Are you passionate about delivering real community impact through Australia’s energy transition? Do you believe in the power of collaboration, co-design and listening deeply to regional voices? Are you ready to lead strategic initiatives that drive better outcomes for people and places across regional Australia?

The Energy Charter is a unique coalition of like-minded energy organisations with a shared purpose and passion for customers and communities, led by CEOs nationally. Our core values of “Be invested, make a difference”, “Be open, learn and improve”, and “Think big, be bold” are brought to life through our #BetterTogether initiatives focused on delivering better customer and community outcomes for all Australians.

Collaboration

• Reporting to Energy Charter CEO.
• Collaborating with other Directors and internal/external resources.

Terms

• 80-100% FTE

Location

Flexible, working from home, with a regional setting viewed favourably. Travel required.

Purpose of the Role

The Director, Community Impact leads the strategic development and delivery of initiatives under the Regional Energy Accord; a commitment to collaborate with regional communities to ensure the energy transition is of clear benefit to them. The focus is on delivery through the Regional Energy Collaboration Framework; a toolkit to achieve better outcomes for regional communities through the energy transition. This role ensures the voice and lived experience of communities is embedded in energy industry collaboration, co-design and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership and #BetterTogether initiative delivery:

• Lead the initiation and innovation process including the planning, development and implementation of collaborative projects between energy businesses designed to improve outcomes for regional communities across Australia in the energy transition (#BetterTogether initiatives) aligned through the Regional Energy Accord (under development).
• Lead and support key #BetterTogether (#BT) initiatives involving communities including:
  • Regional Energy Accord (currently under development)
  • Regional Energy Collaboration Framework based on the Wimmera Southern Mallee Collaboration
  • Landholder Better Practice Social Licence Guide
  • National Landholder + Community Engagement Training
  • Ag Energy Social Licence Roundtable
  • Developer Rating Scheme Lived Experience Panel
  • Social Licence Community of Practice
• Showcase and communicate impact for communities, using The Energy Charter Impact Framework.
• Lead development and oversight of #BT initiative budgets, ensuring effective resource allocation, social value as well as return on investment. Oversee necessary resources for delivery, including management of external consultants.

Collaboration and engagement:

• Deep engagement with community leaders throughout regional Australia, including time spent in local communities working on place-based collaborations.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with key stakeholders across industry, community representatives, agriculture, regional bodies, Local, State and Federal government and regulators.
• Identify and engage industry and community partners to co-deliver Regional Energy Accord initiatives, fostering collaboration, building common ground and navigating strategic differences.
• Navigating highly political environments while maintaining a neutral approach that prioritises the needs of the community.
• Proactively seek opportunities to represent The Energy Charter at forums, roundtables and conferences, actively raising the profile of the Regional Energy Accord.
• Work with the Director, Communications to develop an overarching strategy for communication of all initiatives under the Regional Energy Accord and other #BetterTogether initiatives.
• Contribute to regular communications e.g. through social media, website and monthly updates on progress and outcomes of #BetterTogether initiatives.

Event co-design and facilitation:

Design, coordinate and facilitate co-designed engagement activities and events, including the implementation of the Regional Energy Collaboration Framework, the National Landholder + Community Engagement Training, Lived Experience Panels, community forums, workshops and roundtables supporting Regional Energy Accord objectives.

Team and culture leadership:

• Work in a small team to deliver outcomes, including supervision, delegation, mentoring, upskilling and budget oversight.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Directors to align strategy, streamline workflows, identify synergies and contribute to a positive and purpose-driven team culture.

Governance and strategic contribution:

• Contribute to internal governance processes, cross-functional strategy development and reporting as required.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying synergies across #BetterTogether initiatives and driving innovation in community-led program design and delivery.
• Leverage the Impact Framework to showcase impact for communities through activities.

Sustainability and growth:

• Identify and pursue funding, grants and partnership opportunities to grow and sustain impact within the portfolio.
• Support the retention of existing Signatories and expansion of new signatory base, particularly with renewable energy developers.

Skills requirements

• Proven leadership in stakeholder engagement, especially in regional and politically sensitive environments.
• Human-centred design and facilitation experience.
• Strong project management skills with a record of delivering complex initiatives aligned with community strategies.
• Extensive experience working in high-profile political and community environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to influence across diverse audiences.
• Deep understanding of energy sector dynamics, regional development or related policy landscapes.

Personal qualities

• Bold, big picture thinker with the ability to independently execute on the ground.
• Invested and committed to make a difference.
• Collaborative, self-sufficient, proactive and flexible.
• Confident, authentic and self-motivated.
• Passionate about regional Australia and its people.
• Adaptable and open to learning in a dynamic work environment.