Head of Communications

Sydney Children's Hospitals Network; Sydney; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work opportunities

Salary packaging and mealEntertainment

Accrued days off (ADOs)

Fitness passport

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job summary

Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) hosts the NCIRS Head of Communications, delivering strategic leadership in national and international immunisation communication and engagement. The role shapes reputation, informs policy and supports partnerships across government health, academia and global health programmes.

Operating with leadership autonomy, the role provides expert advice to executives, leads a multidisciplinary team, and drives continuous improvement in communications for

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications and/or extensive leadership in strategic communication at national/international level.
• Experience advising executives and senior leaders with high-level communication strategies.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and stakeholder-partnership skills.
• Proven ability to lead integrated internal and external communications programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for NCIRS communication, engagement and reputation management.
• Develop and implement contemporary communication frameworks aligning with priorities.
• Lead and manage the Communication and Engagement team and drive improvement.
• Collaborate with government health, academic, community and international partners.
• Ensure quality and safety in health research communications.

Skills

Strategic communication

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Reputation management

Public health messaging

Education

Tertiary qualifications in communications or public health

Job description

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until 30 June 2029

Position Classification: Health Mgr Lvl 4

Remuneration: 153559 - 182954 full-time equivalent base salary range (+12% super + 17.5% leave loading and salary packaging)

Hours Per Week: 38

Requisition ID: REQ694677

Location: Westmead

Applications Close: Midnight on 7 October 2026

For role related queries or questions contact Elizabeth Wareham on [e-mail]

At the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, every role helps children and young people live their healthiest lives. As the largest paediatric health service in Australia, we care for thousands of children each year, in hospital and at home. Our people are united by compassion, collaboration and excellence in care.

What You'll Be Doing

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS) is the leading research organisation in Australia that provides objective expert advice on all aspects of vaccine‑preventable diseases (VPDs), vaccines, and other issues related to immunisation, to inform policy and planning for immunisation services in Australia and to support the control of VPDs across the whole life‑course. NCIRS also has a growing Global Health program that works to support countries, particularly those in the Asia‑Pacific region, on their immunisation system strengthening efforts. This work is funded through agreements with the Australian and New South Wales governments, including the Australian Centre for Disease Control, as well as other funding agencies.

The Head of Communication provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of NCIRS communication, engagement and reputation management functions. The position is accountable for developing and implementing contemporary communication and engagement strategies that enhance organisational reputation, influence public health outcomes and strengthen confidence in NCIRS as a trusted national and international leader in immunisation research, surveillance and policy.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the role provides expert strategic advice to the NCIRS Executive and senior leaders, and key stakeholders on complex communication, engagement reputation, and organisational change matters. The position leads and attributes to the development of integrated communication frameworks, governance structures and engagement approaches that support strategic priorities, research translation and effective partnerships across government health, academic, community and international sectors.

As a member of the leadership team, the Head of Communications contributes to organisational strategy planning and decision‑making, ensuring communication and engagement considerations are embedded within major initiatives, research programs and operational priorities.

The role leads and manages the Communication and Engagement team, setting strategic direction and ensuring the delivery of high‑quality communication services that support NCIRS's research, policy and stakeholder objectives. The position is responsible for building team capability, fostering innovation and driving continuous improvement to achieve measurable organisational outcomes.

In addition to broad functions within NCIRS, the position contributes to a culture of quality, safety, integrity and excellence in health research and supports the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) commitment to improving health outcomes for children and communities.

Additional Benefits (where applicable)

• Flexible work opportunities
• Salary packaging and meal entertainment benefits
• Accrued days off (ADOs)
• Fitness passport
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Child Safe Standards

SCHN is committed to maintaining a child‑safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, in line with NSW Health's commitment to the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well‑being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

Additional Information

SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity, recognising that a diverse workforce strengthens our culture and enhances the care we provide to children, young people and their families.

Permanent NSW Health roles require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Temporary visa holders may be considered where no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident is identified.

NSW Health vaccination and screening requirements must be met prior to commencement.

This position requires a Working with Children Check (WWCC) issued by the Office of the Children's Guardian.

Where required overseas qualifications must be formally assessed by the Department of Education or relevant authority for recognition in Australia.

An Eligibility List may be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. We recognise the value of Aboriginal staff providing health care to Aboriginal children and families. For application support, visit the NSW Health Aboriginal Recruitment tool, Stepping Up to assist in preparing your application, or contact the SCHN’s Aboriginal Workforce Consultant at [e-mail]

For technical support please contact 1300 679 367

Learn more about The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

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Key Responsibilities and Qualifications

• Aresume(maximum 5 pages) outlining your experience
• Responses to the questions below:
• Tertiary qualifications and/ or extensive experience leading strategic communication and engagement functions within a complex health, research, government or public sector environment at a National and International level.
• Demonstrated ability to provide high level communication advice and strategic recommendation to executives and senior leaders.
• Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills with a proven ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated success in leading integrated internal and external communication programs that support organisational objectives and stakeholder outcomes.
• Proven experience in issues and communication risk management, and protecting organisational reputation in complex and sensitive environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, governance and reporting requirements to achieve strategic and operational outcomes.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams, including workforce planning, performance management, capability development and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate a culture of quality and patient safety in clinical research.