Manager Communications

Careers at Council; Port Macquarie; Hybrid; AUD 124,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Discounted gym membership

Relocation support

Salary packaging options

Annual salary review

Job summary

Port Macquarie Hastings Council is seeking a Communications Manager to lead its corporate communications and drive a contemporary, customer-focused approach across the organisation.

You will provide strategic leadership across communications, media, reputation management, campaigns, digital channels, content and brand, working with Executive leaders to ensure clear, accessible and timely communications for the community.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing a communications team.
• Significant experience in strategic and corporate communications, media, PR and reputation management.
• Ability to provide clear, trusted advice to senior leaders on complex, sensitive matters.
• Experience managing communications during emerging issues, crises, or major change.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic communications, media and reputation advice to Council's Executive and senior leaders.
• Guide communications for major projects and organisational priorities.
• Lead Council's response to emerging issues and crisis communications.
• Oversee corporate channels, campaigns, content and brand.
• Move from reactive to proactive planning with coordinated campaigns.
• Use data and community insights to continually improve communication.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Stakeholder management

Media and reputation management

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Communications/PR/Journalism/Marketing or related discipline

Job description

Are you a strategic communications leader who thrives in complex environments and enjoys developing high-performing teams?

At Port Macquarie Hastings Council, communication is key to how our community connects with, understands, and trusts Council. We are seeking an experienced Communications Manager to lead our corporate communications function and drive a contemporary, customer-focused approach across the organisation.

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership across communications, media, reputation management, campaigns, digital channels, content, and brand. Working closely with Executive leaders and teams across Council, you will ensure communications are clear, consistent, accessible, and responsive to community needs.

You will also lead and develop a talented team, fostering a positive, accountable culture and creating an environment where people can perform at their best.

If you're a collaborative leader who can provide trusted advice, navigate complexity, and turn strategy into meaningful communication, we'd love to hear from you.

About You

You will be an experienced communications professional and
people leader who combines strategic thinking with a practical approach to
delivery.

You will bring:

• demonstrated experience
  leading and developing a communications team, including building
  capability, managing performance, and creating a positive and accountable
  team culture
• significant experience
  in strategic and corporate communications, media, public relations,
  reputation management and contemporary communication channels
• strong judgement and the
  ability to provide clear, trusted advice to senior leaders, particularly
  on complex, sensitive or high-profile matters
• demonstrated experience
  managing communications during emerging issues, crises, or periods of
  significant organisational or community change
• highly developed
  written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability
  to communicate complex issues clearly for different audiences
• strong stakeholder
  management skills and the confidence to navigate competing priorities,
  challenging conversations, and differing perspectives
• relevant tertiary
  qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing
  or a related discipline, and/or substantial relevant professional
  experience.

What You'll Be Doing

No two days will necessarily look the same. You may be:

• leading and developing a
  skilled communications team, setting clear priorities, and creating an
  environment where people can perform at their best
• providing strategic
  communications, media and reputation advice to Council's Executive and
  senior leaders
• guiding communications
  for major projects, organisational priorities, and significant community
  issues
• leading Council's
  response to emerging issues and crisis communications, often requiring
  sound judgement and timely decisions
• overseeing Council's
  corporate communication channels, campaigns, content, and brand
• working with teams
  across the organisation to move from reactive communications towards
  stronger forward planning and coordinated campaigns
• using data, community
  insights and evaluation to understand what is working and continually
  improve our communication

Why Join Us?

This is a genuine opportunity to influence how a large and
diverse organisation communicates with its community.

You will join us at an exciting time as we establish our new
Community and Customer Experience Group and continue to strengthen the way
Council listens, communicates, engages and connects with our community.

We are looking for someone who brings ideas, curiosity, and
sound judgement; who is comfortable challenging thinking respectfully; and who
wants to lead a team that delivers communication that is meaningful, useful,
and trusted.

Remuneration and Benefits

Employment Type: Full time, Permanent 35 hours per
week

Salary (exclusive of super): Starting in the range of $123,577 to $138,321 depending on skills and experience

Opportunity for performance-based salary progression

This role
also qualifies for a Leaseback or Vehicle allowance

• Flexible
  work arrangements - hybrid working and flexi-time
• Discounted gym membership through
  membership to Fitness Passport
• Candidates relocating to the region have access to TheWelcome Experience
• Opportunities for learning and development and internal career progression
• Annual salary increase as per the
  Local Government (State) Award 2026 plus annual salary review
• Long service leave after 5 years
• Generous employee assistance program
• Salary packaging options available
  through Salary Packaging Australia and Maxxia
• Recognition through our annual awards
  ceremony celebrating and rewarding staff achievements

About the Port Macquarie Hastings Region

The region is one of Australia's most enviable
locations. We boast a stunning hinterland, kilometres of pristine beaches,
national parks, playgrounds, sporting facilities, restaurants, galleries,
theatres and a genuine community vibe. The Mid-North Coast is perfect for
hiking, surfing, camping, fishing, exploration, sports, arts, theatre, food and
wine.

Questions?

If you would like to know more about this
opportunity or have any questions about the role, please contact Lucilla Marshall, Group Manager Communities and Customer Service on (02) 6581 8***.

Applications Close: Tuesday 29 September 2026 at 11:30pm

At Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the vibrant community we serve—where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to thrive.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace, please contact us at ****@pmhc.nsw.gov.au.We're here to support you every step of the way.

Notes

Suitable candidates may be placed on an eligibility list for future identical positions for 6 months or a talent pool for similar positions for a period of
12 months.

Preferred applicants are required to complete
pre-employment checks. This may include: Reference Checks; National Criminal
Police Check; Medical Assessment (includes drug and alcohol testing); Qualification verification; Working with
Children Check verification.

PMHC's recruitment notification process is
primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct
before submitting an application to avoid missing crucial updates and outcomes.
Email communication notifications are used for but not limited to: application
received, interview booking tools, confirmation of interview, request for references/more
information, delay notifications, testing/assessments
(aptitude/psychometric/industry specific) and application outcomes
(unsuccessful before or after interview).

Please regularly check your 'junk mail' or ensure
our email address ****@pmhc.nsw.gov.au and Pulse email ********@pulsesoftware.comis set to 'trustworthy'.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council adheres to the
principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and
protection of all children and young people.