Head of Engagement

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Oct 22, 2026 2 hr. ago 1 view

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McKinnon Head of Engagement

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Role Purpose:

McKinnon is dedicated to strengthening Australia’s democracy and enhancing public administration. Our goal is for Australian governments to be more effective, transparent and accountable. We support practical programs that deliver tangible progress, and our work is motivated solely by the long-term public good. Our approach is non-partisan and undertaken in cooperation with all sides of politics.

The Head of Engagement is a vital part of McKinnon’s ongoing success and is responsible for driving the development and execution of innovative engagement strategies that foster and strengthen McKinnon’s relationships with key stakeholders in the political and public arenas.

Contributions from the role will:

Elevate McKinnon’s standing by designing and implementing strategies that enhance McKinnon's influence and reputation with politicians, political advisors, public servants, and other influential decision-makers.

Drive program-specific advocacy by leading efforts to advance McKinnon’s programmatic goals by executing targeted advocacy initiatives that ensure the organisation’s projects make a meaningful impact.

Contribute to broader McKinnon strategic policy development as required.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Engagement Development: Craft and implement a robust engagement strategy that aligns seamlessly with McKinnon’s mission and values. This involves identifying and prioritising key stakeholder groups, establishing clear engagement goals, and devising targeted strategies to achieve these objectives.

Stakeholder Relationship Management: Build and sustain meaningful relationships with key stakeholders through collaborative efforts. Advocate effectively for McKinnon program goals and ensure that stakeholder interactions support the organisation’s objectives.

Community Engagement: Cultivate and enhance McKinnon’s reputation within the wider community, fostering a positive and influential presence.

Communication Leadership: Design and execute comprehensive communication plans that convey McKinnon messages consistently and effectively to all stakeholders. Ensure alignment with McKinnon branding and messaging standards.

Team Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-calibre engagement team. Set clear expectations, foster accountability, and create a supportive and productive team environment.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilise annual surveys and interviews to assess engagement levels, monitor progress, and inform strategic decisions. Analyse trends and identify opportunities for improvement to enhance engagement outcomes.

Budget Oversight: Manage the engagement budget efficiently, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and initiatives are executed cost-effectively.

Reporting and Evaluation: Prepare and present regular reports on engagement activities and their impact on McKinnon objectives. Use insights from these reports to evaluate strategy effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

Collaboration with Program Leaders: Partner closely with program teams to develop and execute initiatives that support their specific objectives and enhance overall program impact

Experience, Skills & Competencies:

Education & Qualifications	Relevant tertiary qualifications in Public Relations, Public or Social Policy, Political Science or a related field, with 10+ years of senior leadership experience
Professional Experience	Operational Scaling Experience: Possesses experience in scaling operations, with a clear understanding of the complexities involved in growth and expansion. Senior Political Experience: Brings extensive senior-level experience within the political system, with a deep understanding of its dynamics and operations. Crisis and Reputation Management: Experienced in managing crises and protecting organisational reputation, with a demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and high-stakes situations. Expertise in Engagement Tools and Technologies: Well-versed in the latest tools and technologies for engagement and communication, with the ability to leverage these resources effectively.
Skills & Knowledge	Exceptional Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Exhibits superior communication abilities with a proven capacity to influence and engage stakeholders at all organisational levels, both internally and externally. Proven Relationship-Building Expertise: Shows a track record of cultivating and maintaining strong, enduring relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders. Leadership and Team Development: Has a demonstrated history of building and leading high-performing teams, achieving exceptional results through effective team management and development. Knowledge of Democratic Institutions: Holds comprehensive knowledge of Australia’s democratic institutions and their functions, ideally through direct experience working with or alongside these entities. Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving: Displays excellent strategic thinking capabilities and outstanding problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to address complex issues effectively. Analytical and Data-Driven: Possesses a strong analytical mindset, with the ability to use data insights to drive informed decision-making and enhance strategic outcomes.
Personal Attributes	Demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the public good and contributing positively to societal outcomes. Strategic and conceptual thinking coupled with problem solving skills and capacity to develop effective solutions. Proven ability to develop strong, productive partnerships with and engage/influence key stakeholders. Thinks long term in the development of strategy and plans, yet also a pragmatic executor of strategy. Ability to work at a high level then dive into the practical detail quickly. Strong team builder and leader with good judgement. Ability to engage the team and take them on the journey. Energetic, resilient, and tenacious. Naturally curious and committed to continuous learning and improvement. Thinks outside of the box and promotes a culture of innovation. Strong commercial acumen A strong desire to serve the public good.

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Head of Engagement

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