* Build it your way – A newly created role with the autonomy to shape Council's communications from the ground up
* Influence where it matters – Work directly with the General Manager, Mayor and Councillors on high-impact community issues
* Be part of something genuine – Join a Council where people care deeply about their community and what they deliver
* Tree-change with substance – Enjoy a unique regional lifestyle while staying connected to major centres
* Great way to be rewarded to mix with the irresistible lifestyle and community – $120,000 - $140,000 + super + relocation assistance for the right candidate!
Walcha Council, and the environment
Walcha Council is a small regional council with a large geographic footprint and a strong sense of identity.
What stands out is not just what Council delivers, but how it operates.
There is a genuine commitment to the community, not as a slogan, but as a day to day reality. Staff regularly go beyond what would normally be expected, whether that is delivering wraparound services across all stages of life, or doing the small, practical things that matter, like helping elderly residents take their bins out and bring them back in. It is a place where people step in, take ownership, and get things done.
At the same time, the organisation is evolving.
A number of senior leaders have joined within the past 6 to 12 months, bringing a clear mandate to strengthen capability, modernise systems, and improve how Council operates and presents itself.
The environment is:
* Practical and not overly process driven
* Collaborative and accessible, with conversations happening as often in corridors as in meetings
* Open to new ideas, provided they are well thought through and delivered
This is not a static organisation. It is one that is actively being shaped.
A role with real impact
Walcha Council is changing.
With a new leadership team and a clear focus on lifting capability, Council is investing in its first dedicated Communications Manager to bring structure, consistency and strategy to how it communicates.
Right now, communications are fragmented and largely reactive.
This role is about changing that, building a clear, proactive approach that strengthens community trust, supports leadership, and better reflects the work Council delivers every day.
What you'll be doing
Reporting to the General Manager, you'll lead communications across the organisation, both strategically and hands-on.
You'll:
* Establish a clear, organisation-wide communications approach
* Advise leadership on messaging, positioning and issues
* Move Council from reactive to proactive communication
* Identify and tell the positive stories currently going untold
* Improve consistency across channels, tone and branding
* Manage sensitive issues with clear, measured communication
This is not a pure strategy role. You'll also be delivering — writing, publishing, coordinating and maintaining communication across media, digital and internal channels.
For the full job description, click here.
Your first 90 days
First few weeks
* Learn how Council operates and communicates
* Meet key stakeholders across staff, leadership and community
* Identify immediate risks, gaps and opportunities
First month
* Deliver early outputs (media, updates, internal comms)
* Act on quick wins
* Start building consistency and visibility
By 90 days
* Establish a clear communications direction or framework
* Embed more proactive, coordinated practices
* Deliver tangible outputs (e.g. newsletters, stories, improvements to channels)
* Contribute to broader projects, including Council's identity and branding work
Who this role suits
You're someone who can operate across both strategy and delivery.
You likely bring:
* Strong writing and communication skills
* Sound judgement, especially in sensitive situations
* Confidence working with senior leaders
* The ability to simplify complex information
* Initiative and a solutions-focused mindset
You are:
* Practical and self-directed
* Comfortable without heavy structure
* Confident enough to challenge when needed
* Motivated by visible impact
This role suits someone who wants ownership, not just responsibility.
What's on offer
Great way to be rewarded to mix with the irresistible lifestyle and community – 120,000-140,000K + super + relocation assistance for the right candidate!
* Permanent full-time role
* Flexible working arrangements by agreement
* Direct access to senior leadership
* The opportunity to build a function from the ground up
Next step
If you're ready to take ownership of how an organisation communicates — and want to do it somewhere your work genuinely matters — this is a rare opportunity.
Apply now.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $120,000.00 – $140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Relocation assistance
* Salary packaging
Work Location: In person