Stakeholder Engagement Lead

Stakeholder Engagement Lead

About Inland Rail

Inland Rail Pty Ltd is delivering a 1,600km freight line that is transforming how goods are moved around Australia. When fully operational, Inland Rail will connect Melbourne to Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. As one of the largest infrastructure projects in Australia, Inland Rail is helping to address the nation’s future freight needs and meet the demands of our growing population.

Delivering Inland Rail will help shift more goods onto rail which means safer, less congested roads and fewer emissions and a more resilient and sustainable national freight network.

More information relating to the project can be found here: Inland Rail

About the opportunity

The Stakeholder Engagement Lead is responsible for driving best‑practice community and stakeholder engagement at a project level. You will lead planning, manage emerging issues, advise project teams, and build strong and influential relationships with community, government and industry stakeholders.
This role suits a seasoned engagement practitioner who thrives in complex environments and enjoys guiding teams and shaping strategy.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Engage with councils, landowners, industry groups, Federal/State MPs, community organisations
• Develop, refine and implement engagement plans and consultation strategies
• Support development of project collateral (newsletters, fact sheets, FAQs, website content)
• Identify and manage risks, issues and opportunities
• Support land access and acquisition processes
• Provide executive officer support for Community Consultative Committees
• Manage responses to community and statutory consultation feedback
• Lead transparent, inclusive, accessible engagement that is well recorded and reported
• Mentor and support a team of engagement professionals across NSW
• Build relationships that promote effective dialogue and strengthen advocacy for Inland Rail
• Support transition into construction and work closely with contractors during delivery
• Ensure strong record management in Consultation Manager
  

This opportunity will be based in Goondiwindi, Narrabri or Narromine. Inland Rail will assist with relocation costs if required. 

About you

You should be an accomplished stakeholder engagement leader with strong communications capability and extensive experience supporting complex project environments. You should possess a proven background in building trust, influencing outcomes and maintaining effective relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, including government, industry partners, community representatives and internal leaders.

Additionally you will be able to demonstrate:

• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or similar
• Strong stakeholder and community engagement experience (infrastructure, transport or logistics experience ideal)
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with demonstrated ability to produce high‑quality plans, reports and communications
• Strong digital capability across engagement tools and platforms
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint in particular) and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, social media platforms and e‑news tools
• Drivers Licence C Class

What you’ll be joining

• You will join one of the largest infrastructure programs in Australia.
• This project will generate thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in local investment, boosting regional economies and communities right along the alignment.
• Inland Rail is proud to have over 40% female representation and we would like to see these numbers grow.
• Inland Rail is an Agile working environment in our State-of-the Art office embracing flexible working conditions.

Our Organisation and Culture

The values that drive us and the work we deliver in the program incorporate Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.  We welcome like-minded individuals who value our culture.

At Inland Rail, we celebrate, support, and thrive on attracting people from all horizons and walks of life for the benefit of our employees, our program, and our community. Inland Rail is proud to be an equal opportunity and an affirmative action employer. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to submit their details to us.

All employment is decided based on suitability to the role, cultural fit, merit, and business needs.

Apply Now

If this opportunity sounds like the challenge you have been looking for please apply online today.

As part of the application process, you will be required to undergo pre-employment criminal history, reference and medical checks, including drug and alcohol testing. Inland Rail is a drug and alcohol-free working environment.

Applications close: 15th March 2026

Please note that applications are reviewed from point of advertising so don’t delay your application.