External Communications Manager

The Salvation Army Australia; Darwin; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army Australia seeks an External Communications Lead to drive the organisation's public engagement and media strategy from the Darwin Regional Administrative Office. You will build partnerships with government, community organisations and stakeholders, guide strategic communications across divisions, and support fundraising campaigns and major events.

This permanent, full‑time role offers a leadership platform to raise the Salvos' profile nationwide while upholding our values of

Qualifications

• Diploma in Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or related discipline.
• Experience engaging and influencing at executive and senior leadership levels.
• Strong relationship-building with diverse stakeholders.
• Media relations experience; ability to represent the organisation.
• Confident public speaker with experience presenting to diverse audiences.
• Experience across CMS, social media, print and radio.
• Not-for-profit sector experience is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the communications strategy across the Division.
• Provide strategic communications advice to leadership.
• Build relationships with Local, territory, and Federal Government stakeholders.
• Drive community engagement initiatives across the Division.
• Develop and manage media relationships with national teams.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support fundraising campaigns and major events.
• Identify partnerships to support advocacy and mission outcomes.
• Maintain stakeholder engagement records and provide insights for government and community relations.
• Monitor emerging issues and develop mitigation and response strategies.
• Ensure all communications comply with policies, values and standards.

Skills

Executive-level engagement

Relationship-building

Public speaking

Multi-channel communications

Media relations

Strategic advisory

Education

Diploma in Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or related discipline

Tools

CMS

Social media

Print

Radio

Job description

About the Role:

We are seeking a skilled and motivated External Communications Lead to join our Communications team and play a crucial role in supporting The Salvation Army’s diverse initiatives nationwide. This is a permanent, full-time position based in Darwin Regional Administrative Office.

Purpose of the Role:

The External Communications Lead exists to create and connect The Salvation Army’s links to community partners, focusing on areas such as territory and local government, territory and local media, service groups and community organisations across the breadth of society. The role is accountable for territory-based community engagement initiatives and will provide support and collaboration in Communications portfolio activities. This role’s remit is to lift community connections and build and maintain positive relationships on behalf of the Salvation Army Australia.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of The Salvation Army’s Communications strategy across the Division, ensuring alignment with mission, vision, and brand.
• Provide strategic communications advice, briefings, and updates to Divisional and Territory leadership.
• Build and maintain influential relationships with Local, territory, and Federal Government stakeholders to advance organisational objectives.
• Drive community engagement initiatives that strengthen The Salvation Army’s presence and impact across the Division.
• Develop and manage media relationships, partnering with national communications teams on proactive and reactive media activity.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support fundraising campaigns, schools engagement programs, and major organisational events.
• Identify and leverage strategic partnerships, networks, and opportunities that support advocacy, fundraising, and mission outcomes.
• Maintain key stakeholder engagement records and provide insights that inform government and community relations activities.
• Monitor emerging issues, reputational risks, and public interest topics, developing appropriate mitigation and response strategies.
• Ensure all communications, publications, and media activities comply with legislation, organisational policies, values, and industry standards.

Education and Qualifications Required:

• Diploma in Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related discipline (preferred).
• Demonstrated experience engaging and influencing at executive and senior leadership levels.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to develop trusted partnerships across stakeholders.
• Media relations experience, with a proven ability to represent and promote an organisation effectively (preferred).
• Confident public speaker with experience presenting to diverse audiences.
• Experience across multiple communication channels, including content management systems (CMS), social media, print, and radio (preferred).
• Understanding of the not-for-profit or charitable sector would be highly regarded.

Requirements of the role:

• National Police Check
• Valid Drivers license
• Working with Children’s check

What we offer

• As a registered NFP we offer our eligible employees real and meaningful benefits such as;
• NFP salary packaging ($15,900 tax free) plus meals and entertainment benefit ($2,650)
• Flexible working conditions
• Health, fitness and financial discounts / benefits
• Paid parental leave - 12 weeks
• Up to 8 weeks leave per year through our purchase leave scheme
• Up to 5 days paid leave per year to ‘volunteer’ in a TSA program or activity
• Purpose driven career which has positive social and sustainable outcomes
• Employee Assistance Program - Independent confidential counselling service, opportunity for career development;
• An inclusive culture of dedicated, passionate and professional team members
• Positively supporting and impacting the lives of others through your career contribution.

About us

The Salvation Army (Salvos) is a Christian movement and one of Australia's largest and most-loved charities. We believe in doing good that transforms lives and futures for the better. It is this belief which drives us to find new ways and places where we can make a difference. From times of personal crisis to moments of national grief, the Salvos are always there providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.

Applications will close as soon as a suitable candidate is secured.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory National Police Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration.