Manager Communications

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Flexi-time

Gym membership

Learning and development

Salary progression

Welcome experience for relocations

Salary packaging options available

Job summary

Port Macquarie Hastings Council is seeking a Communications Manager to lead the corporate communications function with a contemporary, customer‑focused approach.

You will provide strategic leadership across communications, media, reputation management, campaigns, digital channels, content and brand across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing a communications team, including performance management and accountability.
• Significant experience in strategic and corporate communications, media, PR, and reputation management.
• Ability to provide clear, trusted advice to senior leaders on complex issues.
• Proven experience managing communications during crises or significant change.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to navigate competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic communications, media and reputation advice to Council's Executive and senior leaders.
• Guide communications for major projects, priorities and community issues.
• Lead and develop a high-performing communications team to deliver the function.
• Oversee council's corporate communications channels, campaigns, content and brand.
• Collaborate across the organisation to improve forward planning and coordinated campaigns.
• Use data and community insights to continually improve communications.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic communications

Media relations

Reputation management

Crisis communications

Stakeholder management

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, 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 experiencedCommunications 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 andpeople leader who combines strategic thinking with a practical approach todelivery.

You will bring:

• demonstrated experienceleading and developing a communications team, including buildingcapability, managing performance, and creating a positive and accountableteam culture
• significant experiencein strategic and corporate communications, media, public relations,reputation management and contemporary communication channels
• strong judgement and theability to provide clear, trusted advice to senior leaders, particularlyon complex, sensitive or high-profile matters
• demonstrated experiencemanaging communications during emerging issues, crises, or periods ofsignificant organisational or community change
• highly developedwritten, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the abilityto communicate complex issues clearly for different audiences
• strong stakeholdermanagement skills and the confidence to navigate competing priorities,challenging conversations, and differing perspectives
• relevant tertiaryqualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketingor a related discipline, and/or substantial relevant professionalexperience.

What You'll Be Doing

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

• leading and developing askilled communications team, setting clear priorities, and creating anenvironment where people can perform at their best
• providing strategiccommunications, media and reputation advice to Council's Executive andsenior leaders
• guiding communicationsfor major projects, organisational priorities, and significant communityissues
• leading Council'sresponse to emerging issues and crisis communications, often requiringsound judgement and timely decisions
• overseeing Council'scorporate communication channels, campaigns, content, and brand
• working with teamsacross the organisation to move from reactive communications towardsstronger forward planning and coordinated campaigns
• using data, communityinsights and evaluation to understand what is working and continuallyimprove our communication

Why Join Us?

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

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

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

Remuneration and Benefits

Employment Type: Full time, Permanent 35 hours perweek

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 rolealso qualifies for a Leaseback or Vehicle allowance

• Flexiblework arrangements - hybrid working and flexi-time
• Discounted gym membership throughmembership 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 theLocal Government (State) Award 2026 plus annual salary review
• Long service leave after 5 years
• Generous employee assistance program
• Salary packaging options availablethrough Salary Packaging Australia and Maxxia
• Recognition through our annual awardsceremony celebrating and rewarding staff achievements

About the Port Macquarie Hastings Region

The region is one of Australia's most enviablelocations. 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 forhiking, surfing, camping, fishing, exploration, sports, arts, theatre, food andwine.

Questions?

If you would like to know more about thisopportunity 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 of12 months.

Preferred applicants are required to completepre-employment checks. This may include: Reference Checks; National CriminalPolice Check; Medical Assessment (includes drug and alcohol testing); Qualification verification; Working withChildren Check verification.

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

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

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