Government Relations Manager- Property

Government Relations Manager

• Property Strategic Advisory role
• Hybrid working (3 days in the office) with flexible office location (Norwest, Melbourne, Brisbane)
• Develop and execute State and local government engagement plans

We are Woolworths Group:

We are Woolworths Group. 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow’. It’s that Purpose that fuels our ambition to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week. If you’re excited to turn today’s blue sky thinking into a better tomorrow for future generations, you’ll find yourself supported and enriched in a dynamic, inclusive and empowering workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. With a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and opportunities across the group to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

What you’ll do:

Based in Norwest and reporting to the Head of Government & Industry Affairs, the Government & Industry Affairs Manager - Property, you will provide strategic advice and transactional execution to advance Woolworths Group’s retail, industrial, and mixed use property pipeline. Driving proactive stakeholder engagement across state and local governments, communities, and industry groups to secure planning approvals, accelerate project delivery, and mitigate reputational risks. Working closely with internal property and government relations teams, you will build critical networks that protect commercial priorities and foster external championing of Woolworths' success across Australia.

• Strategic Property Support: Provide dedicated community, stakeholder relations, and issues management support to unlock planning approvals and advance property priorities across VIC, TAS, QLD, SA, NT, and WA.
• Planning Advocacy: Support streamlined planning pathways and collaborate with industry groups to align messaging on key issues, including broader planning reforms.
• Government Engagement: Develop and execute State and local government engagement plans to align key council and department relations with good governance standards.
• Reputation Building: Enhance community relations by managing sod turnings, store openings, and project tours, using targeted narratives to showcase the Group's positive local impact.
• Risk & Policy Advisory: Identify, report, and mitigate reputational risks while reviewing and guiding formal submissions on planning policy to all levels of government.
• Stakeholder Toolkit Oversight: Maintain and regularly update the stakeholder engagement toolkit to ensure consistent application across all property projects.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with internal Property and RGIA teams to ensure stakeholder activities align with project timelines and broader policy objectives.
• Business Unit Partnership: Serve as the primary RGIA strategic advisor across the Group's portfolio, supporting Supermarkets, BIG W, Metro, industrial, and complex mixed-use developments.

Flexible location - While Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane applicants are preferred, we welcome applications for any State capital.

What you’ll bring:

You are a highly motivated and strategic communicator, you excel at building collaborative networks across complex organisations to persuade diverse audiences and deliver strong outcomes. You combine sharp strategic insight with practical execution, effortlessly turning high-level advice into targeted, results driven engagement plans. With exceptional written and verbal skills, you bring a proactive, ambitious drive to securing commercial goals and enhancing corporate reputation.

• Professional Experience: Approximately 5-8 years of experience in government relations, community engagement, communications or a related discipline, with a strong understanding of the political landscape.
• Sector Background: Proven track record in the planning, development or related sectors. Previous experience working in government or government relations will be highly regarded.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Influence: Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing ability, including building and maintaining relationships with government, industry and community stakeholders.
• Advocacy and Writing: Demonstrated ability to articulate persuasively through direct advocacy, government submissions, community engagement materials, briefing papers and presentations.
• Advisory and Execution: Demonstrated capacity to provide strategic advice, as well as transactional execution and excellence.
• Tertiary qualifications: Public Policy, Law, Communications, Business or a related discipline.
• Optional: Qualifications in Urban Planning.

Why join us:

• A global business with endless career possibilities around every corner and across every discipline – with valuable exposure to a vast and exciting business network.
• Team discounts across our range of Woolworths Group brands you know and love and a robust rewards program that celebrates and incentivises purpose-driven work.
• 12 weeks paid parental leave for primary caregivers plus paid superannuation for up to 12 months while the Team Member is on parental leave - eligible from the first day of employment.
• A range of programs to help you prioritise and manage your wellbeing, including 24/7 access to the Sonder app. A progressive and competitive leave policy that gives you more space for what matters to you.

Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group

As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems.

Woolworths Group is an inclusive, team-first company and we value all skills and experiences. If you meet some, but not all of the requirements, we encourage you to submit your application.