Communications Specialist

The Kids Research Institute Australia; Perth; Hybrid; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work practices

Hybrid working options

Salary packaging and entertainment

Job summary

The Kids Research Institute Australia is seeking a Communications Specialist to lead communications, promotion, and stakeholder engagement for Embrace, including its research, initiatives, and partnerships.

You will identify opportunities to communicate research findings, strengthen relationships with community members, service providers, researchers, and partners, and support delivery of research projects and events. Based in Perth, hybrid, full-time for an initial 2-year term.

Qualifications

• Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related discipline.
• Experience in communications/public relations in healthcare, research, or not-for-profit environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and evaluate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Align branding with The Kids Marketing team across all materials.
• Maintain a communications plan across newsletters, websites, media releases, reports, and social media.
• Coordinate media opportunities with the Central Communications team.

Skills

Communications

Public relations

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Education

Degree in communications/public relations/journalism

Job description

The Opportunity

Embrace at The Kids Research Institute Australia (The Kids) is Western Australia’s first research collaboration devoted to the mental health of infants, children, and young people ages 0-25. We work with researchers, the community, service providers, and partner organisations to support mental health research across The Kids that aligns with our community-led priorities.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Communications Specialist to lead communications, promotion, and stakeholder engagement for Embrace, including its research, initiatives, and partnerships.

In this role, you will identify opportunities to communicate research findings, demonstrate impact, strengthen stakeholder relationships with community members, service providers, researchers, funding partners, and the broader public, and support the successful delivery of research projects, community events, and strategic initiatives.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies that support strategic priorities, Theory of Change, partnership commitments, and research impact objectives.
• Work with The Kids Marketing team to ensure alignment of branding across all communications and promotional material.
• Develop and maintain an ongoing communications plan across a range of mediums including (but not limited to) electronic newsletters, website content, media releases, presentations, stakeholder and community reports, policy briefs, resources, and social media content.
• Work closely with the Central Communications team to manage and coordinate media opportunities including drafting of media releases and media events.

Based in our offices within Perth Children’s Hospital in Nedlands, this full-time role will be offered for an initial 2-year period.

About You

The successful candidate will hold a degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related discipline. You will also demonstrate:

• Experience in a communications/public relations capacity, preferably in a healthcare, research, or not-for-profit environment.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic communication strategies and plans including the ability to understand audience requirements and develop targeted and appropriate communication plans.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail and ability to translate technical concepts or research findings into appropriate language.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to network, build relationships and work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders.

At The Kids Research Institute Australia, we are committed to building a workplace culture that reflects the communities we serve. We actively recruit support and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, people of all ages, and those with diverse lived experiences. We also provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

If you meet many, but not all, of the role requirements, we encourage you to apply. We also welcome you to mention any career breaks in your cover letter to help us understand your journey.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in how we:

• Support staff-led inclusion and allyship groups.
• Offer flexible work practices that recognise different needs and life stages.
• Provide training, development and mentoring opportunities to increase inclusive leadership and create an environment where all staff can thrive.
• Partner with communities to strengthen cultural awareness and belonging.
• Ensure adjustments and accessible practices are available for diverse community groups.
• We continually strive to measure our progress and improve where we can.

Alongside our inclusive culture, you’ll enjoy:

• Extra annual leave at Christmas and Easter.
• Salary packaging and entertainment benefits.
• Health and wellbeing programs with weekly events.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• Recognition and professional development opportunities, including LinkedIn Learning.
• Modern offices with sit-to-stand desks and end-of-trip facilities.
• Staff discounts on travel, IT, stationery, and access to corporate health insurance.

Closing Date: 16/11/2026 -We reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date.

The Kids Research Institute Australia is committed to being champions of gender equity, diversity, and inclusivity. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, and cultures, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities and people living with disability. As such we are a proud Bronze award recipient of the first Australian Athena Swan Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot program.

We acknowledge that when working in environments which contribute to the healthand wellbeing of Aboriginal people, it is imperative that Aboriginal people are at the forefront of this work. We have launched the Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Strategy to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and researchers employed in the Institute who provide guidance and support in our work in Aboriginal health.