Principal, Media & Communications

OnTalent; Toowoomba Regional; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Toowoomba Regional Council is seeking a senior Principal, Media & Communications to lead strategic media work, protect reputation and keep the community informed. You will advise the Mayor, Councillors and senior leaders on sensitive issues and manage complex communications in a fast‑moving environment.

You will develop integrated strategies, lead crisis responses and deliver audience‑focused messages across channels, while building team capability and strong stakeholder relationships.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in media relations and integrated communications within complex, high‑profile environments.
• Strong strategic communications, issues and reputation management capability.
• Exceptional writing and editing across media materials, speeches and multi‑channel content.
• Demonstrated political awareness, sound judgment and composure under pressure.
• Experience providing trusted communications advice to senior executives and/or elected representatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capability without formal authority.
• Balance of strategic thinking with practical, hands‑on delivery.
• Relevant degree in communications, public relations, journalism or related discipline; substantial equivalent experience.
• Current C Class Driver’s Licence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver integrated media and communication strategies aligned with Council priorities.
• Provide high‑level strategic media, communications, issues and reputation guidance to the Mayor, Councillors and senior leaders.
• Identify emerging issues and proactively manage reputational risks and opportunities.
• Lead crisis and issues communications.
• Deliver audience‑focused communications across channels with strong storytelling.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with internal and external partners and media outlets.
• Provide leadership and guidance across the Media and Communications team.
• Monitor media sentiment and community feedback to inform future messages.
• Collaborate across Council for coordinated, strategic communications.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Writing & editing

Political awareness

Executive advisory

Stakeholder management

Strategic delivery

Degree in comms

Driver's licence

Education

Degree in communications

Job description

Shape the Story. Protect Reputation. Keep a Region Connected.

Toowoomba Regional Council plays an important role in the lives of more than 178,000 people across one of Queensland’s most diverse and fast-growing regional communities. With approximately 1,600 employees and major growth occurring across infrastructure, education, health, transport and industry, how Council communicates with its community has never been more important.

As Principal, Media & Communications, you will be at the centre of that conversation.

This is a senior, hands-on communications role for someone who thrives in a complex, high-profile environment. You will help shape Council’s media and communications approach, provide trusted advice on sensitive and emerging issues, and ensure the organisation communicates clearly, confidently and consistently with its community.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Program Lead, Corporate Communications, you will lead the planning and delivery of strategic media and communications that support Council priorities, protect and enhance its reputation and keep the community and stakeholders informed.

You will provide high-level advice and practical communications support across Council, including to the Mayor, Councillors, Chief Executive Officer and senior leaders.

You will be responsible for:

• Developing and delivering integrated media and communication strategies supporting Council priorities, projects, services and advocacy.
• Providing strategic media, communications, issues and reputation management advice on complex, sensitive and emerging matters.
• Identifying emerging community, media and political issues and proactively managing reputational risks and opportunities.
• Leading and coordinating crisis and issues communication.
• Delivering audience-focused communication across appropriate channels, ensuring key messages effectively tell Council’s story and strengthen its reputation.
• Leading stakeholder and relationship management across key internal and external stakeholders, journalists, media outlets and communication partners.
• Providing professional leadership and guidance across the Media and Communications team and helping build team capability.
• Monitoring media, community sentiment and emerging issues to provide insights that strengthen future communications.
• Working collaboratively across Council to deliver strategic, coordinated and audience-focused communication.

What Success Looks Like

You will bring sound judgement, political awareness and a strong understanding of how effective media and communications can build community trust and protect organisational reputation.

You will ensure Council is well positioned to respond to complex, sensitive and emerging issues, while also proactively identifying opportunities to tell the stories that matter to the Toowoomba region.

Success will be reflected in high-quality, timely and coordinated communications; trusted relationships with senior leaders, elected members, media and stakeholders; and a Media and Communications function that is proactive, credible and responsive.

Why We Love This Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take on a genuinely influential communications role within one of Queensland’s largest regional councils. You will have the opportunity to:

• Work closely with senior executives and elected members on high-profile and strategically important matters.
• Shape media and communications across a diverse organisation serving a significant regional community.
• Lead communications through complex, sensitive and emerging issues where sound judgement really matters.
• Build trusted relationships with media and stakeholders and influence how Council engages with its community.
• Combine strategic thinking with hands-on communications delivery in a role where no two days will be the same.

About You

You are an experienced media and communications professional who understands what it takes to operate in a complex, high-profile or politically sensitive environment.

You are equally comfortable providing strategic advice to senior leaders as you are developing a media response, refining key messages or navigating an emerging issue. You bring strong judgement, excellent writing capability and the confidence to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and media.

You bring:

• Extensive experience in media relations and integrated communications within a complex, high-profile or political environment.
• Strong strategic communications, issues and reputation management capability.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills across media materials, speeches, briefings, key messages and multi-channel content.
• Demonstrated political awareness, sound judgement and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Experience providing trusted communications advice to senior executives and/or elected representatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capability, including the ability to achieve outcomes without relying on formal authority.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical, hands-on delivery.
• A relevant degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related discipline, or substantial equivalent professional experience.
• A current C Class Driver’s Licence.

Location and Flexibility

This permanent, full-time role is based in Toowoomba.

Given the highly relational and responsive nature of the position, the role requires strong connection with leaders, teams, stakeholders and the media, including participation in after-hours media and communications arrangements when urgent, emerging, crisis or high-profile matters arise.

Remuneration

This Level 7 position offers a salary of $116,916.83 – $123,940.70 per annum.