intervention can meaningfully improve outcomes.
The position requires confidence operating independently, often as the sole design voice in the room. The Director is expected to communicate clearly, exercise sound judgement and engage constructively with senior executives, Ministers, agencies and industry. Success is measured not by what is personally designed, but by the quality of outcomes enabled through influence, guidance and advocacy.
Mary’s Place, Dalby
Blight Rayner with Western Downs Regional Council
Image Credit: Scott Burrows
Glasshouse Theatre, South Brisbane
Blight Rayner + Snøhetta
Image Credit: Leah Lang
What you will bring
- You are an experienced architect with a strong foundation in urban design and the maturity to operate beyond project delivery.
- Through your career, you have developed the judgement required to advise at senior levels and the confidence to hold space in complex conversations. You understand how design quality, policy, planning and delivery constraints intersect, and you can translate that complexity into clear, practical advice for non-design audiences.
- You bring credibility, not ego. You are able to influence without directing, challenge without alienating, and build trust across disciplines, agencies and sectors. You understand that in government, progress is often incremental and influence is earned over time.
- You are motivated by public value and long-term impact. You are interested in shaping places at scale, improving outcomes through early intervention, advocacy and leadership rather than personal authorship.
- You hold a tertiary qualification in architecture and are registered, or eligible for registration, as an Architect in Queensland. You bring substantial industry experience, ideally in senior roles within government, city architecture offices or leading design practices with a strong public and urban portfolio.
Key responsibilities
- Lead architecture and urban design initiatives under the direction of the Queensland Government Architect
- Provide senior design leadership across whole-of-government urban policy, precinct planning and major project pipelines
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior executives and Ministers on architecture, urban design and city-shaping initiatives
- Lead and participate in design reviews for government and selected private sector projects
- Shape early-stage visioning, master planning and project briefing to embed high-quality urban design outcomes
- Contribute to regional plans, design frameworks and guidelines influencing development outcomes
- Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with government agencies, industry leaders and the broader design community
- Champion design advocacy initiatives that raise the profile and understanding of design quality across Queensland
Princess Street, Bundaberg East
Cox Architecture
Image Credit: Department of Housing and Public Works
Why join us
- Shape the quality of Queensland’s built environment through architecture and urban design leadership at a strategic level
- Work across housing, health, education, transport, cultural infrastructure and the public realm
- Provide trusted advice to senior decision-makers on complex design, urban and precinct-scale challenges
- Influence projects at the earliest stages, where good design has the greatest impact
- Contribute to policy, frameworks and guidance that affect both public and private development outcomes
- Be part of a small, highly respected office with strong credibility across government and industry
A leadership opportunity with purpose
This is a role for a design leader who sees architecture and urban design as a public responsibility as much as a professional discipline.
The work is rarely about individual projects and never about personal profiles. It is about improving the decisions that shape Queensland’s cities, regions and communities, often quietly and always collaboratively.
If you are motivated by stewardship, sound judgement and long-term public value, and you are ready to contribute your experience at the centre of government, this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
Applicant Resources
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit your resume and cover letter (no more than 2 pages in word format) by selecting the “apply now” function.
Applications Close Monday 16 March 2026
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