Regional manager strategy and stakeholder partnerships

The Regional Manager, Strategy and Stakeholder Partnerships plays a key leadership role in shaping how the Region engages with stakeholders, partners and communities to support the integrated, place-based delivery of DEECA priorities in the region. The role leads a team overseeing strategic stakeholder relationship and partner management at place, providing strategic advice to the Regional Director, statewide portfolios, regional teams and DEECA Groups to ensure the successful delivery of government and departmental priorities.

The role designs and delivers a strategic stakeholder partnerships approach for the region, aligned to the DEECA Community Charter, that supports regional communities and stakeholders to connect with and contribute to government priorities. It builds and sustains trusted, constructive relationships with Traditional Owner Corporations, local government, land managers, industry and peak bodies, community stakeholders and other key partners, enabling effective two-way engagement, anticipating and mitigating stakeholder issues at place, and ensuring DEECA is connected and responsive to regional context and priorities.

Working across regional leadership, statewide portfolios and DEECA Groups, the role ensures stakeholder insights, regional intelligence and emerging issues are effectively understood, synthesised and translated into advice, engagement strategies and coordinated actions across DEECA. It provides strategic advice on stakeholder risks, opportunities and partnerships, and supports effective engagement with Ministers, government agencies and key partners, including preparing for and leveraging high-profile forums and engagement opportunities to inform government decision-making and strengthen regional outcomes. It also leads discrete projects and programs as needed with high levels of stakeholder interface and partnership.

The role supports the Region to operate as a trusted, credible and connected partner by aligning policy intent with regional delivery, strengthening relationships, and enabling engagement that informs both local action and broader policy and investment decisions.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience providing strategic advice on stakeholder, partnerships or engagement issues, particularly in complex or sensitive government environments.
• Proven ability to build and sustain effective stakeholder relationships, and to translate stakeholder insights into advice, engagement strategies and improved outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience leading and delivering projects or programs with significant stakeholder interface, including managing competing priorities, resources and timelines.
• Well-developed written and verbal strategic communication skills.
• Experience leading teams or functions, including setting direction, building capability and delivering outcomes through others.
• Experience working within or with regional, place-based environments, including strong understanding of regional stakeholder contexts and dynamics.
• Understanding of policy development and implementation, and the interaction between policy intent, stakeholder engagement and service delivery.
• Experience supporting or preparing for high-profile stakeholder engagement, including forums or processes involving Ministers, senior stakeholders or complex community environments.
• Experience leading a high performing team to deliver place-based initiatives or deliver initiatives with significant impacts at place.

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is flexible within Loddon Mallee Region with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

DECE welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees.