Communications Manager

Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide seeks a Communications Manager to lead the development and delivery of strategic communications for the Archdiocese, both internally and publicly. This pivotal role focuses on promoting the Church’s mission, managing media relations, and driving digital and print communications across multiple channels.

You will oversee editorial direction, governance-aligned policies, and the Southern Cross publication, while guiding a team and ensuring safeguarding

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related discipline with 10+ years experience is highly regarded.
• Proven ability to manage high-profile, sensitive and time-critical media issues.
• Must understand safeguarding obligations and complete mandatory safeguarding training.
• Experience working with youth and/or safeguarding practices when interacting with children/youth.
• Demonstrated success in identifying opportunities for positive media engagement and mitigating reputational risk.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic Church.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communications across the Archdiocese and drive key organisational reports.
• Promote the Archdiocese's mission and pastoral priorities through targeted communication strategies.
• Oversee digital and print communications, including website, intranet, newsletters, social media and annual reports.
• Manage media relations, releases and support for senior leadership.
• Establish and lead the Communications Advisory Group to drive priorities.
• Oversee editorial direction and publication of the Southern Cross newspaper.
• Manage operations, budget and continuous improvement of the Communications Office.
• Develop, implement and review safeguarding policies in governance frameworks.
• Represent the Archdiocese at national church communications forums and events.
• Lead, mentor and develop the Communications team; performance management and development.
• Ensure compliance with Archdiocesan policies and safety requirements.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Leadership

People management

Crisis communications

Public relations

Stakeholder engagement

Safeguarding compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/PR/Journalism

Job description

The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide positively impacts the lives of its members through the development and delivery of human services related programs and offerings. With head office in the Adelaide CBD and multiple sites throughout South Australia, a rewarding opportunity for a Communications Manager is currently available.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk. There is zero-tolerance to abuse of any kind. All employees are required to comply with all Safeguarding policies and procedures and act in accordance with the Archdiocesan Code of Conduct and National Code of Conduct for Church personnel, Integrity in Our Common Mission.

About the Role:

This is an importance role for the Catholic Church in South Australia at a time of exciting change as the Church seems to explore new technologies to promote the life and mission of the Church and increase participation in the life of the Archdiocese. The Manager is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the strategic communications functions across the Archdiocese.

The Manager promotes the work of the Archdiocese in the community and within the Church and manages internal and external communications of the Archdiocese.

In this rewarding role, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of the Archdiocese's strategic communications, initiatives and key organisational reports.
• Promote the Archdiocese's mission and pastoral priorities through targeted communication strategies.
• Oversee the management and continuous improvement of digital and print communications, including the website, intranet, e-newsletters, social media and annual reports.
• Manage all media relations, including proactive and reactive communications, media releases, and support for the Archbishop, Vicar General and senior leadership.
• Establish and lead the Communications Advisory Group to drive strategic communication priorities.
• Oversee the editorial direction, production and publication of the Southern Cross newspaper.
• Manage the operations, budget and continuous improvement of the Catholic Communications Office.
• Develop, implement and review communications policies in line with Archdiocesan governance frameworks.
• Represent the Archdiocese at national Church communications forums and community events.
• Lead, mentor and develop the Communications team through effective performance management, workload planning and professional development.
• Ensure compliance with all Archdiocesan policies, Work Health and Safety, Integrity and Safeguarding requirements.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related discipline, with extensive communications and media experience (10+ years highly regarded).
• Proven ability to manage high-profile, sensitive and time-critical media issues.
• Previous experience working with youth and/or must be able demonstrate a thoroughunderstanding of appropriate behaviours and protective safeguarding practices when interacting with children and young people.
• An understanding of their obligations as a mandated notifier and agrees to complete mandatory safeguarding training as set by the Safeguarding Operations Team within the Integrity & Safeguarding Department of the Archdiocese.
• Demonstrated success in identifying opportunities for positive media engagement and mitigating reputational risk.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Child Safe Organisation. All employees and volunteers of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide are required to undergo and retain a valid Working with Children Check, as outlined in the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016, and are required to fulfil their legal and ethical obligations as Mandated Notifiers under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.