Community and Stakeholder Engagement Lead

Who are we?


We’re here to help people live well and create a better and more sustainable future. We support healthy and liveable communities by delivering water, sewerage and recycled water services to 1.77 million people who rely on us every day and every night. At South East Water, we innovate with purpose and act with care to deliver healthy water for life. Fresh thinking and collaboration are at the heart of our organisation. We are constantly learning, embracing the challenges of today and excited by the opportunities that tomorrow will bring.  

The role

 

The purpose of this new and exciting 24-month role is to plan, lead and deliver South East Water’s Community and Stakeholder engagement program for the 2028 Price Submission.  This position is pivotal in shaping and driving engagement strategies that power the price submission process.

 

Whilst collaborating with customers, community members and stakeholders to ensure their voices shape the submission and meet regulatory needs, you'll act as the bridge to the community, bringing insights to the table and advocating for stakeholder priorities, championing a citizen-focused approach.  By educating and inspiring the organisation, you'll embed stakeholder-driven thinking into how South East Water operates and makes decisions.  The recent Price Submission engagement resulted in an investment of $1.92 billion in our 2023–28 capital program.

 

 

Key responsibilities of the role include:

 

  • Engagement Strategy Development
  • Stakeholder Consultation
  • Community Insights
  • Communication and Reporting
  • Compliance and Best Practices

 

Who are you?

 

Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Community Development or other related field, you'll also possess an IAP2 Certificate in Public Participation or equivalent and have demonstrated experience in stakeholder and community engagement, preferably within the water sector or related industries.

 

As well as knowledge of regulatory frameworks and an understanding of the requirements involved in a price submission, the following key skills and competencies will ensure your success in the role:

 

  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with an ability to engage diverse audiences
  • Experience in financial planning and managing budgets
  • Proficiency in data analysis and translating insights into actionable recommendations
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Project management skills
  • Understanding of Essential Services Commission PREMO model and an understanding of the issues and opportunities facing the community within the water sector.
  • Excellent problem-solving ability and a proactive approach to challenges


Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you'll have a passion for engaging with communities and making a meaningful impact!

What's in it for you?


Working at South East Water means you can enjoy a wealth of benefits, starting with the chance to be part of an organisation deeply committed to environmental initiatives and sustainability; one who has been recognised as one of the top 101 Workplaces for Women in Australia by Work180 for the past two consecutive years.   

 

South East Water cultivates a dynamic culture that emphasises collaboration and strong work ethics, supported by career-focused learning and development opportunities. 

  

As a SEW employee, you can enjoy the following offerings from our benefits package: 

  • Access to My Fitness Passport, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), annual flu shots, and health checks.  
  • Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work options and leave purchasing.
  • Life insurance and salary continuance. 
  • 15 weeks paid parental leave and paid superannuation on eligible portions of unpaid parental leave.
  • Additional leave offerings, such as cultural and ceremonial leave and study leave.  
  • Head office with modern facilities and panoramic beachfront views, a separate parents' room, a prayer and meditation room, an onsite cafe, and free parking. 
  • Opportunity to be part of great initiatives involving the local community.

We're for everyone

 

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. It makes us better learners, thinkers and collaborators, helping create better outcomes for our customers.  

  

We are deeply committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, people with disability and jobseekers of all ages and cultures. We aim to provide an inclusive, accessible workplace where everyone is welcome, safe, and celebrated. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss your reasonable adjustments during interviews, please reach out to our Talent team at careers@southeastwater.com.au

Keen to make an impact?


Click here to check out the position description. We're accepting applications for this exciting opportunity until Sunday 16 February 2025!

  

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold unrestricted working rights for the period of employment at the time of application.  Successful candidates will also be required to undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check 

 

As part of a team of media and communications professionals, central to this role are responsibilities for 24/7 safe operation to provide support and minimise disruption of services to customers and as well as ensuring that public health and the environment are not put at risk. This includes participation in a rostered after-hours duty team, emergency response, and incident support as required. 

 

Visit southeastwater.com.au to learn more about us and how we serve our customers.