APS5 Communications Officer

HorizonOne; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15.4% Super

Job summary

HorizonOne is recruiting for an APS5 level Communications role based in Canberra on a 12-month non-ongoing contract. The role blends content development with campaign planning, budgets, timelines, procurement and contract management within the federal government’s health portfolio.

You will work on national campaigns, engage with external agencies and cross‑government stakeholders, and deliver high‑quality content across channels while ensuring compliance with Commonwealth processes.

Qualifications

• Experience at APS5 level within state or federal government campaigns, communications or media.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse channels.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines under pressure.
• Experience managing components of projects, including budgets and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the planning, development and delivery of communication strategies and national campaigns
• Writing and preparing content across web, social media, digital channels, media and marketing materials
• Planning and tracking campaign budgets and timelines
• Managing day‑to‑day administration, procurement and contract management for communication services
• Coordinating approvals and following Australian Government campaign development requirements
• Preparing for and running meetings with internal stakeholders and external communication agencies
• Contributing to reporting and compliance processes
• Building and maintaining working relationships with internal, cross‑government and external stakeholders

Skills

Campaign management

Content development

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Procurement processes

Job description

Our client is a large federal government department whose work affects the health and wellbeing of people across Australia.

Its in-house communication branch provides strategic communication, campaign management, stakeholder engagement, content production and market research to support the department’s priorities.

The Opportunity

This is a 12-month non-ongoing contract within the communications branch, a role that will see you taking campaigns from planning through to delivery.

It is a hands‑on role that combines writing and content development with the budget, timeline and procurement work that keeps government campaigns on track.

You’ll have a chance to:

• Work on national campaigns that reach a broad public audience across web, social, digital, media and print channels
• Build a practical understanding of how Australian Government campaigns are developed, approved and delivered
• Gain hands‑on experience with campaign budgets, timelines, procurement and contracts, skills that carry into more senior communication roles
• Work directly with external communication agencies and cross‑government stakeholders
• Develop content on a range of health topics rather than a single program

The Role

You will support the delivery of campaigns and communication strategies, with a genuine mix of content development and project administration.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the planning, development and delivery of communication strategies and national campaigns
• Writing and preparing content across web, social media, digital channels, media and public relations activity, marketing materials and information products
• Planning and tracking campaign budgets and timelines
• Managing day‑to‑day administration, procurement and contract management for communication services, in line with Commonwealth processes
• Coordinating approvals and following Australian Government campaign development requirements
• Preparing for and running meetings with internal stakeholders and external communication agencies
• Contributing to reporting and compliance processes
• Building and maintaining working relationships with internal, cross‑government and external stakeholders

The Ideal Person

You have experience at the APS5 level within state or federal government campaigns, communications, and/or media.

You will bring the following skills and experience:

• Experience in communications or marketing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high‑quality materials for different channels and audiences
• Strong organisation and time management, and the judgement to manage competing priorities and deadlines under pressure
• Experience managing components of projects, including budgets and timelines
• A client service focus and the ability to build productive working relationships
• Comfort working within a small team as well as across broader project teams

An Australian citizenship is required for this role.

Salary / Rate

• $90k – $98k + 15.4% Super
• 12-month non-ongoing contract, full-time.
• Based in Canberra, with a flexible arrangement of 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home.
• Open to considering applicants from Melbourne and Adelaide

HorizonOne is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and we encourage applications from people of all cultures, capabilities and backgrounds.