Senior Corporate Communications Lead

• Fixed Term contract for 12 months, Full Time
• $110.506.76 per annum plus Superannuation
• Join the Strategic Communications & Advocacy team

Hume City Council is one of Australia’s fastest growing and culturally diverse councils. We put the customer and our community at the centre of all that we do, ensuring our services are efficient and accessible.

The Senior Corporate Communications Lead plays a lead strategic advisory role within the Strategic Communications Department and acts as a trusted business partner to the organisation. 

The role is responsible for leading corporate, executive and reputational communications across Council and providing high-level strategic communications advice to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Senior Leadership Team, Mayor and Councillors. 

The position leads integrated communications planning and delivery for major organisational priorities, executive communications, issues management, organisational change and high-risk or politically sensitive matters, while safeguarding and enhancing Council’s reputation. 

The role develops strategic communications approaches that are audience-centred, insight-led and aligned to Council priorities and community expectations, ensuring communications activities are proactive, coordinated, accessible and effective. 

The Senior Corporate Communications Lead provides strategic oversight and guidance to advisors and contributes to a high-performing, trusted and customer-focused communications service.

What you’ll be doing:

• Support the Coordinator, Corporate Communications in leading strategic communications support for the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Mayor and Councillors.
• Develop strategic messaging, corporate narratives and integrated internal and external communications approaches for major organisational priorities, initiatives and sensitive matters.  
• Lead reputational risk assessment and communications mitigation planning across organisational initiatives and issues.
• Provide high-level strategic advice on politically sensitive, complex or high-risk communications matters.
• Support with strategic media planning and proactive storytelling opportunities that strengthen Council’s reputation and support organisational priorities.
• Coordinate high-risk media responses, statements and messaging for complex issues and major organisational matters.
• Act as a trusted communications advisor and strategic business partner across assigned portfolios and directorates.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
• Provide mentoring, guidance and support to Communications and Media Advisors and contribute to a collaborative and high performing team culture.

The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role:

• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering integrated communications strategies, campaigns and plans within a complex organisation or political environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-level strategic communications advice to senior stakeholders, including executive leadership, elected officials or senior decision-makers. 
• Highly developed stakeholder relationship management, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted partnerships across a large and complex organisation.  
• Demonstrated experience identifying and managing reputational, political and organisational risks, including the ability to exercise sound judgement and determine appropriate escalation pathways. 
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing strategic communications materials such as key messages, briefing notes, speeches, media materials and executive communications.  
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity and deliver strategic communications outcomes within tight deadlines and changing organisational environments.  
• Demonstrated understanding of audience-centred and insight-led communications approaches, including the ability to develop communications that are accessible, targeted and effective across diverse audiences and communities.  
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate end-to-end communications activities and guide communications delivery across multiple stakeholders, projects and channels.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement and customer-focused service delivery. 

Required Certifications & Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related discipline, with substantial demonstrated experience in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement or corporate communications.  
• A current driver’s licence. 

Why Hume City Council?

A leader in local government, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment that is guided by our values:

We’re better, every day: We give things a go and value progress over perfection. We have permission to go for it and are expected to reflect and learn.

We’re in it together: At Hume, everyone matters. We Welcome and include all. Respect and safety are expected.

We show up: We empower and trust others and own our work. We rise to the challenges and are expected to do what we say we will.

All for Hume: We strive to achieve our best for the Hume Community. We are proud and passionate about working towards better outcomes and expect they are at the centre of everything we do.

We offer a competitive salary package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

A child safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. Council encourages people of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

All candidates will be required to undertake background and probity checks including Reference Checks, Working with Children Check, and a Criminal Record Check.

For any queries, please contact us at [email protected].

Applications will be reviewed progressively throughout the advertising period. This role may close once a sufficient number of suitable applicants has been received. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as early as possible.

Senior Corporate Communications Lead - Position Description