Title:  Communications And Engagement Lead

About Us

The Department of Transport and Planning seeks to create thriving places and connected communities by ensuring Victoria’s transport and land use is safe, sustainable and integrated. Our job is to further integrate the transport network and land uses to improve the delivery of services to Victorians for simpler, quicker, and safer journeys that connect people and places and support Victoria's prosperity and liveability.

The department is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, including veterans, people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, have a disability, are from varied cultural backgrounds and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. The department provides workplace adjustments for applicants with disabilities.

Communications and Customer Experience is a Division within the Office of the Secretary Group in the Department of Transport and Planning.

The Communications & Customer Division supports DTP to deliver on the Government's transport and precincts agenda. We do this through clear communications, genuine engagement and marketing campaigns that resonate with people because they are focused on delivering better outcomes for people, wherever they live. The division innovates with communications approaches to support organisational, cultural and behavioural change.

About the Role

Fixed Term opportunity until 30 June 2026

The Communications and Engagement Lead (Public Transport) is responsible for leading and coordinating communications and engagement initiatives for public transport projects across Victoria.

This position plays a key role in partnering with stakeholders across Transport Services and collaborating with communications teams from Yarra Trams and Metro Trains. The focus is on delivering strategic communications advice and support that aligns with and reinforces the broader divisional strategy.

To access the Position Description, please click here.

Position Outcomes / Accountabilities

• Project managing timelines, resource allocation, delivery outputs and budget.
• Managing reputational risk by identifying risk early and developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Align communication strategies and activities with the overall divisional strategy.
• Comprehensive understanding of projects and programs - partnering with project teams to drive delivery while triaging and prioritising outputs.
• Driving delivery of comprehensive communications and engagement plans that effectively define stakeholders,      messaging and channels, reflect potential issues and propose mitigations.
• Ensuring delivery of communications and engagement plans at a high standard, within outlined timeframes.
• Evaluation - consulting with members of relevant communities ensuring effectiveness and outlining lessons  learnt for future projects.

In line with Section 31A of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic) other duties may be assigned consistent with employment classification, skills, and capabilities

Key Selection Criteria 

The ideal candidate will excel in building collaborative stakeholder relationships by understanding shared goals and organisational contexts. They will be skilled in communication with impact, tailoring messages to influence and inform decision-making effectively. They will demonstrate strong strategic planning skills, aligning team efforts with broader organisational goals. Proven experience in project delivery, partnering, and co-creation is essential. Personally, they will be flexible, responsive to change, and foster a strong sense of purpose by linking team efforts to meaningful stakeholder outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory

• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in communications, engagement, public relations, education or a similar discipline

Desirable  

• Advanced specialist skills in planning and delivering communications and engagement programs in a public sector, major project, transport or infrastructure.
• At least five years' demonstrated experience managing and delivering significant strategic communications and engagement programs.

What we offer

• Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable
• Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services
• A hybrid working model focused on collaboration and teamwork
• Optimal work-life balance initiatives including flexible working arrangements
• Opportunity to work across multiple urban and suburban hubs
• We prioritise the development of a safe and inclusive culture

Culture Value

We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At our department, we prioritize the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.

How to Apply

Please include a resume and cover letter. All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We’re unable to consider email or manual applications.

Applications close at 11:59 PM on Thursday, 14th May 2025.

For more information, contact Lisa Walker, Communications and Stakeholder Manager at Lisa.Walker@transport.vic.gov.au

Preferred applicants will need to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Your information will be treated confidentially.

If you require additional adjustments across the recruitment process or accessible formats of this ad, please contact us by phone or email.