About the role

The Senior Stakeholder Engagement Officer serves as the dedicated engagement lead for the Gold Coast Light Rail corridor—a high-profile, high-risk infrastructure project with substantial community, political, and reputational sensitivity. This role is critical to the successful delivery of the project and requires a proactive, strategic, and solutions-focused approach to stakeholder engagement. It encompasses both day-to-day operational delivery and forward-thinking planning to support long-term outcomes and ongoing community confidence.

For more information about the role including role responsibilities and requirements please view the attached position brief.

What we are looking for

We’re after a seasoned stakeholder engagement professional who thrives in complex, high-pressure environments and has a track record of successfully delivering large-scale or high-profile infrastructure project engagement. You’ll have excellent political and cultural awareness, outstanding interpersonal skills, and a strategic mindset.

Significant experience in stakeholder and community engagement, preferably within infrastructure or public sector projects.

Proven ability to manage sensitive or high-risk stakeholder issues with discretion, diplomacy, and strategic insight.

Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and maintain trust across diverse stakeholder groups.

Demonstrated ability to design and lead strategic engagement approaches for major infrastructure projects that align with broader project objectives, and complex environments.

A collaborative approach with demonstrated success in cross-functional teams and working with external partners.

Be part of shaping the Gold Coast's future

The Gold Coast is inspired by lifestyle and driven by opportunity. We are the second largest Council in Australia.

We care about being the most flexible government organisation in Australia and we have a range of benefits to help you create the right balance:

Flexible work arrangements to suit your lifestyle, including hybrid/work from home options, flexible working hours and locations

Personal and professional development courses

Access to 350+ fitness facilities through Fitness Passport

4 free confidential counselling sessions a year for you or an immediate family member

1 free nutritionist and financial advice session per year

We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community. We're committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture.

How to apply

Click 'Apply' to submit your online application. Upload your Resume with a Cover Letter (of no more than 2 pages) outlining how your skills, experience and personal attributes would allow you to achieve success in this role.

Documents needs to be less than 2MB in size and PDF format is preferred. If you encounter technical issues when applying, please email [email protected]

Our selection process may include a one-way video interview via Criteria, a face-to-face or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, reference checks via Xref and additional checks including police checks, employment history checks, qualification checks, pre-employment medical reviews and drug and alcohol testing.

Please note applications for all of our vacancies close at 10.30pm on the listed closing date.

The City of Gold Coast is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are committed to supporting an environment where all employees, regardless of their differences or similarities, feel valued, respected and supported. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons are encouraged to apply.