Manager Communications and Engagement

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Lismore; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contemporary workspaces and technology

Learning and development opportunities

Employee assistance and wellbeing app

Workforce that values inclusion

Competitive pay and conditions

Fitness Passport

Job summary

The NSW Reconstruction Authority in Lismore, NSW, is seeking a Manager Communications & Engagement to lead strategic communications and stakeholder engagement across the Northern Rivers. This full-time, temporary role offers hybrid work from Lismore and reports to the Director Communications & Engagement.

You will develop and deliver communications strategies, advise senior leaders, oversee engaging materials, manage sensitive issues, and guide a team to achieve high-quality outcomes aligned

Qualifications

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proven leadership experience, including coaching and motivating high-performing teams.
• Experience managing communications in a complex, politically and media-sensitive environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build consensus and influence outcomes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience creating strategic messaging.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives across a diverse portfolio.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders and ensure communications support organisational priorities.
• Oversee the creation of engaging communications materials and manage sensitive issues.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and lead a team to deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Collaborate across the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Northern Rivers programs.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Verbal communication

Leadership

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications or public relations

Job description

Department/Agency: NSW Reconstruction Authority

Location: Lismore, NSW, AU, 2480

Full time, temporary role up to 31 December 2027.

Office location – Lismore with flexible/hybrid working environment.

Clerk Grade 11/12, Salary relative to experience ($154,231 – 178,369) + super

Be part of a team that helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters across New South Wales. As Manager Communications & Engagement, you will lead strategic communications and engagement initiatives that strengthen community connections, build stakeholder trust and promote the important work of the NSW Reconstruction Authority in the Northern Rivers.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director Communications & Engagement, you will lead the development and delivery of strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and community engagement initiatives across a diverse portfolio of programs. You will provide expert advice to senior leaders and ensure communications activities support organisational priorities and community outcomes.

Working in a complex and fast-paced environment, you will oversee the creation of engaging communications materials, manage sensitive issues, build strong stakeholder relationships and lead a team to deliver high-quality communications and engagement outcomes across the Authority in the Northern Rivers.

About You

You’ll bring significant communications and stakeholder engagement experience, along with a passion for building trusted relationships and delivering meaningful outcomes for communities. Ideally, you will have:

Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.

Proven leadership experience, including coaching, developing and motivating high-performing teams.

Demonstrated experience managing communications in a complex, politically and media-sensitive environment.

Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build consensus and influence outcomes across diverse groups.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing high-quality communications collateral and strategic messaging.

Proven leadership capability with experience managing, developing and motivating teams.

Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations or journalism or relevant/demonstrated equivalent experience

About the Agency

The NSW Reconstruction Authority is a statutory corporation and executive agency of the Premier’s Department, that will improve how NSW plans for disasters and ensure that we recover from them faster.

To reduce the severity and impacts of disasters, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will complete critical planning and preparation with communities, businesses and government. When disaster does strike, we will get recovery started swiftly and coordinate reconstruction efforts across agencies, communities and other stakeholders.

Joining our team with a rewarding job in a community-driven agency is just the start. Authority also offers:

• Contemporary workspaces and technology
• Access to learning and development opportunities
• Employee assistance and wellbeing program (with a cool app)
• Workforce that values inclusion
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Fitness Passport with a choice of 200+ gyms and pools across NSW

Applications close : 3:55pm , Wednesday 11 Novembe r 2026

Great people come from all walks of life . At NSW Reconstruction Authority we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote gender diversity in our workplaces, the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the employment of people with a disability, veterans and other diverse communities. We welcome and encourage applications from all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background or sexual orientation.

Additional Information

The recruitment process may include a range of assessments including interview, psychometric assessments, work sample activities and pre-employment checks as required.

Recruitment Pool

A recruitment pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that become available over the next 18 months