Communications Advisor - Darwin

East Arnhem Regional Council; Darwin; On-site; AUD 105,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

East Arnhem Regional Council seeks a Communications Advisor to strengthen its profile and engagement with employees, communities and stakeholders in Darwin. You will develop and coordinate high-quality materials, oversee branding, and deliver proactive news, media and social updates highlighting Council services and achievements.

You will also support strategic communication planning, community engagement, major publications and events, ensuring messages are timely, accessible and aligned with

Qualifications

• NDIS Worker Screening Clearance (must be current)
• Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation, planning and time management skills
• Extensive experience in public relations and developing strategic communication plans
• Excellent knowledge of effective communication, public relations and promotion and media operations
• Strong ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences and explain complex issues clearly
• Commitment to customer service, professionalism and alignment with Council values
• Effective project management skills
• Ability to engage with multiple stakeholders at all levels of diversity and industry
• Proficiency in written communication and advanced design tools (InDesign/Illustrator/Photoshop/Acrobat)
• Willingness to travel to remote communities
• Current NT Driver's Licence (C Class)

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Council's media engagement and respond to media inquiries with CEO approval
• Lead and mentor staff in creating effective communication materials
• Develop social media strategies and branding oversight
• Produce promotions, information booklets, visuals, and ensure consistency of public documents
• Assist with layout of annual plan, annual report, strategic plan and grant applications
• Prepare and distribute media releases, news articles, speeches for Council and leadership
• Liaise with internal and external clients to promote activities and events
• Maintain Council website and social media platforms
• Undertake desktop publishing with Adobe InDesign
• Facilitate internal communications across the organisation
• Comply with Workplace Health and Safety policies and participate in training
• Undertake other duties as directed by CEO/Directors

Skills

Public relations

Strategic communication

Verbal and written comms

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Microsoft Office

Copywriting

Education

NDIS Worker Screening Clearance

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Acrobat DC

Web management software

Job description

Communications Advisor - Darwin

The Communications Advisor will play a key role in strengthening Council's profile and engagement with employees, communities and stakeholders. The role will be responsible for developing and coordinating high-quality communication materials, maintaining Council's brand identity, and delivering proactive news, media and social media updates that promote Council's services, initiatives and achievements. The position will also support strategic communication planning, community engagement, major publications and the promotion of Council activities, programs and events, ensuring communications are consistent, timely, accessible and aligned with Council's strategic priorities.

What you'll do:

• Coordinate and have overall responsibility for Council's engagement in all forms of media and advice and seek the approval of the Chief Executive Officer to respond to media enquiries as appropriate.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and support to a range of Council staff on the development of effective communication materials, including the most effective method/s and timing of their release.
• Develop communications and social media strategies for the Council, including ownership of branding and oversight of strategy implementation.
• Develop and produce quality promotions including information booklets, visual media presentations and other printed material. Contribute to design and ensure consistency on all Council related public documents and submissions.
• Under direction, contribute to the layout and presentation of the Annual Plan, Annual Report, Strategic Plan and assist with grant applications as required.
• Prepare and distribute approved media releases, news articles, documents, speeches and other presentations on behalf of Council, the President, Councillors, CEO and senior staff as required.
• Liaise with internal and external clients to advertise and promote Council activities, events and initiatives.
• Primary maintenance of Council's website, Facebook and other social media platforms.
• Undertake in-house desktop publishing (Adobe InDesign) to ensure corporate designs are applied appropriately.
• Facilitate regular internal communications to staff across the organisation.
• Comply with all Workplace Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Actively participate in all offered training and development opportunities.
• Undertake other duties as directed by the Chief Executive Officer and/or Directors in line with the primary objective of the position and Council objectives.

What We're Looking For:

Essential

• Must have, or be able to obtain and maintain, a current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, negotiation, organisational, planning and time management skills.
• Extensive experience and skills in public relations and developing strategic communication plans.
• Excellent knowledge of the principles of effective communication, public relations and promotion and media operations.
• Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages and communication strategies to a diverse target audience, and communicate complex and sensitive issues in plain language and visual context.
• Strong commitment to customer service, professionalism, community, enthusiasm and motivation and alignment with Councils core values.
• Effective project management skills.
• Ability to successfully engage with multiple stakeholders at all levels of varying diversity and industry.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written communication and advanced Microsoft Office capability, advanced design proficiency including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat DC and web management software.
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel in light aircraft and/or unsealed roads to remote communities.
• Current NT C Class Driver's License.

Desirable

• Other relevant qualifications and related experience .
• Previous experience living and/or working in remote Australian First Nations' communities.
• Demonstrated high level of cross-cultural awareness to ensure effective participation in a multi-cultural workplace.
• Awareness of issues affecting First Nations People in Australia .

What You'll Get

• Salary:(Level 7) - $105 ,120.53 - $111, 522.46 per Anum
• Annual salary review under the Enterprise Agreement
• The opportunity to live and work in a unique, community‑driven environment where your contribution truly matters

Employment is subject to a Criminal History Check and NT Working with Children Clearance. Travel to remote communities may be required.

East Arnhem Regional Council is anEqual Employment Opportunity (EEO)employer and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.