Senior Communications Officer

Australian Taxation Office; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Taxation Office is seeking a Senior Communications Officer within ATO Corporate to lead complex, sensitive or high-risk communication strategies and advise senior stakeholders.

You will identify needs, assess evidence and risks, translate complex information into clear messaging, and deliver products that protect the ATO’s reputation while supporting informed decision‑making.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in communications, marketing, events, media, public relations, social media or a related field highly regarded but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, sensitive or high-risk communication strategies and advise senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate activity across multiple teams or business areas.
• Manage complex stakeholder relationships and dependencies.
• Provide guidance and quality assurance for junior colleagues.
• Deliver communication products that manage operational and reputational risk.
• Monitor performance and evaluate communication outcomes.
• Deliver high‑quality outcomes within tight timeframes.
• Build influential relationships with senior stakeholders and partners.
• Anticipate issues and ensure compliance with accessibility, publishing, branding and privacy requirements.

Skills

Strategic communication

Media relations

Digital communication

Content publishing

Social media

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Performance evaluation

Leadership

Education

Communications/Marketing degree preferred

Job description

Lead communication work, shape decisions, manage risk and delivers meaningful outcomes for the ATO and the community.

As a Senior Communications Officer in ATO Corporate, you will lead complex, sensitive or high-risk communication strategies and provide strategic advice to senior stakeholders.

Depending on the vacancy, you may work across one or more communication disciplines, including strategic communication, media, public relations, digital communication, content publishing, social media, advertising, events and multimedia production.

You will identify communication needs, assess evidence, risks and channels options to recommend approaches that align audience needs with organisational objectives.

You will lead the development of communication strategies and approaches for complex, sensitive, high-profile or ambiguous issues. You’ll translate complex information into clear, persuasive and audience-focused strategies, messaging and products that support informed decision‑making and protect the ATO’s reputation.

You will lead complex communication work and projects. This may include:

• establishing communication strategies, including objectives, priorities and delivery approaches
• coordinating activity across multiple teams or business areas
• managing complex stakeholder relationships and dependencies
• providing professional guidance and quality assurance for junior colleagues
• delivering communication products that effectively manage operational and reputational risk.
• monitoring performance and evaluating communication outcomes
• effectively managing competing priorities and deliver high‑quality outcomes within tight timeframes.

You will build influential relationships with senior stakeholders and business partners. You will constructively challenge assumptions, negotiate communication approaches and resolve issues where stakeholders have competing priorities or different perspectives.

You will anticipate issues and exercise sound professional judgement in managing complex communication matters. You will ensure communication activities comply with relevant accessibility, digital publishing, branding, privacy, information‑handling and government communication requirements.

You will use research, audience insights and performance information to evaluate communication effectiveness, advise senior stakeholders and shape improvements to communication strategies, channels and organisational practice.

You will also coach and mentor others, provide professional guidance and contribute to capability development across the communication function.

We embrace the strength of diversity – through our people and the perspectives they bring.

We are committed to inclusive recruitment practices and encourage applications from people with disability or neurodivergence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and individuals from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments can be provided throughout the selection process.

• leads the planning, delivery and evaluation of complex, sensitive or high-risk communication strategies
• identifies communication needs and develops effective communication strategies, messaging and solutions that support objectives
• translates complex information into clear, persuasive and audience focused communication
• uses communication expertise to provide strategic and authoritative advice on communication priorities, options, risks and approaches
• builds influential stakeholder relationships, constructively challenges assumptions and negotiates effective outcomes across competing priorities
• anticipates and manages risks and issues to deliver effective communication outcomes
• provides leadership, coaching and quality assurance for junior staff and uses insights and evaluation findings to improve outcomes and build communication capability.

Qualifications in communications, marketing, events, media, public relations, social media or a related field will be highly regarded but are not essential.

Getting to know the Australian Taxation Office

We are globally recognised for leading best practice in the administration of tax and superannuation, promoting a level playing field and fairness for all. Our work makes a real difference to the lives of Australians and positively impacts their economic and social wellbeing. Our people are problem-solvers, curious, dynamic and are at the heart of our success. We are inclusive and embrace the strength of diversity. Flexible working arrangements are available to help balance work and life. We offer more than you expect. We offer a place where you can belong, a say in how you make a difference, and the chance to grow a successful career.