Senior Engagement Specialist Community and First Nations

There’s No Us Without U. Care with Us, for Today and Tomorrow.

There’s no life without water, and at Urban Utilities, we live and breathe this every single day. It’s why our people are so passionate about what we do and how we do it. Come shape our future with us and make a real and lasting impact across the communities we serve.

Your opportunity

Aligned to Urban Utilities’ corporate strategy and operations, the People and External Relations group plays an important role in building strong relationships with our people, communities and external stakeholders.

Reporting to the Manager, Community Relations, the Senior Engagement Specialist Community and First Nations will lead community and stakeholder engagement across some of Urban Utilities’ more complex infrastructure, planning, operational and maintenance projects.

You’ll work closely with project teams to develop and deliver engagement strategies that support project delivery, strengthen community relationships and help manage stakeholder, reputation and social licence considerations.

A key component of the role is engagement with First Nations communities, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.

You’ll provide practical advice and support to project teams to ensure engagement is respectful, timely and appropriately integrated into project planning and delivery.

This is a broad senior engagement role suited to someone who has operated in complex project environments such as mining, resources, energy, utilities, transport or major infrastructure, and understands how to navigate community, stakeholder and First Nations considerations alongside project and operational priorities.

Your key responsibilities will include

• Leading community and stakeholder engagement for complex, higher-profile or sensitive projects.
• Developing and delivering practical engagement and communication strategies aligned to project milestones and delivery requirements.
• Working closely with project, planning, construction and operational teams to identify and manage stakeholder risks, issues and opportunities.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with communities, government, Traditional Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and other key external groups.
• Supporting engagement relating to cultural heritage and broader First Nations considerations where relevant.
• Supporting issues, reputation and community relationship management across complex projects.
• Developing engagement plans, frameworks, tools and approaches that support consistent and effective project delivery.
• Providing advice to internal stakeholders and building broader organisational capability in community and stakeholder engagement.
• Contributing to relevant First Nations engagement initiatives and organisational commitments.

About you

You’ll be an experienced engagement professional who is comfortable operating in complex project environments and working across a broad range of stakeholders.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Significant experience in community engagement, stakeholder engagement, social performance, external affairs or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience working across major projects, infrastructure, construction or operational environments.
• Experience within mining, resources, energy, utilities, transport or a similar complex industry will be highly regarded.
• Strong experience developing and delivering engagement strategies across complex or sensitive projects.
• Experience working with First Nations communities and Traditional Owners, together with an understanding of culturally appropriate engagement.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, project teams, communities and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities and complex stakeholder environments.
• Tertiary qualifications in communications, community engagement, public relations, stakeholder engagement or a related discipline.
• IAP2 certification or similar engagement accreditation will be highly regarded.

We’re looking for someone with strong project and community engagement skills, good judgement, cultural awareness and the ability to build trusted relationships. Your experience could come from a range of roles and settings, with the skills to support meaningful First Nations engagement.

Why Urban Utilities?

At Urban Utilities, the work we do is about so much more than the bottom line. We're a leading provider of world-class drinking water and wastewater services to the vibrant communities of Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim.

We are future-focused, purpose-driven, and people-powered.

We also offer:

• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Corporate discounts (health insurance, tech, retail and more)
• Employee assistance and wellbeing programs
• Access to career development, internal mobility and mentoring opportunities

Urban Utilities is a WORK180 endorsed employer. See our full range of benefits and policies directly at WORK180.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ to submit your application.