Manager - Major Projects & Government Engagement

Manager - Major Projects & Government Engagement

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Hickinbotham is a dynamic and diversified private group based in Adelaide. With over 70 years of family ownership — and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and delivery — the Group's interests include South Australia's largest residential building and development business, mortgage broking, and other ventures that contribute meaningfully to our state's future.

We are seeking a proactive Manager – Major Projects & Government Engagement to lead and influence the next phase of our strategic development program. This is a senior appointment, working closely with our Executive Team and playing a pivotal role in shaping and delivering large-scale, nationally significant projects aligned with the Group's long-term objectives.

This opportunity will appeal to a strategic leader with deep experience navigating the interface between major development, infrastructure planning and delivery, and government. It offers the chance to make a lasting impact on South Australia's growth and prosperity.

Who we are

At Hickinbotham, we believe in doing great things with great people. Our values are grounded in humility, honesty, excellence, and continuous improvement. We are proudly customer-focused and results-driven, but we also care deeply about integrity and doing the right thing.

We embed lean thinking across every part of our business. From design and construction to stakeholder engagement and operational delivery, this enables us to eliminate waste, empower our teams, and deliver outstanding value to our customers and the community. Our lean culture fosters adaptability, discipline, and a bias to action — with high expectations and high trust.

Key responsibilities of this challenging and rewarding role include :

• Engage with community members, local government, media, and planning authorities to foster alignment, transparency, and public trust in major developments.
• Secure all necessary approvals, permits, and endorsements from local, state and federal government agencies, and other statutory authorities.
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for the delivery of large-scale, nationally significant urban projects — from early planning through to execution.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including industry associations, government officials, ministers, regulators, media stakeholders, and other industry leaders.
• Represent the organisation in high-level forums, discussions, and public engagements to articulate the vision, benefits, and progress of key initiatives.
• Champion project delivery that aligns with corporate objectives, timelines, risk profiles, and commercial outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Team to influence policy, strategy, and delivery across the development lifecycle.
• Navigate complex regulatory frameworks to proactively resolve issues and remove barriers to progress.
• Coordinate internal and external teams across planning, design, legal, finance, and delivery to ensure seamless execution.
• Prepare and present briefings, reports, and submissions to support development approvals, government engagement, and strategic initiatives.

About you

• A strong, proven ability to engage at the highest levels of government, industry, and planning — with a track record of success delivering complex projects in similarly senior roles.
• Deep knowledge of large-scale urban or infrastructure development, including planning, design, regulatory engagement, and delivery execution.
• A strategic mindset with commercial awareness, political acumen, and the ability to drive outcomes across multiple disciplines and stakeholders.
• Executive presence and sound judgement, with excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Collaborative, composed, and highly motivated — with the confidence to lead complex initiatives in a fast-moving, high-accountability environment.

This is a rare opportunity to work with the senior management team of one of Australia's most successful companies to help shape the future of South Australia through projects of enduring scale and impact. If you are a values-driven leader with the capability and ambition to deliver real results, we would love to hear from you.

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At Hickinbotham Group we're more than a South Australian cornerstone; we're a national powerhouse driving growth across multiple industries.

From residential and land development to lending finance, premium spirits and life sciences, we're empowering people and inspiring change at every level of our diverse business divisions.

We draw strength from our longevity and history of investment in Australian communities. Having built more than 50,000 homes, housing over 120,000 people and developing more than 60 communities over 70 years. Hickinbotham Group has built a reputation as an unmatched industry leader.

Join us to make an impact.

At Hickinbotham Group we're more than a South Australian cornerstone; we're a national powerhouse driving growth across multiple industries.

From residential and land development to lending finance, premium spirits and life sciences, we're empowering people and inspiring change at every level of our diverse business divisions.

We draw strength from our longevity and history of investment in Australian communities. Having built more than 50,000 homes, housing over 120,000 people and developing more than 60 communities over 70 years. Hickinbotham Group has built a reputation as an unmatched industry leader.

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