Manager Strategy, Communications and Advocacy

City of Wanneroo; Perth; On-site; AUD 207,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

12 weeks paid parental leave

Free on-site parking

Salary packaging and novated leasing

Discounted gym memberships

Active social club with regular events

Job summary

The City of Wanneroo is seeking an experienced Manager Strategy, Communications and Advocacy to lead a multidisciplinary team and align the City’s strategic direction with communications, engagement, advocacy and influence.

You will provide trusted strategic advice to Council and senior leaders and build partnerships across the organisation and external stakeholders. This is a high-profile leadership role guiding corporate strategy and communications.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent substantial experience.
• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building a high-performing, collaborative culture.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development and strategic communications.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Experience developing advocacy strategies and influencing government or securing funding and investment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong political acumen and the ability to navigate sensitive and time-critical matters.
• Experience leading community engagement with IAP2 principles.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and contemporary service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a high-performing, multidisciplinary Strategy, Communications and Advocacy team.
• Leading corporate strategy and integrated planning and reporting, including the development of the Council Plan and Annual Report.
• Developing and coordinating advocacy priorities, submissions, briefings and campaigns to strengthen the City's influence and secure investment.
• Building strategic relationships across government, industry, community and other key stakeholders.
• Overseeing the City's communications, media, marketing and brand strategy.
• Providing strategic leadership for complex, sensitive and time-critical communications and reputation matters.
• Leading meaningful and inclusive community and stakeholder engagement to support informed decision-making.
• Using audience insights, evidence and data to continually improve communication, engagement and marketing outcomes.
• Driving contemporary practices, continuous improvement and service excellence across the portfolio.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communications

Influencing

Advocacy

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Manager Strategy, Communications and Advocacy

Remuneration Package up to $230,292 per annum

• Five-year fixed-term leadership opportunity | Full-time
• Competitive Executive Remuneration Package up to $230,292 per annum
• Lead strategy, communications, advocacy and engagement for a local government with an ambitious vision for the future!

Lead with integrity. Be frank and fearless. Shape the future of one of Western Australia's fastest-growing cities.

The City of Wanneroo is one of Western Australia’s fastest-growing local governments, with a diverse and rapidly evolving community.

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Manager Strategy, Communications and Advocacy to lead a multidisciplinary team that connects the City’s strategic direction with how we communicate, engage, advocate and influence.

Reporting to the Director Enablement, this is a high-profile leadership role with the opportunity to shape the City’s strategic narrative, strengthen its influence, and build community understanding, participation and trust.

You will lead a talented team across corporate strategy, integrated planning and reporting, advocacy and grants, communications, media, marketing, brand and community engagement.

The Opportunity

You will provide trusted strategic advice to Council, the Executive and senior leaders, while building strong partnerships across the organisation and external stakeholders.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing a high-performing, multidisciplinary Strategy, Communications and Advocacy team.
• Leading corporate strategy and integrated planning and reporting, including the development of the Council Plan and Annual Report.
• Developing and coordinating advocacy priorities, submissions, briefings and campaigns to strengthen the City's influence and secure investment.
• Building strategic relationships across government, industry, community and other key stakeholders.
• Overseeing the City's communications, media, marketing and brand strategy.
• Providing strategic leadership for complex, sensitive and time-critical communications and reputation matters.
• Leading meaningful and inclusive community and stakeholder engagement to support informed decision-making.
• Using audience insights, evidence and data to continually improve communication, engagement and marketing outcomes.
• Driving contemporary practices, continuous improvement and service excellence across the portfolio.

About you

You are an accomplished strategic leader who can operate confidently in a complex, high-profile environment and bring together diverse disciplines around a common purpose.

You will have

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent substantial experience.
• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building a high-performing, collaborative culture.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development and strategic communications.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Experience developing advocacy strategies and influencing government or securing funding and investment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Strong political acumen, judgement and the ability to navigate sensitive and time-critical matters.
• Experience leading community engagement, with an understanding of IAP2 principles.
• A demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and contemporary service delivery.

Experience in local government or the public sector will be highly regarded.

Why join the City of Wanneroo?

At the City of Wanneroo, you will have the opportunity to make a genuine difference in one of Perth's fastest-growing communities while working alongside people who are passionate about creating a better future.

Leave Benefits

• 5 weeks annual leave
• 12 weeks paid parental leave

Stability with Mobility

• Long Service Leave is portable across WA local governments
• Long term role with strong internal mobility, and sector-wide credibility
• A comprehensive development program with internal capability frameworks and access to funded external courses, workshops, and study leave

Perks & Support

• Up to 15% superannuation with matching
• Free on-site parking
• Thoughtfully designed workspaces with sit-stand desks, natural light, and spots to collaborate.
• Modern end-of-trip facilities including showers, lockers, and secure bike storage
• Access to salary packaging and novated leasing
• Discounted memberships to our award-winning gym and leisure centres
• An active social club with regular events

Reference Number: 861060

Close Date: Sunday, 25th October 2026

For further information regarding the position visit the City of Wanneroo website or contact Emma Woolaston, Director Corporate Strategy & Performance on 9405 5055.

Please note:

• Applicants may be required to undergo a drug and alcohol test.
• All employees and prospective employees of the City of Wanneroo are required to declare any secondary employment and private activities to ensure that any conflict of interests may be appropriately managed.
• To apply for this position, you must have the right to work in Australia and be willing to provide a National Police Clearance no older than 3 months.