* Executive Level 1
* $121,755 - $138,410 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
* Canberra
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is seeking a high calibre and motivated candidate to fill the role of Assistant Director, Corporate Communications and Creative Services. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and solutions-focused leader with excellent written and verbal communication skills, a strong eye for detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-profile environment. You will be comfortable working with internal and external stakeholders, interpreting legislative and policy guidance, coordinating contributions from across the agency, and delivering accurate, timely and fit-for-purpose corporate communications and reporting products.
A merit pool will also be established to fill future vacancies.
About the Branch
The Corporate Operations Branch comprises four sections that play key strategic leadership and advisory roles and deliver operational support to NHMRC across:
• Communication and Engagement
• Finance
• Governance and Legal
• People, Property and Security
The four Directors in Corporate Operations Branch operate under limited direction, reporting directly to the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer (SES Band 2).
About the Section
The Communication and Engagement section is a dynamic, creative and high-performing team at the heart of NHMRC’s mission to build a healthy Australia. The section connects people to purpose by delivering clear, consistent and engaging communication that helps staff, stakeholders and the public understand and value NHMRC’s work.
Working in close partnership with teams across NHMRC, the section leads and coordinates internal and external communications, including media relations and brand management, engagement activities and corporate reporting to help staff, stakeholders and the public understand NHMRC’s priorities, performance and impact.
This includes responsibility for internal and external communication channels, as well as key corporate products such as the Corporate Plan, Annual Report and performance reporting. The section manages and delivers NHMRC’s website, digital and social media content, supported by high-quality video and graphic design. The section also provides secretariat support to NHMRC’s Council and advisory committees, coordinates Parliamentary and Ministerial engagement, and supports internal events, staff engagement and recognition activities that celebrate NHMRC’s people and culture.
The team is collaborative, fast paced and outcomes focused, operating in a high profile APS environment with a strong emphasis on quality, accuracy and service.
Job specific duties
As Assistant Director, Corporate Communications and Creative Services, you will lead and support the delivery of NHMRC’s internal communications and events, organisational change management, corporate reporting and secretariat functions, including:
• Provide strategic communications advice and responsive support to client areas across the agency, including the CEO and Executive leadership team, and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to align messaging to agency priorities.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of internal communication strategies and plans, and develop and publish high-quality content across internal channels (including intranet/news, newsletters, talking points and scripts) using SharePoint and appropriate governance standards.
• Coordinate and draft key corporate reporting products, including the Corporate Plan and Annual Report, and manage strategic and operational performance reporting (including key performance measures and PGPA Act compliance), consolidating input from across NHMRC and interpreting relevant guidance.
• Provide high quality secretariat, governance and briefing support to NHMRC Council and advisory committees.
• Facilitate corporate planning processes (including Portfolio Budget Statement inputs, Corporate Plan, Annual Plan and branch/section business plans) by providing guidance, templates, coordination and quality assurance.
• Lead and manage a high performing team and deliver internal engagement activities and communication/creative products to a high standard, demonstrating flexibility and resilience to respond to evolving priorities.
Core capabilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:
• Adaptable leadership: Lead and support a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality communications, engagement and corporate reporting outcomes, encouraging collaboration, capability development and flexibility in response to changing priorities.
• Strategic thinking: Translate organisational priorities into clear, targeted communication and engagement strategies, and ensure corporate reporting products support transparency, performance and accountability.
• Stakeholder management: Proven ability to plan and deliver internal and external communications and engagement activities that are audience focused and aligned to organisational priorities.
• Writing and editorial excellence: Advanced writing and editing skills with strong attention to detail, producing accurate, clear and accessible materials suitable for senior stakeholders and public release.
• Collaboration and influence: Build and maintain productive relationships with executives, peers and external stakeholders to secure input, resolve issues and deliver outcomes across the agency.
• Corporate reporting and governance: Demonstrated understanding of APS governance, accountability and performance requirements, with the ability to support and contribute to corporate planning and performance reporting products in line with relevant guidance, timeframes and quality expectations.
Highly desirable
The following qualifications, demonstrated knowledge and experience will be highly regarded:
• A tertiary qualification in communications, public relations or a related field; and/or other relevant training or professional development.
• Experience supporting governance bodies or committees and/or contributing to corporate planning and performance reporting in the APS context.
• Experience coordinating events and engagement activities, including planning, logistics, stakeholder liaison and post-event evaluation.
• Experience working with digital platforms (such as SharePoint), creative applications (e.g. InDesign/Adobe Creative Suite), videography and collaborating with creative or design specialists to deliver accessible, on-brand content.
Mandatory requirement
The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.
Further information
Contact Carly Taylor on (02) 6217 9*** or email ************@nhmrc.gov.au
How to apply
You must submit a completed online application form with your Resume prior to the closing date and time.
NHMRC is an inclusive and diverse employer that supports gender equity and diversity in leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including People with Disability, First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, mature age people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a position at NHMRC, you must be an Australian citizen and be able to provide evidence of this. If successful, you will also be required to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
Applications close
7:00 PM AEST Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
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