Title:  Strategic Engagement Lead, NSW

Strategic Engagement Lead

Are you ready to make a real impact in Australia’s energy transition?

At AusNet, we play a key role in the energy transition and providing essential energy to Victorian households and businesses. 

Help us lead the way, while enriching your career with real people who encourage you to bring your best and make real impact – for your career, our communities and Australia’s clean energy future.

About the role

Join a team shaping the future of Australia’s clean energy transition. AusNet’s Development and Future Networks (DFN) group drives strategic growth across the energy sector, supporting the delivery of new transmission, generation and load connections, storage infrastructure, aggregated DER and clean mobility solutions.

Within DFN, the Communications, Environment, Land and Planning (CELP) team plays a pivotal role in enabling major infrastructure projects, leading community and stakeholder engagement, land access, statutory planning and approvals, environmental and cultural heritage management, and deep partnership with Traditional Owners.

As the Strategic Engagement Lead, NSW, you will be a senior influencer responsible for strengthening AusNet’s strategic relationships across the NSW Government and key external partners. This is a high‑impact role where you will lead state‑level engagement, enhance AusNet’s position as a trusted partner in the clean energy transition, and ensure the organisation is well‑placed within NSW’s dynamic policy, regulatory and political environment.

You will work closely with internal advisors and external stakeholders to identify opportunities that uplift brand presence, strengthen reputation, and support business growth across the NSW energy sector. Success in this role will come from your broad industry and major project experience, strong existing networks, and your ability to engage, influence and drive strategic outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Position AusNet as a trusted partner to the NSW Government and identify strategic opportunities aligned with NSW’s energy and decarbonisation priorities.
• Provide policy insights and recommendations to support AusNet’s strategic direction in NSW.
• Build strong relationships with advisors, senior officials and industry bodies.
• Represent AusNet in key government and industry forums, using strong influence and diplomacy to support organisational objectives.
• Lead engagement strategies for priority agencies and ensure alignment with DFN and organisational priorities.
• Monitor emerging risks, opportunities and policy shifts, advising the business on impacts and recommended actions.
• Guide messaging and shape submissions, briefings and advocacy materials in partnership with Public Affairs and Policy teams.
• Advise project teams on government engagement requirements and support major transmission, REZ and innovation initiatives with clear, practical guidance.
• Provide timely political and policy intelligence, influence internal decision‑making and coordinate government engagement across teams.
• Manage external consultants and advisers, ensuring quality, alignment and value for investment.

What You’ll Bring

• Tertiary qualifications in business, engineering, finance or other relevant discipline
• 10+ years’ experience in advocacy, communications, business development, project development and/or other relevant experience
• 15+ years’ experience dealing with government agencies, preferably in energy and/or utilities sector
• Demonstrated experience in NSW Government specifically
• Experience working in complex and political environments on infrastructure projects, major project development or similar infrastructure development
• Understanding of Australian energy sector and major project development, with experience in NSW 
• Ability to engage at executive levels with superior written and verbal communication
• Commercially astute with analytical and commercial skills to resolve complex issues and translate big-picture thinking to actionable advice and initiatives
• Strong capability to analyse risks and opportunity implications
• Demonstrated ability to form lasting partnerships and positive relationships with relevant stakeholders
• Ability to facilitate the delivery of quality project communications, technical writing, and delivery of agile and responsive/fit-for-purpose communications
• Strong time management, planning and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and negotiation skills, to understand, engage with and influence stakeholders, internal and external
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence, engage and collaborate at all levels of leadership and technical understanding  

Please note, we will not be engaging in Recruitment agencies for this role, please apply directly!

A real place to belong.

We celebrate unique voices, refreshing perspectives and diversity in our team. Engage and connect through our social club, wide range of events or by joining one of our Employee Network Groups.

We believe in more than just competitive pay. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Leave: more than typical personal leave and a generous 14 weeks of paid parental leave, with no minimum service.
• Community giving: a paid day to volunteer with our social impact partner, Foodbank, or for a cause that matters to you.
• Perks: we offer all the other perks you’ve come to expect like purchased leave, income protection insurance, novated leasing, corporate discounts, private health cover discounts and more.

As an industry in transformation, we’re excited by the possibilities ahead.

So, if you’re passionate about our purpose and committed to making real progress, bring your energy and join AusNet. Together, we can shape a new way forward.