Inner West Council

Senior Manager Communications and Engagement

Inner West Council is a dynamic and vibrant local government area in Sydney, home to a population of around 188,000 people. It stretches from the scenic Parramatta River at Birchgrove in the northeast to the Cooks River at Dulwich Hill in the southwest. As one of Sydney’s largest metropolitan councils, the Inner West is a hub of creativity, culture, and diversity, offering a unique blend of urban energy and community living. With an operational budget of around $300 million and a dedicated team of approximately 1,800 employees, Inner West Council delivers 39 essential services to its residents, ensuring the area remains one of the most liveable and exciting parts of the city. 

Council has a strong focus on providing an excellent customer experience right across its service areas. The community is at the heart of everything it does. 

The Senior Manager Communications and Engagement is a new role that directly reports to the General Manager and is an important member of Council’s Leadership Team. In this dynamic and strategic role, you will be mainly responsible for the delivery of Council’s strategic communication and community engagement services and initiatives. You will ensure effective internal and external communication, foster positive relationships with residents, community groups and other stakeholders, and support the Council's efforts to engage the public in identifying priorities and decision-making processes. You will not only be providing strong and visible leadership but also expert and critical advice to the Executive, Mayor and Councillors on relevant matters.

To succeed, you will need to be highly engaged, confident working closely with external and internal stakeholders including media outlets, community groups and the elected Council, and comfortable problem-solving and navigating strategic and operational challenges and landscapes. You will lead and inspire a team charged to deliver high quality content production and communication. You will also continue to lead and develop a thriving engagement program aligned with the community’s expectation to influence Council’s directions and decision. Your expertise will extend to risk management, public relations, media engagement and social and digital media. Your experience in crisis or issues management, contracts and project management, and financial management are also essential.

This is a unique leadership opportunity within a large progressive Council that embraces innovation, diversity and collaboration and celebrates its vibrant community. You’ll be supported by a dedicated Executive and a talented team, offered a competitive salary, and encouraged to grow your own leadership journey while contributing to an organisation that aims to make its community a great place to be.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please note this recruitment is being managed by Greenway Executive Partners - all enquiries and applications must be submitted to them directly.

To apply or for a copy of the position description, please email office@greenwayexecutive.com quoting reference SMCE – Inner West.  For further information contact Kelly Mico on +61 9000 1108.

Applications should include a current CV and cover letter and must be received by 11.59pm on Tuesday 10 June 2025. Your cover letter must include how your skills, knowledge, experience and personal attributes align with the requirements of the role.  A concurrent search is underway.