ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

Child Protection; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 138.000 - 169.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The Department for Child Protection in Adelaide is seeking an experienced Assistant Director of Communications and Engagement to lead the department's external messaging and engagement strategy. You will shape how the community understands the department's work and protect its reputation in a high-profile environment.

Based in the Office of the Chief Executive, you will provide strategic advice to senior leaders and oversee media, digital and engagement content across channels, ensuring timely,

Qualifikationen

• Experience leading strategic communications, media or corporate affairs in a large organisation.
• Strong understanding of government and ministerial environments.
• Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and build effective relationships.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and projects.
• Expertise in reputation and issues management, with a focus on stakeholder engagement.
• Commitment to culturally safe and inclusive approaches that consider and recognise Aboriginal perspectives.

Aufgaben

• Lead communications strategies that support the department's purpose and priorities.
• Oversee media, digital and engagement initiatives to shape public messaging.
• Provide strategic communications advice to senior leaders, including the Chief Executive and Minister.
• Guide content across social media and other channels to ensure timely, clear and engaging communications.

Kenntnisse

Strategic communications

Media relations

Government environment

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Written communication

Jobbeschreibung

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

Reference 2CE72759

External Vacancy – Open to Everyone

Division: Department for Child Protection

Location: Adelaide CBD

Salary Range: $153,887

Classification: SS/SM2

Engagement Type: Ongoing

Closing Date: 01 Nov 2026 11:00 PM

Role Highlights

Full-time ongoing appointment

Lead communications that support a purpose-driven organisation

Oversee a diverse range of media, digital and creative initiatives.

Shape the conversation. Influence public understanding. Make an impact.

As theAssistant Director, Communications and Engagement, you will lead communications that bring the Department for Child Protection's work to life, strengthen public understanding and shape how the department is seen by the community.

Working within theOffice of the Chief Executive, you will provide strategic communications advice to senior leaders, including the Chief Executive and Minister, and lead the department's response to emerging issues, sensitive matters and high-profile media attention. You will have the opportunity to influence public messaging, protect the department's reputation and ensure our communications are timely, clear and effective.

You will lead the department's media, digital and engagement approach, guiding content across social media and other channels to ensure it is contemporary, engaging and tailored to diverse audiences. Through your leadership, you will help communicate the department's priorities, explain its role and services, and build community understanding of its work.

This is a role for an experienced communications professional who thrives in a dynamic, high-profile environment. You will bring sound judgement, strategic thinking and the ability to anticipate issues, navigate complexity and respond confidently as priorities evolve. If you are motivated by the opportunity to influence, lead and make a meaningful difference through communications, this is your opportunity to have an impact.

What you will bring:

• Experience leading strategic communications, media or corporate affairs in a large organisation
• A strong understanding of government and ministerial environments, with a clear and confident approach to advising senior executives
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and build effective relationships
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and projects
• Expertise in reputation and issues management, with a focus on stakeholder engagement
• A commitment to culturally safe and inclusive approaches that consider and recognise Aboriginal perspectives.

Why apply:

This is an opportunity to lead communications that help people understand the work we do and why it matters. By bringing greater visibility to our purpose and the outcomes we deliver, you will contribute to how our department is understood by the community.

Children, young people and families are at the centre of everything we do. You’ll help bring the department’s vision to life, highlighting our commitment to helping children and young people grow up safe, healthy and supported to reach their full potential.

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) plays a key role in the protection of children, young people and their families within South Australia. The department provides support to vulnerable children and young people to be safe, strong and connected.

Contact Us

Enquiries to Lia Fontanarosa - Executive Support Officer

Enquiries to Lia Fontanarosa - Executive Support Officer Email communication is preferred [e-mail]

Our workplace reflects the diverse communities we serve, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where everyone feels supported.