About the role
The Principal Strategy Adviser sits within the Office of the Lord Mayor (LMO) and offers an exciting opportunity to for an experienced and resilient leader to deepen their expertise directly within a political office. Working closely with the Chief of Staff (LMO) you will develop and implement a range of strategies, including media, communications, and public affairs, to support the Lord Mayor's priorities and Council objectives.
You will work across the organisation and collaborate with your colleagues to ensure that the LMO has the relevant information on hand to triage complex, political and often sensitive matters in a considered and thorough way.
In this role you will....
* Provide advice on communications, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management, ensuring consistent and effective messaging across all channels.
* Provide advice on proactive and reactive media relations, including media statements, speeches and briefings for the Lord Mayor.
* Support the Chief of Staff in crisis and issues management, providing timely advice and managing sensitive matters to protect and enhance the reputation of the Lord Mayor and the City of Melbourne.
* Support the Lord Mayor's engagement in major projects, advocacy, and partnerships, ensuring alignment with Council's strategic plans and community expectations.
* Oversee the development and delivery of public campaigns, events, and initiatives that promote the City's vision and achievements.
About you...
You will bring significant experience across media, communications and strategy development and are able to make sense of complex political matters that require immediate attention. You are an experienced people leader and will support the broader LMO with triaging queries in addition to directly leading and coaching the Media Adviser.
Bringing your communications expertise - you can confidently prepare speeches, media releases and briefings within tight timelines and are able to bring stakeholders together when required.
This is an exciting opportunity to directly contribute to the City of Melbourne's council goals and vision.
Benefits of working with us....
Attractive remuneration & benefits: Excellent pay package with a range of exciting benefits & other great corporate discounts.
Excellent leave entitlements: Enjoy up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to the government-funded parental leave.
Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment.
How to apply...
We would love to hear how you can make an impact in this role As part of your application, you will be required to:
* Attach your updated resume
* Include a cover letter (max one page) outlining your relevant experience and why you are a great fit for this role.
* Submit your application no later than 11:45pm on Thursday 26 February, 2026
Need more info?
Please refer to the position description below or contact Nick Leys, Chief of Staff Lord Mayor's Office, or Quetta Serradura-Talent Acquisition, Team leader,
* Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided.
* Apply early We reserve the right to close this advertised role sooner than the listed closing date if we find the right candidate.
* We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and, for most roles, a Working with Children Check.
Inclusion matters
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone belongs
We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you are contacted for an interview.