Manager, Strategic Communications

Manufacturing Skills Queensland; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) is seeking a seasoned Manager, Strategic Communications to lead its narrative, media relations, and brand across Queensland. Based in Spring Hill, Brisbane, the role drives government submissions, advocacy campaigns, and multi-channel communications for advancing Queensland's manufacturing sector, with flexible work arrangements.

You will mentor the team, translate industry insights into compelling content, and partner with government and industry to shape

Qualifications

• Senior corporate communications experience with media management.
• Proven success in brand reputation and multichannel campaigns.
• Strong written communication, including government submissions.
• Expertise in digital media management and risk mitigation.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement across media, government and industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead MSQ’s narrative, reputation, and brand strategy.
• Proactively manage media relations and strategic opportunities.
• Design and execute internal and external communications plans.
• Maintain brand consistency across channels.
• Lead communications risk management and social media oversight.
• Develop advocacy campaigns supporting MSQ objectives.
• Draft government submissions and policy responses.
• Provide rapid messaging guidance for policy issues.
• Oversee communications for industry engagement events.

Skills

Senior corporate communications

Public relations

Media management

Advocacy

Brand reputation

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic messaging

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Corporate Affairs, or a relevant discipline

Job description

Manufacturing Skills Queensland – Spring Hill QLD

Our Manager, Strategic Communications is responsible for managing strategic communications, media relations, brand reputation, and advocacy initiatives to elevate the profile and support the growth of Queensland’s manufacturing sector.

Our Manager, Strategic Communications is responsible for managing strategic communications, media relations, brand reputation, and advocacy initiatives to elevate the profile and support the growth of Queensland’s manufacturing sector.

What you will do

As a member of the MSQ Leadership Team, the key duties and responsibilities of this role include:

• Lead the development, implementation, and integrity of MSQ’s narrative, reputation, and brand, ensuring all activities align with organisational strategic objectives.

• Proactively manage media relations and deliver strategic media opportunities to raise the profile of manufacturing careers, industry opportunities, and MSQ across Queensland.

• Design and execute comprehensive internal and external communication strategies and plans to support the rollout of MSQ policies, programs, in line with our Annual Training Plan (ATP).

• Manage brand consistency and communication protocols across all channels, mediums, and external touchpoints.

• Lead engagement and communications risk management efforts, including digital and social media oversight, branding guidelines, and issues management solutions to protect corporate reputation.

• Develop and execute structured advocacy campaigns to support MSQ’s strategic objectives and policy priorities.

• Draft and prepare high-level government submissions, responses to public inquiries, reviews, and policy feedback.

• Provide rapid-response capacity and strategic messaging advice for emergent policy, industry, and public affairs issues.

• Oversee communications, marketing, and promotional collateral for high-impact industry engagement activities, including workshops, roundtables, and regional events.

• Lead, mentor, and supervise team members, including the Senior Communications and Engagement Officer, to ensure the successful delivery of communications priorities.

• Collaborate across MSQ to translate workforce data and sector insights into compelling public-facing content, reports, and storytelling.

Who we are looking for

Our ideal candidate brings:

• Proven depth of experience in senior corporate communications, public relations, media management, or strategic advocacy roles.

• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining brand reputation, managing multichannel communications, and executing strategic marketing campaigns.

• Exceptional written communication skills, with a track record of authoring media releases, speechwriting, strategic communication plans, and formal government submissions.

• Strong expertise in digital media management, issues management, and media risk mitigation.

• Advanced stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build strong networks across media, government agencies, and industry partners.

• Ability to translate complex industry insights, workforce data, and government policy into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.

• High-level self-management, agility, and decisive problem-solving skills, with a proven capacity for rapid response under tight timeframes.

• Knowledge of or experience within the manufacturing sector, vocational education and training (VET), skills, or public policy environment.

• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Corporate Affairs, or a relevant discipline.

• Current driver’s licence and the willingness to travel to our Maryborough Centre of Excellence and across Queensland as required.

What we do

Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) is an independent, not-for-profit industry body established by the Queensland Government. Our primary mandate is to strengthen and grow Queensland's manufacturing sector, creating secure local jobs, and preparing Queenslanders for work in the sector. We identify the key skills required in the manufacturing industry and work in partnership with industry stakeholders, workers, unions, and businesses to deliver quality training programs and key skills required for successful careers in the sector.

Come work with us

This is a full-time, fixed-term 12-month contract based out of our Spring Hill, Brisbane office with flexible work arrangements; plus the option to be based at our Centre of Excellence in Maryborough.