Senior Communications Manager - External

Australian Payments Plus; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Well-being initiatives

Diverse colleagues

Flexible work-life

Job summary

Australian Payments Plus is seeking a Senior Communications Manager - External to shape the company’s external voice and strengthen its reputation in the payments sector. You will lead thought leadership, media relations, and executive communications while advising senior leaders on emerging issues and crisis responses.

You will collaborate with government and regulatory affairs teams, translate complex updates into accessible narratives, and drive high-impact external content including podcasts

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Significant external communications experience in a complex organisation.
• Proven ability to develop thought leadership and advise senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead external thought leadership and media relations, identifying stories and opportunities.
• Develop external communications materials: media strategies, key messages, Q&As and briefing notes.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists across major outlets.
• Manage external agencies and partnerships to support communications goals.
• Translate complex business and industry developments into compelling external narratives.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Executive communication

Content creation

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related

Tools

MS Office

Media monitoring tools

Job description

Senior Communications Manager - External

We are one connected team in pursuit of one inspiring purpose - to unite people and technology to power better experiences. Each of us has a part to play in making that happen. You'll be encouraged to bring your ideas forward and make a difference through your work, while still having room for fun, friendships and flexibility in your daily life.

We're driven by our core values: lead with heart, learn for tomorrow and live our legacy. A purpose like ours takes the inspired impact of an incredible team. Ready to change the game? We're ready to help you do it.

The Purpose:

As our Senior Communications Manager – External, you’ll play a critical role in shaping AP+’s external voice, building our reputation and strengthening our position across the payments industry and broader business community.

You’ll lead our external thought leadership and media relations agenda – identifying the stories, issues and conversations AP+ should be part of and creating opportunities to showcase our expertise through media, events, speaking opportunities, our podcast and other original content.

You’ll also be a trusted adviser and support the Head of Communications on emerging issues and crisis communications, working closely with senior leaders to navigate complex and fast-moving matters and helping ensure AP+ communicates clearly and confidently with media and other external stakeholders.

At the heart of the role is the ability to connect communications to our business strategy – understanding what AP+ is trying to achieve and turning our priorities, expertise and ideas into compelling external narratives that build trust and support our broader objectives.

Key Responsibilities the Role Owns:

• Lead AP+’s external thought leadership agenda, identifying the issues, trends and conversations where AP+ can credibly contribute and build its profile.
• Lead proactive and reactive media relations, developing a strong pipeline of stories and opportunities and managing media enquiries and responses.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists across major Australian mastheads, business and financial media, broadcast and relevant industry publications.
• Develop high-quality external communications and Executive materials, including media strategies, key messages, Q&As, briefing documents, talking points, articles and commentary.
• Develop creative content that brings AP+’s strategy and expertise to life, including leading AP+’s thought leadership podcast and helping shape the content agenda for the Beyond Tomorrow Summit.
• Identify emerging media and reputational issues, provide strategic communications advice and support AP+’s issues and crisis communications preparedness and response.
• Work closely with the Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs to develop communications and briefing materials that support engagement with government, regulators and industry stakeholders.
• Partner with teams across AP+ to translate complex business, product and industry developments into compelling external stories and narratives.
• Manage external agencies and partners and contribute as a senior member of the Communications team to broader communications priorities, major announcements and issues.

The capabilities needed to be successful for this role are:

• Qualifications & Experience: A tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience. Significant experience leading external, corporate or stakeholder communications in a complex organisation.
• Strategic Communications: A track record of building communications plans and narratives that connect organisational priorities with audience needs, including experience developing thought leadership and advising senior leaders.
• Media & Issues Management: Strong media relations skills and sound judgement in responding to sensitive or fast-moving issues. Experience supporting issues or crisis communications and preparing leaders to engage with media is highly valued.
• Content & Channel Leadership: Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to develop high-quality content across formats and channels. Experience leading editorial programs, podcasts or major external events is an advantage.
• Stakeholder Partnership: The confidence to build trusted relationships with internal experts, executives, media and external stakeholders, and to coordinate input and approvals across a range of teams. Experience in payments, financial services, infrastructure or another regulated environment is advantageous.

What happens next:

If you’re an experienced external communications leader who can shape a clear public voice for AP+ and help us engage confidently with the payments ecosystem, we’d like to hear from you.

We want to remove all barriers to inclusion, so if you need advice or support with your application, we’re here to help. Please reach out to We also encourage you to let us know your pronouns at any point during the recruitment process.

AP+ are not partnering with Recruitment agencies for this role.

• Shape the future of insurance with innovative ideas and technologies that improve the lives of millions of Australians
• Take advantage of well-being initiatives designed to support your mental and physical health, ensuring a balanced lifestyle
• Work alongside diverse, passionate colleagues and leaders who inspire, support, and value your contributions.