Head of Communications and Engagement

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Manager of Customer & Communications, you will be responsible for leading the Communications and Engagement division at Knox City Council. This strategic leadership position encompasses internal and external communications, media relations, community engagement, and the management of the Council's reputation. Collaborating closely with the Executive Leadership Team, senior leaders, and project teams, you will provide expert counsel on complex, high-profile projects while fostering communication capabilities organization-wide. You will manage and inspire a team of communications and engagement specialists, promoting an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and continual development.

This permanent full-time position is based at Knox Civic Centre in Wantirna South, Victoria. While the role is primarily onsite, flexible working arrangements are supported as long as operational requirements are fulfilled.

The role is classified as Band 8, with a salary range from $129,171.45 to $145,030.21, plus superannuation in line with the Superannuation Guarantee.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the strategic creation, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of the Council's communications and engagement services, applying modern, research-supported approaches to strengthen reputation and align with Council priorities and the Health and Wellbeing Plan.
• Promote cross-departmental collaboration by ensuring early involvement of Communications and Engagement in business units' initiatives for cohesive communication strategies, consistent messaging, and meaningful stakeholder and community impact.
• Offer expert strategic guidance to senior executives and teams on communications, stakeholder relations, reputation and issue management, organizational change, and emerging concerns to support effective outcomes.
• Utilize data, analytics, community feedback, and evaluation to spur innovation, measure results, inform decisions, and improve communications and engagement services continually.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team through collaborative leadership, thoughtful workforce planning, coaching, and skills enhancement.
• Oversee the strategic planning, budget management, contract administration, and operational performance of the Communications and Engagement function, building strategic partnerships that align with the Council's long-term goals.
• Regularly assess and improve communication and engagement frameworks, governance, standards, and practices to benchmark against best practices, ensure compliance with legislation, and enhance organizational capabilities.

Candidate Profile

• Proven extensive leadership in communications, corporate affairs, public relations, community engagement, or related fields.
• Track record in successfully managing and leading high-performance communication and engagement teams.
• Exceptional skills in stakeholder engagement and influencing, with experience advising senior executives on complex and sensitive matters.
• Strong expertise in media, reputation, and issues management.
• Experience in establishing comprehensive organization-wide communication, engagement frameworks, governance, and systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities, with aptitude for tailoring messages to diverse audiences.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, community engagement, or equivalent significant professional experience.

Additional Information

Applicants must submit their resume and cover letter online by 9am, 27 July 2026. Direct applications to the hiring manager will not be considered. For enquiries, contact Kylie Sprague, Manager Customer and Communications, via phone or email.

Working at Knox City Council

Knox City Council offers meaningful impact through its community-focused work environment. Employee benefits include accrued or rostered days off, extensive leave provisions including up to 16 weeks primary and 4 weeks secondary parental leave, salary sacrifice options for Council childcare fees, opportunities for temporary role changes to build skills, support for further studies, discounts on leisure memberships, and access to an Employee Assistance Program for personal and work challenges support.

Inherent Requirements & Diversity Commitment

This is primarily an office-based role with inherent requirements detailed in associated documentation. Knox City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. It maintains a stringent child-safe environment, ensuring all children accessing Council services are safe and valued. Employees, contractors, and volunteers carry responsibility for upholding child safety principles. The Council recognizes the traditional custodians of the land where it operates, acknowledging the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation.