Head of Strategic Communications

eHealth NSW; Willoughby; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Work-life balance

Job summary

eHealth NSW is seeking a Head of Strategic Communications to lead a large, dynamic team and drive strategic internal and external communications across NSW Health. The role informs, engages and inspires the workforce, elevating our corporate narrative.

The role requires strong leadership, media management, and stakeholder engagement skills to ensure clear, consistent messaging across a complex health system. Hybrid work options available in Chatswood/St Leonard’s area.

Qualifications

• Extensive strategic communications experience within a large, complex organisation.
• Demonstrated leadership capability managing communications teams, building capability and a high-performing culture.
• Exceptional media and issues management expertise with senior leaders.
• Strong analytical and storytelling skills using data and insights to shape narratives.
• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic communication plans aligning with organisational priorities and stakeholder needs.
• Shape the organisation's reputation through proactive media engagement and public affairs leadership.
• Provide trusted advice to the Chief Executive and senior executives on complex issues.
• Drive brand awareness and engagement through targeted campaigns and events.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary communications team delivering high-performing outcomes.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Public affairs

Brand management

Executive communications

Education

Communications degree

Job description

Head of Strategic Communications (Health Manager Level 5)

An exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join eHealth NSW in a key strategic role leading strategic communications that inform, engage and inspire the NSW Health workforce.

• Full Time Permanent
• Hybrid flexibility for work-life balance | Chatswood, St Leonards location
• Attractive salary, from $180,279 - $201,662 + 12% Super + 17.5% annual leave loading
• Applications Close: 11:59pm, Wednesday 28th October

About Us

eHealth NSW is NSW Health’s digital centre of excellence driving digital transformation and providing world-class ICT for Australia’s largest health system. eHealth NSW provide state-wide digital health leadership, driving the delivery of NSW's digital health strategy. We work in partnership with local health districts, specialty health networks, pillars and other health organisations to provide world-leading ICT solutions that support the health and wellness needs of NSW communities now and into the future. Our 2,000 staff manage and support some of the largest enterprise-wide systems in Australia as well as the comprehensive ICT infrastructure supporting them. We implement and support a range of Corporate IT, Clinical and Infrastructure Programs designed to deliver safer, more efficient, and better-quality healthcare. We also manage the central cyber security functions of NSW Health, in close collaboration with Cyber Security NSW.

Join the Team

Leading a large team of communications, public affairs and events professionals, you will drive strategic communication initiatives that support organisational priorities, strengthen employee engagement, elevate our brand and ensure effective communication across a large and complex healthcare environment. This is a senior leadership role that contributes to strategic business planning, decision-making, and communicating and reinforcing the vision and values of eHealth NSW. A key focus of this role is driving excellence in internal and external communications to achieve optimum business outcomes through the provision of expert corporate affairs support and communications advice to our Chief Executive and the Senior Executive Leadership Team.

In this role you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic communication plans that align with organisational priorities, culture initiatives and stakeholder needs.
• Shape the organisation's reputation through proactive media engagement, public affairs leadership and effective management of high-profile and sensitive communication issues.
• Partner with and influence our Chief Executive and senior executives to shape communication strategies, provide trusted advice on complex issues and ensure organisational priorities are effectively communicated.
• Drive brand awareness and engagement through innovative communication campaigns, strategic events and targeted stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary communications team, fostering a proactive, customer-focused and high-performing culture while delivering exceptional communication outcomes.

View the position description here

About You

We are looking for a strategic and forward-thinking communications leader who can confidently influence at all levels, turn complexity into clarity and strategy into action. Balancing visionary thinking with practical delivery, you'll craft compelling stories that engage stakeholders, drive understanding, and bring organisational priorities to life.

To be successful, you will have:

• Extensive strategic communications experience within a large, complex organisation, ideally including exposure to media relations, public affairs, brand management and executive communications.
• Demonstrated leadership capability managing and developing communications teams, building capability and fostering a high-performing culture.
• Exceptional media and issues management expertise, with experience managing high-profile, sensitive or reputational matters and providing trusted advice to senior leaders.
• Strong analytical and storytelling skills, with the ability to use data and insights to influence decision-making, shape narratives and elevate organisational reputation.
• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline.

Why work at eHealth NSW

At eHealth NSW, our benefits are designed to provide you with the flexibility, growth and support when you need it.

We provide:

• Learn More About Us
• Find out how we hire at eHealth NSW
• Check out our diversity and inclusion commitment

Important information

• This recruitment may be used to establish a Talent Pool for similar roles (ongoing or temporary) that may arise over the next 18 months.
• To be eligible for this role you must have current Australian work rights (Australian citizen, permanent resident, New Zealand citizen with a current passport, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia).
• If you currently reside outside NSW, please indicate in your application whether you are willing to relocate if successful.