Senior Advisor City Communications

City of Melbourne; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 121,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remuneration benefits

Parental leave

Career progression

Hybrid working

Job summary

The City of Melbourne is seeking a Senior Advisor, City Communications to shape how complex and high-profile council priorities are conveyed to residents, businesses and other stakeholders. You will work with leaders and project teams across the organisation to provide strategic communications advice and ensure coordinated activity.

This role requires translating detailed information into clear messaging across channels, identifying audiences, managing risks, and delivering integrated plans.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Media, Communications, Marketing and/or Public Relations.
• Experience delivering integrated communications strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide strategic advice and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic, integrated communication plans for complex initiatives.
• Partner with leaders to understand priorities and audiences.
• Translate complex information into clear communications across channels.
• Anticipate risks and evaluate outcomes.
• Collaborate with media, internal comms and digital teams.

Skills

Strategic comms

Stakeholder management

Written comms

Public relations

Media relations

Education

Media/Communications/PR degree

Job description

Provide strategic communications advice across complex and high-profile Council priorities

Permanent, Full Time

$121,095 – $136,286 + 12% Super

About the role

The Senior Advisor, City Communications plays an important role in shaping how complex and high-profile Council priorities are communicated to our community, stakeholders and broader audiences.

Working closely with leaders and project teams across the organisation, you will bring a strong strategic lens to communications planning and provide trusted advice on the best way to communicate complex issues, initiatives and emerging priorities.

You will work across a diverse portfolio of Council projects and services, often involving detailed subject matter, multiple stakeholders and competing considerations. Your ability to understand the broader context, identify what matters most to different audiences and translate complex information into clear and effective communications will be key to success.

You will also work closely with colleagues across media, internal communications and digital to ensure communication activity is coordinated, audience-focused and aligned with City of Melbourne priorities.

A little more about the role

Develop strategic, integrated communication plans for complex Council initiatives, programs, services and emerging priorities.

Partner with leaders and project teams to understand priorities, identify key audiences and provide considered strategic communications advice.

Translate complex and detailed information into clear, relevant and accessible communications across a range of channels and audiences.

Anticipate communication risks and emerging issues, develop proactive solutions and evaluate communication outcomes to inform future approaches

Located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne is globally recognised as one of the most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities.

At the heart of it all is the City of Melbourne – a passionate, purpose-driven organisation where your work truly matters. As part of Team Melbourne, you will help deliver what is most important to the people who live, work, study, visit and invest in our great city.

We are proud champions of diversity, committed to continuous improvement, and driven by a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable future.

This is more than just a role – it is your chance to make a real impact, contribute to something bigger, and shape Melbourne’s future alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team.

About you

You are an experienced communications professional who brings a strategic and considered approach to your work. You are comfortable working with complex subject matter, asking the right questions and quickly building an understanding of the broader organisational and stakeholder context.

You can move between the detail and the bigger picture, identifying what is most important and turning complex information into clear, purposeful communications. You are also confident providing advice, constructively challenging where appropriate and building trusted relationships with stakeholders at different levels of an organisation.

What your experience might look like

A relevant tertiary qualification in Media, Communications, Marketing and/or Public Relations, together with demonstrated strategic communications experience.

Experience developing and delivering integrated communication strategies within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interpret complex information and tailor messaging for different audiences and channels.

Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice, build trusted stakeholder relationships and effectively manage competing priorities.

Strong judgement and issues awareness, with the ability to identify emerging risks, think broadly and develop practical communication approaches

Benefits of working with us

Attractive remuneration & benefits: Excellent pay package with a range of exciting benefits. Flexible working, study assistance & other great corporate discounts.

Excellent leave entitlements: Enjoy up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to the government-funded parental leave, with no waiting period to access. Part-time equivalents are also available for added flexibility.

Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment.

Work-life balance and hybrid working: We support flexible hours, alternative work arrangements (like ADOs), and hybrid work-from-home options.

Submit your application no later than 11:45pm on Sunday, 11 October 2026

Inclusion matters

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds.

We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you’re contacted for an interview.

We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and a Working with Children Check.