Community & Stakeholder Specialist

Origin Energy; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

21 weeks parental leave

Flexible return options

Up to four additional weeks of leave

Origin Foundation community programs

Discounted electricity, gas, internet

EV car subscriptions

Job summary

Origin Energy is seeking a Community & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist based at Eraring Power Station. You will lead the engagement program, build trusted relationships with the local community, landholders and government, and support the closure, demolition and rehabilitation of Eraring.

In this on-site role, you’ll design forums and briefings, manage feedback, and identify risks. The position offers meaningful, high-visibility work in Australia’s energy transition.

Qualifications

• Experience in stakeholder engagement or community relations on complex infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of NSW planning approval processes (SSD preferred).
• Excellent relationship-building, facilitation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Local knowledge of Eraring/Hunter region is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and evolve the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Eraring closure.
• Build relationships with landholders, local government, Traditional Owners.
• Design and run engagement activities: forums, briefings, events.
• Identify social licence risks and support mitigation with the project team.
• Develop clear communications and represent Origin at events.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Community relations

Facilitation

Conflict resolution

Relationship building

Education

Tertiary qualification in communications

Job description

• Lead community engagement on one of energy's biggest transitions
• Permanent, full-time opportunity
• Based at Eraring Power Station

• Lead community engagement on one of energy's biggest transitions
• Permanent, full-time opportunity
• Based at Eraring Power Station

Join a team that's All Kinds of Useful

At Origin, being useful is more than a tagline - it's how we approach work every day. As a collective, we're a team that thrives on finding better ways, working together, and owning our impact. From powering homes to delivering award-winning internet and helping to lead Australia’s energy transition. If you're driven by purpose and excited to be part of something bigger, we’d love to have you on the journey.

About the role:

This is a rare opportunity to play a lead role in one of the energy sector's most significant transitions. As Community & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, you'll be a trusted face of Origin at Eraring, building genuine relationships with the local community while supporting the approvals, closure, demolition and rehabilitation of the power station. It's meaningful, high-visibility work that will shape how the Hunter region experiences this next chapter.

Why this role matters?

• Deliver and evolve the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan for the Eraring closure, keeping engagement aligned with State Significant Development guidelines and consent conditions.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with landholders, community groups, local government, Traditional Owners and regional institutions.
• Design and run engagement activities - community forums, briefings, events and one-on-one conversations - to share project updates, manage expectations and capture feedback.
• Identify emerging social licence and reputational risks, providing SME advice and supporting mitigation strategies alongside the project team.
• Develop clear, consistent communications and engagement collateral, and represent Origin at public and high-visibility stakeholder events.

What will you bring?

• Experience in stakeholder engagement, community relations or social performance, ideally on complex or large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Solid understanding of NSW planning approval processes, ideally with SSD project experience.
• Strong relationship-building, facilitation and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive or opposing views calmly and confidently.
• Local knowledge of the Eraring / Hunter region community is highly valued
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (community development, planning, communications or similar); IAP2/Engagement Institute certification is a bonus.

So, why join us?

• 21 weeks of paid parental leave for primary carers with flexible return options.
• Thrive in a culture of personal and professional growth.
• Purchase up to four additional weeks of leave annually.
• Engage in opportunities through the Origin Foundation to support your community.
• Powering your career with unbeatable perks - Get discounted electricity, gas, and internet as an Origin employee.
• Explore unique and cost-effective employee EV Car subscriptions.

For more information, please contact Kelly Hansen - , quote Requisition ID 90200.

Origin - Where good change happens

At Origin, we’re powered by people who believe in creating change.

We are committed to fostering a diverse, gender equitable workforce, where everyone is welcome, and all applications are evaluated on merit and potential.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people living with disabilities, culturally diverse people, any stage in life, people with intersex variations and people within LGBTQ+ communities, including trans and gender diverse.

Enjoy a challenging career in an exciting industry where you can grow and explore your potential. If you think you have transferable skills, an appetite to learn and would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s a little about us: https://www.originenergy.com.au/about/careers/

Background checks may be required to determine your suitability for this position as part of the recruitment process and during your employment. These checks may include police checks, AusCheck, medical assessment and/or drug and alcohol testing.

Please note unsolicited CVs from agencies will not be accepted.

Origin recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.

Function: Health, Safety & Environment