Job Title: Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager
This is a key role that involves safeguarding and enhancing our brand, reputation, and relationships with various stakeholders. The successful candidate will provide strategic communications advice, spearhead proactive public relations, manage issues and crisis communications, and ensure our voice is influential and trusted among all audiences.
A core requirement is the ability to write with authority, clarity, and impact - producing speeches, ministerial briefings, media releases/statements, and corporate publications that are persuasive, accessible, and aligned with our strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
* Model our values and behaviours.
* Utilize an established network of journalists and editors, bringing these relationships into the role, while actively cultivating new contacts to lead proactive media relations and secure positive coverage across mainstream, regional, and industry outlets.
* Act as the first point of contact for media enquiries and prepare timely, accurate responses in collaboration with senior leadership.
* Develop and implement issues management strategies, including preparation of Q&As, holding statements, and coordinated responses to reputational risks.
* Support the preparation of briefing material for our management, Board Directors, and ministers.
* Coordinate responses to Questions on Notice (QoNs) and other formal government inquiries, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency with organisational messaging.
* Project manage the development and distribution of our corporate reports (e.g., annual report, strategic R&D plan, annual operational plan).
* Manage the corporate narrative and key messages, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and brand positioning; coordinate production of opinion pieces, speeches, and media releases.
* Drive best practice communications delivery, including the maintenance and adoption of our Brand Guidelines, Editorial Style Guide, Tone of Voice, and Audience Personas.
* Monitor and report on media coverage, stakeholder sentiment, and emerging issues affecting industries.
* Manage and deliver the corporate media calendar, including regular liaison with corporate PR providers and media outlets to generate positive publicity outcomes.
* Maintain daily interactions with suppliers, contractors, and agencies that assist with delivery of communications results.
* Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with internal and external key stakeholders.
Qualifications and Requirements
* Tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or equivalent relevant experience.
* Minimum 5+ years' experience in communications, media, or corporate affairs.
* High-level writing and editing skills for various audiences and channels, with excellent attention to detail.
* Established networks across the Australian media landscape (mainstream, regional, and industry), with a demonstrated track record of securing coverage and growing those networks.
* Demonstrated experience producing briefing materials for Boards, ministers, and senior executives.
* Project management experience in developing and delivering corporate publications and campaigns end-to-end.
* Experience in monitoring, analysing, and reporting on media coverage, stakeholder sentiment, and reputational risk, with ability to prepare concise, actionable reports for senior executives and Boards.