- Lead statewide public engagement strategy and participation outcomes
- Drive data-informed, location-based community initiatives
- Influence executive stakeholders and build trusted partnerships
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is the independent and impartial authority responsible for delivering fair, accessible and trusted elections across Victoria. From conducting State and local government elections to regulating political donations and electoral boundaries, the VEC plays a critical role in safeguarding democratic integrity. As public expectations evolve and participation patterns shift, the Commission is strengthening its approach to community engagement to ensure all Victorians understand and can confidently participate in the electoral process.
The Director, Public Engagement is a newly elevated executive leadership role created following an external review and benchmarking process to provide stronger oversight, clearer accountability and sharper strategic direction. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer and working closely with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Executive Leadership Team, the Director will lead a refreshed branch structure and implement a new Engagement Framework and Electoral Participation Plan. This includes translating strategy into targeted, data-informed initiatives such as pilot programs in priority locations with low voter turn out and high voting informality rates, overseeing Democracy Ambassadors and specialist advisors, steering election support activities, co-designing community initiatives, and building strategic partnerships. Success will be measured through increased breadth and depth of outreach, improved turnout in priority locations, enhanced brand visibility, and high-impact activations across metropolitan and regional Victoria.
We are seeking a visionary and pragmatic leader with strong people-management capability and experience operating at senior level in complex, and at times sensitive, environments. You will bring deep expertise in community engagement, co-design and program design, with the ability to influence across large organisations and build trusted external partnerships. Whether your background sits in government, statutory authorities, local government, health promotion, volunteer-led programs or consultancy, you will be comfortable navigating bureaucracy while driving innovation and measurable outcomes. Above all, you will have the judgement, credibility and resilience to manage executive stakeholders confidently and represent the engagement agenda with authority and integrity.
To view the Success Profile for this opportunity, please copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/5umtpfts
To apply, please click ‘apply now’ and upload your CV and Cover Letter. For any questions not outlined in the PD and for a confidential discussion, please contact Paul Lefevre on 0408 036 046 or Kate Chase on 0412 254 802.
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