Full Time Ongoing
Total Remuneration Package commencing at $160,000 inclusive of 12% statutory superannuation
Location: Negotiable across SRW major offices of Maffra, Mitcham and Werribee
About Southern Rural Water
Southern Rural Water (SRW) is a Victorian water corporation with nearly 170 staff, managing major dams, weirs, water licencing and more from Mallacoota through to the South Australian border. At SRW, we believe that diversity makes us stronger, and we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive and contribute to collective success. Through providing a flexible, always safe workplace and promoting employee development, we empower employees to contribute to our strategy of great value for customers and community through excellence in rural water management.
How We Support You
At Southern Rural Water, we recognise and prioritise the wellbeing and fulfillment of our staff members. Here's what we offer to ensure a balanced and rewarding work experience:
- Embrace flexibility: We support various working arrangements including WFH, 9-day fortnights, tailor your work schedule to accommodate for school drop off and pick up hours.
- Generous leave provisions: 15 days sick leave and 14 weeks paid parental leave to support you during life’s important moments!
- Health and Wellbeing: Yearly reimbursement of up to $150 per financial year to support you in physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
- Professional development: We support your growth through a range of internal and external training initiatives and offer study assistance programs to empower you to reach your full potential.
- Employee Assistance Program: Receive comprehensive support for yourself and your family through our employee assistance program.
- Salary Sacrifice: Salary Sacrifice options for vehicles, equipment, and superannuation to enhance your financial benefits.
- See what else we can offer you on our Careers Page!
About the Role
Southern Rural Water currently have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and passionate Manager Partnerships and Communications to join the team.
In this role, you will drive our Strategic Partnerships Framework and lead meaningful customer, community and Traditional Owner engagement to help deliver our vision of bringing great value to customers and the community.
You will provide expert guidance on building strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and lead the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan.
As the Manager Partnerships and Communications, you will lead a highly capable team of communications and engagement professionals, ensuring the delivery of high quality, consistent and proactive communications that support excellence in managing and strengthening Southern Rural Water’s reputation.
We are seeking a collaborative and people focused leader who is passionate about communications and engagement and committed to building and strengthening partnerships with Traditional Owners. If you have experience leading high performing teams and lifting capability, we welcome your application.
As the Manager Partnerships and Communications, some of your responsibilities will include:
- Lead the implementation of Strategic Partnerships Framework, with a focus on facilitating the systems and processes to support Southern Rural Water’s Board approved strategic partnerships.
- Driving the development and delivery of Southern Rural Water’s Reconciliation Action Plan
- Re-invigorating our customer and community communications and engagement strategy ensuring that it supports Southern Rural Water’s strategic objectives and priorities.
- Providing timely, expert advice to the Managing Director, Executive Team, Strategic Leadership Team and staff on engagement, media and communication matters to effectively manage and mitigate reputation risk.
About you
The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate some of the desired experience and abilities below:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related disciplines, and/or demonstrated equivalent professional experience.
- Strong cultural capability and sensitivity when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and experience fostering respectful, trust-based relationships that support genuine partnership and self-determination.
- Extensive experience in partnerships, media, or communication roles, including the design and coordination of public participation programs.
- Proven ability to lead and develop high performing teams by setting clear expectations, providing feedback, supporting growth, and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture that drives quality outcomes.
How to Apply
Applications should be made online by clicking 'Apply' before midnight Sunday 12 April 2026 or by visiting our website: www.srw.com.au
Please take the time to describe how your knowledge, skills and abilities would make you a suitable candidate for this role as part of your cover letter.
A Position Description for this position can be obtained from this link.
Southern Rural Water is committed to diversity and inclusion in employment and is proud to encourage applications from people of different backgrounds, abilities, ages, genders, gender identities and/or sexual orientations.
Southern Rural Water acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters we work with and within, and pay respects to Elders past and present.
We welcome applications from people with disability and aim to provide an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss your reasonable adjustments during interviews, please contact: peopleandculture@srw.com.au
