About the role
Reporting to the Manager Customer & Communications, you will lead Council's Communications and Engagement function, providing strategic leadership across internal communications, external communications, media, community engagement and reputation management.
Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, senior leaders and project teams, you'll provide trusted advice on complex and high-profile initiatives while building communication capability across the organisation.
You'll lead a team of specialist communications and engagement professionals, creating an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement thrive.
This is a full-time permanent role based at Knox Civic Centre in Wantirna South. We support flexible working arrangements while ensuring operational needs of the role are met.
This is a Band 8 classified role. Remuneration will be $129,171.45 to $145,030.21 (depending on experience) plus superannuation in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee.
What you will deliver
In this role you will:
- Lead the strategic development, implementation and continuous improvement of Council's communications and engagement function, ensuring contemporary, evidence-informed practices that strengthen Council's reputation, support organisational priorities and align with the Council and Health and Wellbeing Plan.
- Foster a culture of collaboration across the organisation by ensuring business units engage Communications and Engagement early to deliver integrated communication and engagement strategies, consistent messaging and meaningful stakeholder and community outcomes.
- Provide expert strategic advice to the Executive Leadership Team, senior leaders and project teams on communications, stakeholder engagement, reputation management, organisational change and emerging issues, enabling informed decision-making and effective delivery of Council priorities.
- Drive innovation, performance and continuous improvement across the communications and engagement portfolio by leveraging data, analytics, community insights and evaluation to measure outcomes, inform decision-making and enhance service delivery.
- Lead and inspire a high-performing Communications and Engagement team by fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability and continuous learning through effective leadership, workforce planning, coaching and capability development.
- Lead the strategic planning, financial management and operational performance of the Communications and Engagement function, including budget oversight, resource allocation, contract management and the development of strategic partnerships that deliver value and support Council's long-term objectives.
- Lead the ongoing review, evaluation and enhancement of Council's communications and engagement frameworks, governance, standards and practices, benchmarking against best practice to drive continuous improvement, ensure legislative compliance and strengthen organisational capability and consistency.
What you will bring to this role
The key selection criteria for this role are:
- Extensive leadership experience in communications, corporate affairs, public relations, community engagement or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated success leading high-performing communications and engagement teams.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience advising executive leaders on complex and sensitive issues.
- Strong media, reputation management and issues management experience.
- Experience developing organisation-wide communication and engagement frameworks, systems and governance.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.
- A tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, community engagement or a related discipline, or equivalent extensive professional experience.
How to apply
Please submit your application, including your resume and cover letter by 9am on 27 July 2026.
All applications must be made via the online portal. No applications direct to the hiring manager will be considered.
For further information on this role please contact Kylie Sprague, Manager Customer and Communications, at [email protected] or on +61 3 9298 8314.
A link to the position description can be found in the job listing on our Knox City Council Jobs and Careers page.
Why work at Knox
Discover your future at Knox City Council, where you will deliver meaningful impact, find great opportunities and work with committed people to shape our community. As an employee of Knox, you can enjoy:
- Accrued or rostered days off available for full-time roles, depending on operational requirements
- Broad range of leave options including up to 16 weeks primary and up to 4 weeks secondary parental leave
- Salary sacrifice option for Council-owned childcare fees
- Opportunities to take on temporary roles or work in different teams to build skills and support career growth
- Support towards further study
- 50% off Knox Leisureworks memberships
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for support in managing personal and work-related challenges.
To find out more about the benefits of working at Knox City Council, visit knox.vic.gov.au/why-work-knox
Our commitments
Knox City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to providing a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion. We are committed to a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.
Knox City Council has zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of harm to children. All children and young people who access our services, programs, events and facilities have the right to feel safe and be safe. This includes spaces owned or managed by Council. We take the wellbeing and safety of children and young people in our care seriously. We maintain a child safe organisation by embedding the protection of children into everyday thinking and practice. All Knox City Council employees, contractors and volunteers are responsible for ensuring children and young people are valued, heard and protected from abuse.
Knox City Council acknowledges our offices are located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation.
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