Stakeholder Engagement Manager

**Position category**:Communications & PR**Role type**:Contract**Location**:Sydney North**Position code**:FWG28003A Stakeholder Engagement Manager opportunity for an exciting, pumped hydro project. The project is a $1.5bn+ off-river storage development, which has been deemed critical state significant infrastructure, and now has substantial financial backing.

The site is an ideal off-river pumped hydro site with a high head height and close reservoirs and is expected to produce 900MW of power dispatchable over 12 hours. It is, however, a remote NSW site with challenging terrain.

The project is looking for a Stakeholder Engagement Manager on a contract for around 12 months to undertake regular liaison with a wide range of local stakeholders to fully understand the needs of the community and how the project can address those needs, where relevant.

The position will also manage all stakeholder engagement and communication activities including government and authority liaison, website updates, community newsletters, social media feeds, public exhibitions, educational projects, and press releases to ensure stakeholders are informed and the project benefits are promoted, and concerns addressed.

**Responsibilities**
- Responsible for owning and managing the stakeholder management strategy for the Project during its development phase to ensure positive stakeholder and community relations are developed and maintained.
- Manage the community consultation process within the Planning process ensuring statutory consultation requirements are satisfied and all interactions are logged and tracked in the database.
- Develop a deep understanding of the local community’s issues and agendas, and any areas of alignment or mismatch, to identify key areas that will unite the community behind the project.
- Provide communication advice and support to project development managers which contribute to effective engagement with stakeholders and the local community.
- Drafting and/or reviewing of stakeholder-focused reports.
- Manage the project website and other communication tools including setting up and monitoring a dedicated complaints line.
- Proactively and sensitively deal with complaints and negative sentiment.

**Requirements**:

- Degree in a relevant area or extensive management experience in a related area essential.
- Demonstrated experience in communications & stakeholder management with a wide range of stakeholders, including landowners, for major infrastructure projects.
- Experience in events management and media activities.
- High level written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to convey messages effectively to a range of audiences using all forms of media.
- Ability to demonstrate a committed and diligent approach to maintaining excellent communications with stakeholders at all levels.
- A practical understanding of the risks of being remote and ability to be able to keep yourself safe.
- Business level of English capability essential.
- The ability to travel to site and local communbbity areas as well as to the Sydney office as required.
- Current Australian driver’s license
- Some experience of the renewable energy industry is desirable but a passion for renewable energy is essential.

**Freshwater Group**

Freshwater Group is a best practice renewable energy recruitment business that focuses on all renewable and low carbon emission, energy efficiency and disruptive clean technology businesses as well as energy infrastructure, storage, and management.

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