Manager Communications and Engagement

City of Nedlands; Perth; On-site; AUD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks’ annual leave

Up to 14% superannuation

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

City of Nedlands invites a seasoned communications and engagement leader to transform how the City communicates, engages and advocates for its community. The role reports to the Chief Executive Officer and leads the Communications and Engagement function, shaping strategy and delivering council priorities.

You will establish a contemporary, organisation-wide approach, strengthen advocacy capabilities and build strong stakeholder relationships to enhance reputation and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated senior-level experience developing and implementing strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and advocacy plans.
• Proven ability to lead teams and provide trusted advice to senior leaders.
• Strong written communication, research, and editorial skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and organisation-wide implementation of the Strategic Communications Plan and Advocacy Strategy.
• Develop a Community Engagement Framework and Toolkit for use across the organisation.
• Provide high-level communications, media, stakeholder engagement and reputation advice to the CEO, Mayor and ELT.
• Lead communications for major projects and key City strategies.
• Build strategic relationships with residents, community groups, government agencies and other stakeholders.
• Strengthen advocacy approach to advance organisational objectives.
• Enhance the City’s brand and public profile through effective communications.
• Oversee communications, engagement, marketing, branding, media and intranet activities.

Skills

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Advocacy planning

Leadership & team development

Social media & online engagement

Negotiation & influencing

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/marketing or equivalent

Tools

IAP2 framework

Job description

$175,000 - $185,000 per annum (plus super)

Fixed term contract - 5 years Full-Time | CEO Office

Total Remuneration Package: $175,000 - $185,000 per annum (plus super)

The City of Nedlands is seeking an accomplished communications and stakeholder engagement leader to transform how the City communicates, engages and advocates on behalf of its community. This is an opportunity for an adaptable and outcomes-focused leader to drive meaningful change in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this senior leadership position will lead the Communications and Engagement function and provide trusted advice to the Chief Executive Officer, Mayor, Council and Executive Leadership Team.

The successful candidate will establish a contemporary, organisation-wide approach to communications and engagement, strengthen the City’s advocacy capability, build productive stakeholder relationships and enhance the City’s reputation.

This is a significant opportunity to lead change, shape a contemporary communications and engagement function, build organisational capability and support the delivery of the City’s strategic priorities within a fast-moving and evolving environment.

About the City

Located just 7 kilometres from the Perth CBD and bordered by the Swan River, the City of Nedlands serves a highly engaged community and is committed to quality services, responsible governance and meaningful community participation.

The City is strengthening its communications, engagement and advocacy capability to support better organisational and community outcomes.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will provide strategic leadership across communications, community and stakeholder engagement, advocacy, media, marketing and reputation management.

Working closely with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and the Mayor, you will establish clear strategic direction, improve organisational practice and ensure the City communicates effectively, engages meaningfully and advocates with purpose.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the development and organisation-wide implementation of the City’s Strategic Communications Plan, Stakeholder Management Plan and Advocacy Strategy.
• Develop and implement a Community Engagement Framework and Toolkit for use across the organisation.
• Provide high-level communications, media, stakeholder engagement and reputation advice to the Chief Executive Officer, Mayor, and Executive Leadership Team.
• Lead communications and engagement for major projects, strategic initiatives and the development and review of key City strategies.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with residents, community groups, Traditional Owners, businesses, government agencies, industry partners and other stakeholders.
• Strengthen the City’s advocacy approach and support relationships that advance strategic and organisational objectives.
• Enhance and protect the City’s brand, reputation and public profile through effective communications, media management and stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee the City’s communications, engagement, marketing, branding, media, website and relevant intranet activities.
• Build organisational capability through practical frameworks, advice, training and contemporary engagement practices, including the IAP2 framework.
• Lead, develop and hold accountable a specialist Communications and Engagement team, including effective workforce planning, performance and budget management.

What You’ll Bring

Must-haves

• Demonstrated senior-level experience developing and implementing strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and advocacy plans that deliver meaningful outcomes.
• At least five years’ experience in a comparable communications and engagement role.
• High-level stakeholder management, negotiation, influencing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across an organisation and provide trusted advice to senior leaders and elected representatives.
• Proven experience leading teams, building capability and implementing change.
• Contemporary knowledge of community engagement and consultation methods, including online engagement and social media platforms.
• Experience in a statutory or legislative environment, preferably Local Government.
• Exceptional written communication, research, report-writing and editorial skills.
• A tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, marketing or a related field, or an equivalent combination of substantial relevant experience and professional development.
• A current C Class Driver’s Licence.

Highly regarded

• IAP2 Australasia Certificate in Engagement.

Why Join Us?

• A strategic leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
• The opportunity to lead meaningful organisation-wide change and shape a contemporary communications and engagement function
• A dynamic environment where you can influence organisational priorities, strengthen community relationships and deliver visible outcomes.
• Five weeks’ annual leave.
• Up to 14% superannuation.
• Flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate.
• Ongoing professional development and employee wellbeing initiatives.

The Fine Print

Refer to the Position Description for the full requirements and responsibilities of the role.