Position overview

• Permanent, Full-Time opportunity
• True hybrid working - work from home and our Mitcham office
• $152,582 Total Remuneration Package (inclusive of 12% superannuation)

About us
We're on a mission to create a brighter future, where you can be a change maker at the actual source. We're one of Australia's largest water utilities with over 30% of Victoria's population relying on us for their essential water and sanitation services.

Our award-winning culture fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible environment that enables our people to thrive. Here, you'll be inspired and challenged to grow alongside us.

We're committed to reconciliation and supporting the self-determined role for Traditional Owners/Custodians in water and land management.

The role
Are you a strategic communications leader who thrives on guiding major projects, enhancing organisational reputation, and managing high-profile issues? As our Strategic Communications Manager - Engagement, you'll play a critical role in shaping how Yarra Valley Water communicates with key audiences across operational and innovation projects.

You will lead the development and delivery of communications plans that support major initiatives, innovation programs, and organisational priorities, while proactively identifying risks and opportunities across digital and traditional channels. You'll provide expert advice to executives and senior leaders, manage sensitive communications issues, and collaborate with teams to ensure messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with stakeholder management plans.

Your key responsibilities
Lead a team that cares deeply about helping our communities understand the work we do and the benefits it brings. In this role you'll:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of Community Engagement Advisors so they can do their best work.
• Build communication strategies for major infrastructure projects, setting clear objectives, messages, timelines and responsibilities.
• Give Executives, senior leaders and project teams sharp, practical communication advice they can trust.
• Spot reputational risks early and put smart, workable plans in place to tackle them.
• Shape and guide stakeholder engagement activities, including work involving Ministers and other high-profile audiences.
• Use project milestones to help raise awareness of our work and build understanding of the value we bring to the community.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation so our communications are aligned, consistent and timely.
• Research and analyse information from inside and outside the organisation to make sure everything we share is accurate.
• Join the 24-hour on-call roster for emergencies or incidents, helping prepare and deliver public information when needed. An additional allowance applies.

What we're looking for
You are a senior communications professional with a strategic mindset, proven experience, and the ability to manage complex issues while enhancing organisational reputation.

• Proven experience in strategic communications planning and delivery (7+ years)
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a communications team (5+ years)
• Strong writing, editing, and content development skills
• Ability to identify and manage reputational risks
• Advanced stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Experience managing senior stakeholder expectations
• Expertise across multiple communication and media channels, including traditional and digital platforms
• Experience measuring communication effectiveness
• Commitment to stakeholder engagement principles
• Tertiary qualification in communications, journalism, or media; Graduate Diploma or equivalent post-graduate qualifications highly desirable

To view the full position description, click HERE.

Why Yarra Valley Water?
We celebrate and encourage new thinking at every level. Creating opportunities for you to grow - both professionally, and personally. When you flourish, we all do.

• $152,582 Total Remuneration Package (inclusive of 12% superannuation)
• Flexible working arrangements where our people are empowered to design their days with their team. Read our hybrid playbook HERE.
• Free and secure on-site parking with on-site café at our Mitcham office
• 14 weeks paid leave parental leave
• 15 days paid personal leave, which can be used for caring, wellbeing, mental health, menstrual or menopause
• Request to swap certain public holidays for another day of paid leave

To read more about our benefits and culture, read our employee handbook HERE.

Did you know?
Research shows that men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, while women and other marginalised people tend to only apply when they meet all of them. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily tick every box, please apply or get in touch. We'd love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit.

How to apply
Applications should include a supporting Cover Letter and Resume.
Closing date: Friday, 19th December 2025
This position is available for Yarra Valley Water employees and external applicants.

We welcome applications from everyone, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, mature age and young job seekers, members of the LGBTIQA+ community and people of all cultural backgrounds. If you need this information in an accessible format or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Please call 03 9872 2542 or email dei@yvw.com.au. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss the recruitment process, please contact us via email recruit@yvw.com.au.

Successful applicants must be eligible to work in Australia and agree to provide information for pre-employment checks, if required for the position. This may also include a Police Check or AusCheck, where an offer will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of these checks.