Manager Communication & Engagement

LO-GO Appointments; Gladstone Regional; On-site; AUD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Travel expenses covered

Competitive hourly rate + superann

Job summary

LO-GO Appointments QLD, a niche Local Government recruitment agency, seeks an experienced Manager Communications & Engagement for a temporary full-time assignment. You will lead strategic communications, community engagement and stakeholder relations across council, reporting to the CEO and partnering with the Mayor and senior leadership.

You will oversee media relations, internal messaging and digital engagement, while developing and guiding the Communications and Engagement team, monitoring

Qualifications

• Requires Senior-level experience in local government communications and engagement.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver strategic communications & engagement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of corporate communications, media relations and reputation management.
• Must have leadership and people-management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead Council's strategic communications and community engagement strategies.
• Provide communications and stakeholder engagement advice to CEO and senior leaders.
• Support Mayor and elected representatives with media, briefing materials and messaging.
• Oversee community consultation, stakeholder engagement and Community Reference Group activity.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic communications

Community engagement

Stakeholder relations

Media relations

Team development

Education

Tertiary qualifications in communications or related field

Job description

LO-GO Appointments QLD, a niche Local Government recruitment agency, is currently assisting a Central Queensland Regional Council in the search for an experienced Manager Communications & Engagement for a temporary full-time assignment. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Local Government communications professional with a strong background in strategic communications, community engagement and stakeholder relations.

The position offers a broad leadership remit and will suit someone who can provide strategic direction, build productive relationships and ensure Council communicates effectively with its communities, stakeholders and workforce.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead Council's Communications and Engagement function, providing strategic advice and overseeing corporate communications, media relations, community consultation, digital communications and internal engagement. You will also work closely with the Mayor, elected representatives and senior leadership to support consistent messaging, informed decision-making and positive community relationships.

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

• Temp assignment through to February 2027
• ASAP start
• Monday to Friday, full-time hours between 8am and 5pm
• Competitive Hourly rate + Superannuation on offer
• Self-contained accommodation & reasonable travel expenses at beginning and end of assignment will be covered

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role is responsible for:

• Leading Council's strategic communications and community engagement strategies
• Providing communications and stakeholder engagement advice to the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership team
• Supporting the Mayor and elected representatives with media, briefing materials and key messaging
• Overseeing community consultation, stakeholder engagement and Community Reference Group activities
• Managing corporate communications, media relations, public information campaigns and reputation management
• Overseeing corporate brand, website, social media and digital engagement activities
• Leading internal communications and executive messaging
• Leading, supporting and developing the Communications and Engagement team
• Monitoring engagement outcomes and driving continuous improvement

ABOUT YOU

Previous Local Government experience is mandatory, along with demonstrated leadership across communications, community engagement and stakeholder relations. To be successful in this assignment, you will demonstrate:

• Previous experience leading communications, community engagement and stakeholder relations functions
• Proven ability to develop and deliver strategic communications and engagement initiatives that achieve organisational and community outcomes
• Strong knowledge of corporate communications, media relations, reputation management and community engagement principles
• Highly developed communication, relationship-building and influencing skills, including the ability to work effectively with elected representatives, senior executives and diverse stakeholders
• Proven leadership and people management capability, with the ability to motivate and develop a team
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or significant experience in a similar leadership role
• A minimum Queensland C class provisional driver's licence
• Must hold unrestricted working rights in Australia

Experience in regional communities, crisis and emergency communications, digital engagement and reputation management will also be highly regarded.