AddressThere’s never been a better time to join the energy industry! At Western Power we’re working towards our vision for a clean energy future and we’re looking for diverse, passionate people to join our team of world leading experts.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Policy and Engagement Specialist at our Perth office on a Full-Time Permanent basis.
About this role
As the Senior Policy and Engagement Specialist, you will be accountable for developing best practice engagement strategies and delivering proactive engagement and stakeholder relationship services.
This role will provide overall internal and external engagement on a range of Energy Transformation projects and initiatives, including the DER Roadmap and the DSO Strategy and Roadmap. The role will be responsible for the coordination and status management of projects and ensuring outcomes are aligned with the company strategy and communicated in a consistent way.
This position is critical in delivery of Western Powers strategic objective of Distribution Transformation and our transition towards Distribution System Operator.
- Accountable for developing and implementing best practice approaches and engagement plans.
- Deliver proactive, subject matter expertise in energy policy to support and achieve both internal and external engagements activities.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of Western Power’s community and stakeholder engagement approach.
- Deliver and implement engagement plans for multiple projects consistent with Western Power’s strategic objectives, which can include:
- developing communications such as social media posts, digital media, project letters, promotional material, media releases, speeches and publications associated with business objectives;
- meeting stakeholders to discuss queries face-to-face
- managing Western Power events to commemorate key project milestones; and
- responding to escalated customer complaints.
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders, particularly Energy Policy WA and project partners to ensure strategic and policy alignment.
- As required, report on project and engagement status, progress against plan, lessons learnt, issues etc. as part of weekly, monthly, quarterly and milestone, progress, and final reporting.
- Enhance and improve Western Power’s relationship and reputation with community stakeholders and work to minimise impacts of our infrastructure projects.
- Develop cross functional relationships and alignment across the business.
- Establish, develop, and maintain valued relationships with internal and external stakeholders including creating and nurturing advocates to support Western Power’s strategic objectives.
- Provide stakeholder management and communications advice on contentious issues.
About you
We are seeking someone with experience and attributes that include:
- Tertiary qualification in Communications, Social Planning and Sciences, Marketing, or related discipline.
- Extensive experience and knowledge, of at least 8 - 10+ years, in communication, policy engagement, community engagement, stakeholder management or a related field.
- Demonstrated and high level of subject matter expertise and experience in incorporating best practice communication / community and stakeholder engagement practices in large and contentious infrastructure / innovative projects.
- Understanding of Energy Policy.
- Advanced and very strong communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate at multiple stakeholder levels.
- Ability to prioritise work and critically assess own performance.
- Excellent listening skills with a strong ability to demonstrate understanding and empathy.
- Ability to work as part of a team (essential).
Joining Western Power
Our people play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional service to the communities in which we operate.
We are committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, women, young & mature age workers, the LGBTQI+ community.
We are an employer of choice, offering our employees a range of benefits that include:
- Competitive salary plus 11% superannuation
- Flexible work arrangements that support part time work, flexible working hours and working from home arrangements
- Professional Development opportunities including training initiatives and study assistance
- An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme
- Access to five Employee Network Groups – First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, Diverse Sexualities and Genders, Women, and People with Disability – which celebrate and communicate the diversity of our workforce and connect diversity and inclusion to our broader business activities
- The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year
- Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership
Important information
We are committed to our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2021 - 2027 and ensuring that people with disability have equal opportunities to gain and maintain employment with Western Power. It is strongly encouraged that people with a disability who meet the inherent requirements of the position description apply for this role.
We are also proud to have launched our Innovate RAP in Mar 2022 (Reconciliation Action Plan). Our Innovate RAP outlines our commitment to the Reconciliation journey in WA.
Our recruitment process requires that all candidates who progress to the pre-employment stage must hold a police clearance issued within the last six months.
Join us and play a part in powering the future of Western Australia.
Applications close on Monday 30 January 2024.
Submit your application by clicking the ‘apply’ button.
