- Permanent Full Time Opportunity
- $121,095 to $136,286 (depending on skills and experience)
About the role
The Community Development Branch leads and supports the implementation of the City of Melbourne's whole-of-organisation community development approach.
As a Neighbourhood Partner, you will play a key role in strengthening relationships between Council and community through a place-based approach. Working within the Neighbourhoods Team, you will develop deep knowledge of your neighbourhoods, build trusted partnerships with stakeholders, support community-led initiatives, and broker collaborative solutions that address local priorities.
As a permanent member of the team, you will contribute strategically to community outcomes, build sustainable relationships across the organisation and community, and provide ongoing leadership in place-based community development practice.
A little more about the role
- Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with community stakeholders, partner organisations and internal business units.
- Develop a deep understanding of neighbourhood strengths, needs, opportunities and emerging issues to inform organisational decision-making.
- Lead and deliver complex community development initiatives, partnerships and projects that achieve meaningful outcomes for community.
- Provide strategic advice and place-based insights to support Council planning, engagement and service delivery across the organisation.
- Support inclusive and accessible community participation by championing best-practice community engagement approaches.
- Identify opportunities for community-led action, partnership development and innovative responses to local priorities
You will play a critical role in ensuring the City of Melbourne remains well-informed about community strengths, aspirations, needs and concerns, helping shape responsive, inclusive and evidence-based service delivery.
Why join Team Melbourne?
Located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne is globally recognised as one of the most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities.
At the heart of it all is the City of Melbourne – a passionate, purpose-driven organisation where your work truly matters. As part of Team Melbourne, you’ll help deliver what’s most important to the people who live, work, study, visit and invest in our great city.
We’re proud champions of diversity, committed to continuous improvement, and driven by a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable future.
This is more than just a role – it’s your chance to make a real impact, contribute to something bigger, and shape Melbourne’s future alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team.
About you
You are an experienced community development practitioner and relationship builder who thrives in complex stakeholder environments. You bring a strategic mindset, strong community engagement expertise and the ability to influence outcomes across diverse groups.
You are equally comfortable working at a neighbourhood level and providing organisation-wide advice, using insights, data and community knowledge to drive meaningful and lasting outcomes.
What your experience might look like - Key Selection Criteria
- Significant experience in community development, community engagement and stakeholder relationship management.
- Demonstrated experience building effective partnerships across community, government and non-government sectors.
- Experience working with diverse communities including culturally and linguistically diverse communities, First Nations peoples, young people, LGBTIQA+ communities and people with disability.
- Demonstrated ability to gather, analyse and interpret community insights and data to inform planning, policy and service delivery.
- Strong negotiation, influencing and analytical problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and complex issues.
- High level project management, planning and organisational skills, including experience leading projects and initiatives from inception through to delivery.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in community development, social sciences, community engagement or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Benefits of working with us
- Attractive remuneration & benefits: Excellent pay package with a range of exciting benefits. Flexible working, study assistance & other great corporate discounts.
- Excellent leave entitlements: Enjoy up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to the government-funded parental leave, with no waiting period to access. Part-time equivalents are also available for added flexibility.
- Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment.
- Work-life balance and hybrid working: We support flexible hours, alternative work arrangements (like ADOs), and hybrid work-from-home options.
How to apply
We'd love to hear how you can make an impact in this role! As part of your application, you will be required to:
- Attach your updated resume
- Include a cover letter (max one page) outlining your relevant experience and why you're a great fit for this role.
Submit your application no later than 11:45pm on Monday, August 24, 2026.
A few important things to note – don’t miss out!
- Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided.
- Apply early! This role may close sooner than the listed closing date if we find the right candidate — so don’t wait to get your application in.
- We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and a Working with Children Check.
Need more info?
Refer to the position description below or contact Michelle James - [email protected]
Inclusion matters
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds.
We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you’re contacted for an interview.
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