Community Engagement Manager

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training. 

• 1x Ongoing and 2x Temporary (until 30/06/2027 & 31/01/2027) Full-time opportunities in a supportive and high performing team
• Located in Eveleigh, offering flexible working arrangements with a minimum of three days in the office, including Thursday as a mandatory office day for business requirements.
• Salary ranges from $129,464 to $142,665 p.a. plus superannuation and annual leave loading

About the role

The Community Engagement Manager plays a key role within the School Infrastructure (SI) division, delivering stakeholder and community engagement strategies across a range of School Infrastructure projects.

You will work closely with project teams to plan, manage and implement effective communication and engagement activities from project inception through to completion. The role ensures communities and stakeholders are informed, consulted, and engaged throughout the delivery of new and upgraded education facilities across NSW.

Your responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of community engagement strategies to support school infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate project and stakeholder meetings, providing clear engagement updates and managing community feedback.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with school communities, councils and local stakeholders.
• Deliver community information sessions and consultation activities that foster trust and transparency.
• Develop effective communication collateral across a range of mediums for print and digital distribution.
• Identify and proactively address emerging community issues or opportunities in partnership with project and media teams.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

You are a confident communicator and relationship builder with a passion for connecting communities to meaningful outcomes. You can manage competing priorities, respond calmly to sensitive or high-pressure situations, and bring a solutions-focused mindset to everything you do.

You will demonstrate:

• Experience writing a range of communication materials
• Stakeholder and project management
• Community engagement experience
• Ability to identify risks
• Ability to work autonomously

• Proficiency in using various Microsoft office applications

Key Knowledge and experience

• Desirable: IAP2 or equivalent community engagement certification, with a good understanding of the IAP2 framework.
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Current and valid Working with Children Check Clearance for paid employment
• Willingness to undertake occasional regional travel and work outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends
• Valid Australian Driver’s License Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role, as well as your response to the pre-screening question below: 

Question 1
Describe a time you have had to communicate changes to a project scope or timeline. What did you do to manage engaged stakeholders and what was the result?

Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa. 

Closing date Sunday, 30th November at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Natalie Viset at Natalie.Viset@det.nsw.edu.au

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team (youbelong@det.nsw.edu.au) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.