Services Strategy and Engagement Lead

• Permanent, full time role
• Salary: Band 7 $109k plus super
• Convenient Preston location, close to public transport

At Darebin, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of how we work. Our commitment to these values is unwavering, they are central to our mission, to our impact and to help us better serve our community. We know that having varied perspectives and lived experiences helps generate better ideas to enable a diverse, inclusive and connected community.

Darebin encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of colour. We value people of all abilities and diversity of culture, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in.

About Darebin City Council

Located in Melbourne's northern suburbs, Darebin City Council is home to one of the largest, most diverse communities in terms of culture, language, religion, socio-economic background, occupation, and housing needs. The city has one of the largest populations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents in metropolitan Melbourne. Our Vision is for a community that works together to advance community life.

About the Role

As Services Strategy and Engagement Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term direction of Darebin's waste, recycling, and amenity services — helping our community move towards a circular economy and a cleaner, greener future. You'll support a diverse portfolio of service strategies and education programs, spanning waste reduction, recycling, urban forest, open space, emergency management, graffiti, and amenity. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on complexity and collaboration — a trusted advisor to subject matter experts who can translate policy intent into practical action and measurable outcomes.

What you'll do

• Lead the development of long-term waste and recycling service strategies that support Darebin's climate response and circular economy goals.
• Oversee a rolling program of policy and strategy reviews across multiple service areas.
• Design and guide impactful community education campaigns that inspire waste reduction and behaviour change.
• Partner with communications, operations and policy teams to ensure alignment between education, strategy, and service delivery.
• Provide strategic advice and governance support to ensure services are efficient, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.

Skills & Experience

You're a strategic thinker and collaborative leader with an understanding of public policy, sustainability and service delivery in a local government or public sector setting.

You bring:

• Expertise in policy development, service strategy and program planning.
• Strong analytical, communication and influencing skills.
• Experience managing consultants, budgets and cross-functional projects.
• A passion for tackling complex environmental and community challenges through evidence, insight and creativity.

Culture

As a progressive leader in Local Government, Darebin City Council is passionate about social inclusion, sustainability, engagement and service excellence. We are proud of the diversity of our workforce and recognise the strength this provides in meeting the needs of the community we serve. We are committed to upholding a positive and supportive work environment that values the contribution of all employees and treats all employees with dignity and respect.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits to our employees including opportunities for personal and professional development, flexible work practices, Employee Assistance Program, recognition and reward program - Appreciate Great and a variety of generous paid and unpaid leave options.

How to Apply

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please submit your application including a resume, and address the Key Selection Criteria in the Position Description in your cover letter.

We're also happy to adjust our recruitment process to support your accessibility needs.

Contact Chloe Davies, Coordinator Strategic Operations on or via phone for a confidential discussion.

Applications close on Sunday the 9th November at 11.30pm.

Darebin is committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, and thorough 'Safety Screening' processes apply.

To work at Darebin City Council, you will be required to supply proof of work rights, a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and comply with Child Safety standards. All employees are required to undertake an Australian Criminal History Check and may be required to complete a Functional Health Assessment.

Council requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as outlined in the Staff Covid-19 Vaccination Policy.