Director (Corporate Communications)

[What the role is]

As Director of Corporate Communications, you will lead the Communicable Diseases Agency’s corporate communications strategy and function, shaping how the Agency communicates and engages with the public, media and key stakeholders on communicable diseases prevention and management.
You will provide strategic counsel to senior management on communications issues and opportunities, strengthen CDA's reputation and public trust, and ensure CDA is ready to communicate effectively during both business-as-usual and public health emergencies.
This is a senior leadership role that calls for both strategic vision and operational excellence. You will lead a multidisciplinary team spanning media relations, marketing communications, communications research and quality service, bringing these capabilities together to deliver coherent, audience-centred communications.
Working alongside the Group Director, you will lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment, where clear, timely communication can make a real difference to public health outcomes.

[What you will be working on]

Media Relations and Strategic Communications:

 

• Set the strategic direction for CDA’s media relations and corporate communications, ensuring that the Agency communicates proactively, consistently and credibly on communicable disease and public health issues.
• Lead CDA's media engagement and issues management strategy, building strong relationships with the media and ensuring timely, accurate and accessible communication on communicable disease issues.
• Anticipate emerging issues and reputational risks, and provide strategic communications counsel to senior management on complex or sensitive matters.

Crisis Communications and Preparedness

• Lead CDA’s crisis and emergency communications capability, ensuring the Agency is prepared to communicate rapidly, clearly and credibly during infectious disease outbreaks and other public health incidents.
• Develop and maintain crisis communications plans, protocols and response mechanisms; and ensure communications readiness across the Agency.
• During incidents, provide strategic communications leadership, coordinate messaging and public information across relevant agencies and partners.

Marketing Communications and Public Engagement

• Set the direction for integrated marketing communications and public engagement efforts that build awareness and understanding of communicable diseases.
• Oversee integrated marketing and communications initiatives that translate complex public health information into clear and compelling content.
• Guide the development of campaigns and communications across digital, social and other channels to increase public awareness, understanding and action.

Communications Research and Insights

• Oversee communications research to understand public knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, behaviours and information needs relating to communicable diseases, as well as the effectiveness of CDA’s communications.
• Translate findings into actionable insights to inform communications strategies, audience segmentation, message development and channel selection.
• Establish meaningful measures of communications effectiveness and use evaluation to continually strengthen CDA’s approaches.

Quality Service and Public Experience

• Champion a citizen-centric approach to communications and service delivery.
• Oversee service quality policies, standards and processes, and strengthen capabilities across CDA to deliver clear, empathetic and effective responses to public enquiries and feedback.
• Use insights from public queries and feedback to identify information gaps and opportunities to improve how CDA communicates with members of the public. 

[What we are looking for]

• At least 15 years of experience in corporate communications within the government sector, a healthcare institution or a medium to large organisation, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven leadership experience in managing communications teams and strategic initiatives.
• Resilient leader and collaborative team player with demonstrated ability to inspire and develop team members while maintaining performance under pressure.
• Excellent communication, writing and editing skills, with ability to craft narratives for diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills for complex public health communications.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with tight timeframes and competing priorities.
• Experience in public health communications or a similarly complex institutional environment will be an advantage.
• As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.