Senior Engagement Consultant

Senior Engagement Consultant

Salary
– $110,000+ p.a (based on experience)

Location
– (Adelaide) Hybrid role incorporating onsite, office and WFH

About Us

Cunningham Partners is a leading South Australian stakeholder and community engagement consultancy with extensive expertise in road transport and infrastructure, energy, and defence-related projects. Our integrated approach combines specialist engagement capability with direct project management support, enabling us to deliver clear, coordinated, and collaborative outcomes across projects across South Australia.

We work closely with government departments and industry to achieve outcomes that are strategically aligned with public priorities and responsive to community expectations. Our unique blended model ensures that every project benefits from both engagement and hands-on project management expertise.

The Role

As a Senior Engagement Consultant with Cunningham Partners, you will lead and oversee the delivery of community and stakeholder engagement strategies across a diverse portfolio of projects. You will supervise and mentor Engagement Consultants, providing guidance and quality assurance on project delivery, while also managing your own portfolio of complex and often sensitive projects.

This role requires a high degree of autonomy and leadership, with direct accountability to the Managing Director. You will take a proactive role in designing strategies, resolving issues, and advising clients, while ensuring that stakeholder concerns are managed effectively and reputations are protected.

You will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders including community members, councils, industry organisations, Indigenous groups, and state and local government agencies. Projects span urban fringe areas, the Adelaide Hills, and rural South Australia, with some overnight travel required.

This is a hybrid position, incorporating on-site work, office-based collaboration, and work-from-home flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of stakeholder and community engagement strategies tailored to infrastructure, energy, and defence projects.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide quality oversight for Engagement Consultants, ensuring consistent, professional delivery across the team.
• Act as the primary client contact for nominated projects, providing expert advice on engagement risks, reputational issues, and communication strategies.
• Coordinate hybrid engagement activities, maintaining strong communication flows and ensuring stakeholders are informed and involved.
• Facilitate complex consultation activities including workshops, forums, and community meetings, often in sensitive or high-profile contexts.
• Manage stakeholder feedback and risk, escalating concerns appropriately and ensuring input is incorporated into project planning.
• Develop and oversee communication plans, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with client and community needs.
• Prepare high-level reports and briefings for project managers, clients, and government agencies.
• Protect and enhance client and project reputations by ensuring all engagement activities are conducted with professionalism and strategic foresight.

Skills & Experience

Essential

1. Tertiary qualifications in communications, journalism, project management, community development, or equivalent professional experience.
2. Minimum 5 years' demonstrated experience in stakeholder and community engagement, ideally across infrastructure, energy, or defence projects.
3. A current driver's licence.
4. Proven leadership capability, with experience supervising, mentoring, or guiding staff.
5. Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to manage complex discussions and build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
6. Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive or controversial projects, with a track record of protecting and enhancing client reputations.
7. Strong problem-solving and creative thinking skills, particularly in managing strict deadlines and navigating unexpected challenges.
8. High-level experience in preparing professional reports, briefings, and documentation for senior stakeholders and clients.

Highly Desirable

1. IAP2 (International Association for Public Participation) certification.
2. White Card (SA).
3. Experience working directly with government agencies and departments on major projects.

What We Offer

• Leadership role –
  contribute to projects that make a real difference in South Australian communities.
• Team development –
  supervise and mentor a growing team of engagement professionals.
• Collaborative culture –
  work in an environment that values your expertise, with a strong focus on mental health and balanced workloads
  .
• Career growth –
  access professional development opportunities and pathways for further advancement.
• Flexibility –
  enjoy hybrid working arrangements, including onsite, office, and WFH options.
• Work–life balance –
  benefit from a supportive environment with
  five weeks of annual leave per year.
• Competitive package
  – receive a salary aligned to your skills and experience.

To Apply

If you're ready to contribute your skills to projects that shape South Australia's future while enjoying a supportive and flexible workplace, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply, please forward your resume with 3 referees, along with a cover letter that specifically addresses the role key responsibilities (max 3 pages) to 

PLEASE NOTE: As this role may involve engagement within Australian Defence Force facilities or projects, applicants are required to have Australian citizenship.

For more information or full role description, please contact Brendan on or email 

Applications close 26th September 2025