External Communications Manager

The Salvation Army; Darwin; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Flexible working

Health & discounts

Parental leave

Purchase leave

Volunteer leave

Career development

Employee Assistance Program

Inclusive culture

Job summary

The Salvation Army is seeking an External Communications Lead to join the Darwin Regional Administrative Office. You will shape and connect our communications with community partners, government stakeholders and media, driving engagement across nationwide initiatives.

Demonstrated senior leadership communications experience, media relations skills and confident public speaking are essential. Not-for-profit sector knowledge is highly regarded, with flexible, purpose-driven work culture.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the Communications strategy across the Division in line with mission, vision and brand.
• Provide strategic communications advice, briefings and updates to leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with Local, Territory and Federal Government stakeholders to advance objectives.
• Drive community engagement initiatives to strengthen presence and impact.
• Develop and manage media relationships with national teams for proactive and reactive activity.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support fundraising campaigns, schools engagement and major events.
• Identify partnerships and opportunities to support advocacy, fundraising and mission outcomes.
• Maintain stakeholder records and provide insights for government and community relations.
• Monitor issues and risks; develop mitigation and response strategies.
• Ensure communications comply with legislation, policies, values and standards.

Skills

Executive engagement

Media relations

Public speaking

Stakeholder relationships

CMS & social media

Not-for-profit knowledge

Education

Diploma in Business/PR

Job description

About us

The Salvation Army 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, we are always here — providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.

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

• 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

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, we are always here — providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.

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 Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration.

Mission, Vision & Values

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus.

We share the love of Jesus by:

• Caring for people
• Creating faith pathways
• Building healthy communities
• Working for justice

When you work with the Salvos, you help make a real difference to the community and the lives of others.

Find more information here.

Check out how we’re bringing some more good in the world.

Why work with the Salvos?

The Salvation Army offers a range of employment opportunities across the organisation, including those in community programs, aged care, retail, employment services, corporate and other support services.

When you choose to work with the Salvos, you choose to believe in doing good that transforms the lives of people and communities facing hardship or crisis.

Our employees have access to a range of benefits, plus personal development and career diversity opportunities that deliver real and meaningful benefits.

Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a healthy work-life balance, generous salary packaging opportunities, parental leave, purchase leave schemes and much more.

The Salvation Army encourages people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply.

Check out our career page to find out more about our recruitment process and what its like to work at the Salvos.

We are always on the lookout for individuals keen to help us fulfil mission to support those in need.

Along with contributing their valuable time to a good cause, volunteers bring much-needed vitality and a fresh perspective through their ideas to the range of roles we have on offer.

Whatever your skillset, availability, or areas of interest, we are keen to hear from you.

Check out our volunteer opportunities here.