Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

Responsibilities

You will provide strategic leadership for community engagement, stakeholder relations, and communications across major power infrastructure projects. This involves managing multidisciplinary teams and building trusted relationships with government agencies, Traditional Custodians, and local communities.

Requirements

Candidates must have over 15 years of experience in communications or stakeholder engagement, with at least five years in a senior leadership role. A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline is required, and an IAP2 Certificate is highly desirable.

Skills

• Strategic leadership
• Stakeholder engagement
• Communications
• Community engagement
• Aboriginal participation
• Issues management
• Strategic planning
• Contractual compliance
• Relationship management
• Public relations
• Project management
• Leadership

Benefits

• Health and wellness benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retail discounts
• Career development opportunities

About this role

The opportunity

* Downer is seeking an experienced Head of Communications and Stakeholder
Engagement to provide strategic leadership across community engagement,
stakeholder relations, communications and Aboriginal participation for major
power infrastructure projects, including transmission and substation works.

* This is a senior leadership position responsible for developing and
delivering community and stakeholder engagement strategies across complex
power projects. You will work closely with project leadership, clients and
delivery teams to ensure engagement activities support successful project
outcomes while building strong and trusted relationships with communities and
stakeholders.

* You will lead a multidisciplinary engagement team and manage relationships
with government agencies, local councils, Traditional Custodians, Aboriginal
organisations, landowners, community groups and other key stakeholders.

* Operating across major transmission and substation projects, you will provide
strategic advice on emerging stakeholder issues, community impacts,
communications and project reputation.

What we offer

* This is an opportunity to take a senior leadership role supporting major
power infrastructure projects and help shape how Downer engages with
communities, government, Traditional Custodians and stakeholders.

* Competitive remuneration with a significant ASX-listed company

* You will have the opportunity to lead and develop a multidisciplinary team,
influence outcomes at project leadership level and contribute to the
successful delivery of critical transmission and substation infrastructure.

* Structured career paths with the opportunity to work in different areas of
the Utilities business, supported by a robust Commercial Operating Model

* A suite of health and wellness benefits and initiatives, including EAP Beyond
Blue

* Retail discounts with major retailers, Dell, Good Guys, Samsung, Specsavers &
ANZ

* We are a Tier 1 ASX listed company with in-house capabilities that far exceed
traditional contractor environments

What we’re looking for

* You will be an accomplished communications and stakeholder engagement leader
with significant experience supporting major infrastructure, power,
transmission, utilities or resources projects.

* You will bring more than 15 years’ experience in community engagement,
stakeholder relations or communications, including at least five years in a
senior leadership position. 

* Your experience will include leading multidisciplinary engagement teams and
managing complex relationships across clients, government, councils,
communities and Aboriginal stakeholders. You will also bring strong
capability in strategic engagement planning, issues management,
communications and contractual compliance. 

* A tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, community
engagement, social science or a related discipline is required. An IAP2
Certificate in Engagement or equivalent is highly desirable, with
postgraduate qualifications or executive development also viewed favourably.

* You will also bring a collaborative leadership style, the ability to
influence at senior levels and the judgement required to navigate complex
stakeholder environments across major power infrastructure projects.

About Energy & Utilities

Downer's Energy & Utilities business unit is an integrated trans-Tasman team,
providing services and solutions that connect communities to essential networks
and infrastructure. We design, build, operate and maintain today's critical
assets and networks, delivering complete services across the water, electricity,
telecommunications, industrial and power generation sectors. Our expertise spans
in-house technical smarts, specialist engineering, integrated OEM partners, and
dedicated crews of qualified tradespeople.

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our
people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer,
we welcome applications from everyone.

How to apply

Click "Apply" to start your application. We look forward to hearing from you!
Downer does not accept unsolicited resumes, fees, or costs from recruitment
agencies, search firms, or third parties. Candidates are welcome to submit their
applications via the advertisement.

About Downer

Civil Engineering · 10,001+ employees · headquartered in North Ryde, NSW · founded 1933