Associate Director, Communications

Join us in driving impactful change by transforming the NSW electricity system

Be part of something BIG – Join the project team delivering the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

• Exciting opportunity to lead engagement with stakeholders in the delivery of a first-of-its-kind mega project
• 2 x 4 year Temporary full-time opportunities
• 1 x Sydney and 1 x Mudgee-based - hybrid: working from home and office supported
• Salary range from $183,848 to $208,267 plus super and leave loading

EnergyCo is the Infrastructure Planner delivering the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWO REZ). This nation-leading project will unlock 4.5 GW of clean energy, attract billions in private investment, and create more than 5,000 construction jobs across 20,000 square kilometres centred by Dubbo and Dunedoo, on the land of the Wiradjuri, Wailwan and Kamilaroi peoples.

We're recruiting key roles to support this major infrastructure build, with a focus on building community trust and strong strengthening local relationships, maximising long-term community benefits, and keeping everyone updated on the project.

About the Opportunities

EnergyCo's Project Delivery team is at the core of the CWO REZ rollout, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, strong communication with stakeholders, and contract oversight. The team also manages key interfaces with councils and mines, supporting Third-Party Agreements and keeping the project moving with precision and accountability.

The Project Delivery team is currently seeking to appoint 2 x Associate Director, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement roles to support the project in delivering key messages and working with key stakeholders.

Associate Director Community and Stakeholder (Council and Interface) - Mudgee based

This role leads strategic oversight and integration of social outcomes, council and interface relations, and cumulative impact management across Central-West Orana REZ. This role ensures alignment with policy, regulatory and contractual obligations while fostering sustainable community benefits, stakeholder trust, and EnergyCo's social licence to operate.

About You

You are an experienced stakeholder engagement professional with a proven track record in managing complex, multi-stakeholder relationships, ideally within energy, infrastructure, or major projects. You bring a strong understanding of local government priorities, regional development, and the sensitivities of working with diverse communities. You excel at building trust through transparent, two-way communication and are skilled at managing situations where council feedback may be mixed or challenging. Your experience includes developing and delivering strategic engagement plans, facilitating collaborative decision-making, and translating technical project information into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders. You are confident leading cross-functional teams, navigating competing interests, and ensuring that councils feel heard, supported, and informed throughout all stages of project development and delivery. You thrive in dynamic environments, demonstrating adaptability, resilience, and a solution-focused approach to managing competing priorities.

Associate Director Community and Stakeholder (Communications and Engagement) - Sydney-based

This role leads strategic communications and engagement for the CWO REZ. The position ensures consistent messaging and best-practice engagement in collaboration with the corporate communications unit and other internal teams, fellow government agencies, and delivery partners. It focuses on building trust and strong relationships by communicating community benefits, hearing and responding to local concerns, and ensuring transparent, inclusive engagement through early and ongoing consultation with clear feedback loops, ensuring community perspectives shape outcomes.

About You

You are a strategic communications and engagement leader with a strong track record in managing complex stakeholder relationships, including councils, communities, and industry partners. You excel at designing and delivering integrated communications strategies that build trust, foster collaboration, and support informed decision-making. You are skilled at navigating sensitive or challenging situations, maintaining clear two-way communication, and ensuring all stakeholders feel heard and valued. With experience translating complex technical or project information into accessible, actionable messaging, you are confident leading cross-functional teams and driving engagement that aligns with both organisational objectives and community expectations. You thrive in dynamic environments, demonstrating adaptability, resilience, and a solution-focused approach to managing competing priorities.

Essential Requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline and/or senior level experience in communication, community and stakeholder engagement or similar experience in major infrastructure, government sector and/or large organisation.
• Current Australian Drivers licence (Class C minimum) and willingness to travel to regional locations.

For more information read the full Role Description: Associate Director Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Who we are?

The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) is a statutory corporation established under the Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987 and governed by its Board, appointed by the Minister for Energy.  EnergyCo is a Staff Agency employing all EnergyCo staff and is an agency related to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

EnergyCo plays a pivotal role in the NSW Government's Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which aims to transform the state's electricity system into one that is cheap, clean, and reliable. As Infrastructure Planner under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020, EnergyCo is responsible for leading the delivery of the State's first five Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and the first two priority transmission infrastructure projects (PTIPs), which are located in the Central-West Orana, New England, South West, Hunter-Central Coast, and Illawarra regions. We work closely with communities, investors, and industry to investigate, plan, recommend and coordinate generation, storage and network infrastructure projects.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Please also note, to be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you need to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you need to hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role.

Applications close Wednesday 3 December at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Matthew Furry via

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing or contacting Mark McGarry, Talent Acquisition Partner on please mention reference number

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Guide for Aboriginal Applicants to assist with applying for roles or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.

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