Senior Manager Communication and Engagement

Chandler Macleod is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Senior Manager Communication & Engagement to lead strategic community engagement and stakeholder communication activities across a nationally significant infrastructure program.

This senior leadership opportunity will see you driving engagement strategies, managing complex stakeholder relationships, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring community feedback is effectively integrated into project planning and delivery. The role plays a critical part in building trust, maintaining social licence, and supporting the successful delivery of major infrastructure outcomes. 

• Contract: 12-month contract with potential extension
• Locations: Location: Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle OR Central Coast
• Work Arrangement: 
  • On-site role with flexible work arrangements to balance operational and team needs.
  • Regular travel across project locations and other HSRA offices. Some evening and weekend work will be required to support engagement activities and operational commitments.

About the Role
Reporting to the General Manager, Project Communication, you will provide strategic leadership across communication and engagement activities within a designated project region. You will oversee engagement programs, manage sensitive stakeholder matters, and guide teams through complex community, property and construction-related issues.
This role requires a highly experienced communications professional who can operate confidently in politically sensitive environments while delivering outstanding stakeholder outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of communication and community engagement strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
• Provide expert advice on complex stakeholder, community and project-related matters.
• Manage and mentor an experienced team of engagement professionals.
• Drive continuous improvement, governance and compliance across engagement activities.
• Contribute to strategic planning and organisational priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communications

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community members, landowners, government agencies and key stakeholders.
• Manage sensitive and potentially contentious issues with professionalism and sound judgement.
• Act as a senior representative in stakeholder meetings, community forums and public engagements.
• Support issue resolution, complaints management and risk mitigation activities.
• Develop innovative communication initiatives that foster transparency and trust.

Project Delivery & Reporting

• Monitor stakeholder sentiment, emerging risks and community concerns.
• Prepare executive-level reports, briefings and strategic insights.
• Oversee engagement data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Ensure engagement activities comply with legislative, regulatory and policy requirements.
• Support procurement and administrative activities as required.

About You
To be successful, you will bring:

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in community engagement, stakeholder relations, public affairs or communications leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success delivering engagement strategies for major infrastructure, government or large-scale projects.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder environments, including planning approvals, property acquisition, construction impacts and community issues.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and foster collaborative workplace cultures.
• Strong strategic communications, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience preparing executive briefings, reports and strategic recommendations.
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage risks, priorities and competing stakeholder interests.

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.