Manager Community Stakeholder Engagement

Talenza; Sydney; On-site; AUD 157,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The NSW Government client seeks an experienced Manager, Community & Stakeholder Engagement to lead strategic engagement initiatives that involve communities and stakeholders in major programs. You will provide trusted advice to senior leadership and embed community perspectives into decision-making.

You will manage a team of engagement professionals, oversee governance and reporting, and drive data-driven communication strategies to enhance outcomes across multiple initiatives.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in community and stakeholder engagement within complex government, infrastructure or service delivery.
• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Media, Public Relations, Marketing or related discipline.
• Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering engagement programs that build community trust.
• Strong experience developing and implementing strategic communication and engagement frameworks, including risk management.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills with the ability to manage sensitive relationships.
• Experience providing strategic advice to senior executives on community sentiment and reputational considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, delivery and evaluation of strategic engagement plans across major programs.
• Provide high-level advice to senior leadership on sentiment, engagement strategies, and reputational risks.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to align messaging and outcomes.
• Develop strategic narratives and frameworks that demonstrate value of initiatives for customers and the community.
• Apply data-driven practices to identify trends, risks and opportunities and improve engagement outcomes.
• Lead proactive issues management and support crisis communication with executive teams.
• Manage and develop high-performing engagement teams and oversee contractor engagements.
• Establish governance, reporting and performance frameworks to monitor engagement effectiveness.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic communications

Leadership

Data-driven decision making

Public affairs

Influencing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/PR or related discipline

Job description

Our NSW Government client is seeking an experienced Manager, Community & Stakeholder Engagement to lead the development and delivery of strategic engagement initiatives that provide communities, customers and stakeholders with opportunities to influence major programs and projects. This role will lead a team of engagement professionals, deliver data-driven communication strategies, provide trusted advice to senior stakeholders and ensure community perspectives are embedded into decision-making processes. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership, stakeholder management and strategic communications experience within a large and complex environment.

Role Title: Manager, Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Start Date: ASAP

Contract Role Till: 11 January 2027

Daily Pay: $850 - $950 per day (excluding super)

Location: Sydney CBD (2000), NSW. Minimum 50% onsite requirement at the client office.

Hours of Work: Up to 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, delivery and evaluation of strategic communication and stakeholder engagement plans across major programs and initiatives.
• Provide high-level advice to senior leadership on community sentiment, stakeholder engagement strategies, emerging issues and reputational risks.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of messaging and successful delivery outcomes.
• Develop strategic narratives and communication frameworks that demonstrate the value and benefits of organisational initiatives for customers and the wider community.
• Apply data-driven engagement practices to identify trends, risks and opportunities, using insights to continuously improve engagement outcomes.
• Lead proactive issues management and support crisis communication activities in partnership with executive and communications teams.
• Manage and develop high-performing engagement teams, promoting collaboration, capability uplift and continuous improvement.
• Oversee contractor and consultancy engagement activities, ensuring performance, compliance and delivery align with project objectives.
• Establish governance, reporting and performance frameworks to monitor engagement effectiveness and stakeholder outcomes.
• Support the delivery of customer-focused and inclusive engagement practices across multiple concurrent projects and initiatives.

Experience & Skills Required:

• Extensive experience in community and stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, public affairs or related disciplines within a complex government, infrastructure or service delivery environment.
• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Media, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering engagement programs that build community trust and support organisational objectives.
• Strong experience developing and implementing strategic communication and engagement frameworks, including issues and risk management.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills with the ability to manage sensitive and complex relationships.
• Proven ability to provide strategic advice to senior executives and decision-makers on community sentiment, stakeholder priorities and reputational considerations.
• Experience using insights, analytics and performance measures to improve engagement design, effectiveness and community outcomes.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance and reporting requirements relating to stakeholder and community engagement activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences and stakeholders.
  

Candidates must possess existing Australian working rights and live in the Greater Sydney Area.