Who we are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, and our catchments. We care for water, life, and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.

Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet, or kayak down the Yarra we’re there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.

About the Role

We’re seeking a skilled and confident Strategic Engagement Advisor to help shape how Melbourne Water engages with customers, stakeholders and Melbourne’s diverse communities. This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in the delivery of complex projects and business priorities, ensuring community and stakeholder voices are understood, considered and reflected in the way we plan and deliver our services.

Reporting to the Manager Strategic Relationships, you’ll design, deliver and evaluate integrated communication and engagement strategies across face-to-face, digital and written channels. You’ll work closely with project teams, delivery partners, government agencies, local councils and community stakeholders to provide trusted advice, manage sensitive issues and support engagement that is inclusive, customer-focused and outcomes-driven.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and deliver proactive stakeholder and community engagement strategies, plans and materials for complex projects and business initiatives.
• Facilitate meaningful consultation through community information sessions, digital engagement, site-based activities and written communications.
• Provide strategic advice and coaching to internal teams and delivery partners on sensitive stakeholder issues and best-practice engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government, local councils, community groups, water retailers, service providers and internal project teams.
• Create clear, accessible and engaging communication content, including briefings, presentations, correspondence, web content, social media and other collateral.
• Support incident response activity by providing timely communication, engagement and media advice when required.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in Melbourne Water’s engagement practice, including supporting communities of practice and new ways of working.

For more information, please refer to the attached  Position Description

This is a great opportunity to use your engagement expertise to make a real impact for Melbourne’s people, places and environment—helping ensure customers, stakeholders and communities remain at the heart of Melbourne Water’s decisions and service delivery.

About you:                          

You’ll bring experience working across the IAP2 spectrum, delivering engagement in politically sensitive environments, and using digital and social media channels to reach and involve communities. Strong project management skills, sound judgement and a customer-centred mindset will be key to your success.

• Experience developing and delivering proactive and innovative community engagement strategies on complex projects, business strategies or sensitive stakeholder and community issues.   

• Exceptional emotional intelligence, advocating on behalf of customers and the community, whilst also ensuring business objectives are met. 

• Exceptional social awareness and ability to quickly and creatively redesign engagement activities to meet community expectations. 

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and an eye for detail. 

• Experience working in sensitive political environments. 

• Experienced in online engagement techniques, social media and digital content creation. 
• Exceptional customer service standards with the ability to negotiate with the community on behalf of the organisation.
• This role will be at 990 La Trobe Street and will require frequent travel to capital project locations and other MW operational sites. 

This role will suit an experienced engagement and communications professional who enjoys working in complex, fast-moving environments and can balance community expectations with organisational outcomes.

Why join us:

At Melbourne Water, we care deeply about water and the life it sustains. 

Our team is inspired by passion and purpose, with an unwavering commitment to safety. We are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We don’t just talk about flexible working - we live it. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning flows through everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what's right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, Neurodivergent Individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.

If you’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and enthusiastic about public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive your application and learn if you could be a great fit. 

How to Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.

Closing date: Sunday 28th June 2026 @ 11:55pm AEST