Manager, Internal Communications

NSW Government; Sydney; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Customer Service (NSW) seeks a Manager, Internal Communications to lead a team of communications professionals and provide strategic advice to senior executives, including the Secretary and Chief People Officer. You will drive enterprise-wide employee communications and engagement aligned with NSW priorities.

You’ll partner with senior leaders to shape approaches for complex priorities, ensure timely, clear messages, and build staff engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide strategic communications advice to senior executives
• Experience leading internal communications or organisational communications programs
• Strong leadership and people-management capabilities
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influence and negotiation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of enterprise-wide employee communications and engagement initiatives
• Provide trusted advice to senior leaders and executives
• Manage and develop a high-performing team of communications professionals
• Develop reporting dashboards and evaluation frameworks to measure effectiveness
• Identify risks, issues and opportunities and provide proactive communications recommendations

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Executive advisory

Strong writing

Job description

Manager, Internal Communications Grade: Clerk 11/12 - $154,231 – $178,369 + superannuation and leave loading Location: McKell, Sydney Term: Temp 6 months with possibility of extension Applications Close: 10:00am Thursday 12th November 2026

The Department of Customer Service (DCS) is committed to high quality customer service delivery, effective and efficient regulation, and innovative digital enablement of government. Within Brand, Digital and Communications, the Internal Communications team plays a critical role in connecting employees with organisational priorities, strategic change and people initiatives. We are seeking an experienced Manager, Internal Communications to lead a team of communications professionals and provide strategic communications advice to senior executives, including the Secretary, Chief People Officer and senior executive teams. The role is pivotal in delivering employee engagement and communications strategies to strengthen culture, build understanding and support organisational performance.

About the Role

As Manager, Internal Communications, you will lead the development and delivery of enterprise-wide employee communications and engagement initiatives to support DCS's strategic objectives. Working closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across the department, you will provide trusted advice, shape communication approaches for complex organisational priorities and ensure staff receive clear, timely and meaningful information. You will also lead a team of communications specialists, champion best practice internal communications and use data, insights and emerging trends to continuously improve communication effectiveness and employee engagement outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary, People & Corporate Services to deliver key communications objectives.
• Lead the strategic development and delivery of internal communications and employee engagement initiatives.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team of communications professionals.
• Develop reporting, dashboards and evaluation frameworks to measure communication effectiveness and inform decision-making.
• Identify emerging risks, issues and opportunities and provide proactive communications advice and recommendations.
• Collaborate across Brand, Digital and Communications to deliver seamless and consistent communication outcomes.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement through contemporary communications practices, employee engagement approaches and technology solutions.

About You

You're a confident and influential communications leader who enjoys working at both strategic and operational levels. You know how to build trusted relationships with executives, navigate competing priorities and deliver communications that resonate with diverse audiences. You combine strong judgement with excellent writing skills and can translate complex information into clear, engaging messages. To be successful in this role, you'll be someone who:

• Has extensive experience providing communications advice to senior executives and leadership teams.
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills and experience managing people and developing capability.
• Excels at stakeholder engagement, influence and negotiation.
• Can manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Uses insights, data and measurement to strengthen communication outcomes.
• Think strategically while delivering high-quality work and results.
• Builds strong collaborative relationships across diverse teams and stakeholder groups.

Essential Requirements

• Demonstrated experience providing strategic communications advice and services to senior executive stakeholders.
• Strong experience leading internal communications, employee engagement or organisational communications programs.
• Proven ability to manage stakeholders, influence outcomes and deliver high-quality communication solutions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

For enquiries relating to the position, please contact the hiring manager, Shannon Mackay - Director Media & Stakeholder Comms via [e-mail]. For enquiries relating to recruitment please contact Jess Tan via [e-mail].

A talent pool may be created as part of this recruitment process and will be valid for up to 18 months. The talent pool may be used to fill future ongoing or temporary vacancies of the same or similar role.

Careers at Department of Customer Service

A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

Belong in our diverse and inclusive workplace

The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different backgrounds and perspectives. You can view our full diversity and inclusion statement here. We provide adjustments to the recruitment process for candidates, including individuals with disability. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, including alternate formats or have questions about the support available, please contact Talent Operations on 02 8276 8130 or [e-mail]. For more information, please visit Information on some of the different types of disabilities Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process.