Principal Consultant - Publications and Communication

Department of Education; Canning; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Superannuation 12%

Flexible working

Generous leave

Professional development

Salary packaging

Job summary

The Department of Education in WA seeks a fixed-term, full-time Principal Consultant, Publications and Communication, to support the Executive Director in leading strategic communication strategies and campaigns. The role requires coordinating cross-functional projects, delivering high-value communications, and guiding ministers and senior leaders with evidence-based advice.

The successful applicant will manage a team, ensure value for money, and drive improvements across the division.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate strategic communication strategies and campaigns across the directorate.
• Manage a team to work collaboratively across the directorate to deliver cross-functional projects.
• Provide robust and deliverable communication advice to ministers and senior leaders.

Job description

This is a fixed term, full-time position commencing December 2026 up until June 2028 with possible extension and/or permanency. The School Curriculum and Standards division provides administrative and secretariat services for, and implements the decisions of, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority). The Authority provides quality curriculum, assessment and standards to enable all Western Australian students to become confident, creative learners and active, informed citizens who contribute positively to society. In 2028, the Authority will introduce an additional Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) pathway, provisionally known as WACE Access, to support students with disability and those who are unable to meet current WACE requirements with appropriate adjustments. The position is being funded as part of the WACE Access project. Formal communication and stakeholder engagement is underway. Implementation will begin with Year 11 students with the first WACE Access to be awarded to eligible Year 12 students in 2029. The Role Principal Consultants, Publications and Communication support the Executive Director in leading and coordinating strategic communication strategies and campaigns, ensuring outcomes align to strategic direction and priorities. They will manage a team to work collaboratively across the directorate to deliver cross functional projects. The successful applicant will ensure communication strategies represent value for money and will identify and action opportunities for improvements. They will be expected to deliver communication strategies and campaigns, including design, development, analysis and evaluation. In this role they will undertake complex research and provide recommendations to support the development of innovative, evidence-based communication strategies. They will deploy and coordinate resources, ensuring delivery, integration and outcomes are consistent with priorities. This applicant will also provide robust and deliverable communication advice to ministers and senior leaders and will examine ministerial priorities to identify the role for communication and translate those priorities into measurable communication objectives. They will continuously review and provide quality assurance for communication and media campaigns. They will lead and facilitate stakeholder engagement, consultation and negotiation and develop innovative solutions and recommendations. Duties will include; preparing Cabinet submissions, Ministerial briefing notes, speech notes, reports and correspondence, as well as building and maintaining professional relationships with key senior internal and external stakeholders, including stakeholder groups. The applicant will be expected to represent the division at government, industry and stakeholder forums, working groups or committees. They will act as a mentor and guide staff to deliver communication priorities and initiatives. They will need to maintain high level understanding of emerging trends and issues and ensure effective sharing of information and skills, supporting collaboration, communication and connection across the team and directorate. They will also coordinate and deliver training on education brand and style guides across the Division.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in Cannington and our employees enjoy a range of benefits which include:

• 12% employer contributed superannuation.
• Flexible working arrangements are genuinely considered to create healthy work life balance, including working from home or remote, flexible working hours and part-time arrangements.
• Generous leave entitlements including annual, personal, long service and parental leave.
• Professional development opportunities and study leave/assistance.
• Access to salary packaging (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments).

Want to know more? Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF). For more information about this opportunity, please contact Jo Merrey, Manager – Publications and Communication on 0481 483 238 or by emailing [e-mail]

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our workplaces and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility To work with us, you must:

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.
• obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 2 November 2026