Senior Communications Officer (528144)

Department of Health, Tasmania; Hobart; On-site; AUD 132,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Leave entitlements

Fitness Passport

Job summary

Department of Health, Tasmania seeks an experienced Senior Communications Officer to shape health stories and guide strategic communications across Tasmania. You will develop high‑quality campaigns, content and briefing materials, working with senior leaders and external partners to ensure clear messages and alignment with priorities.

Permanent, full‑time, day worker (with on-call) in Hobart/Tasmania, delivering across digital, social, web and publications.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience developing communication strategies and delivering integrated communication activities, preferably in a health setting.
• Experience working with external agencies, designers and suppliers to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and developing engaging digital content for a wide range of channels and audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and engagement skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgement, initiative and a solutions-focused approach.
• Experience working within government, healthcare or other complex organisations will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic communication advice to senior executives and business units.
• Develop and implement communication plans, campaigns and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Create compelling content across a range of channels, including digital, social media, web, video, publications and internal communications.
• Support media and issues management activities, including the preparation of key messages, briefing materials and responses.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen community understanding and engagement with health services and programs.
• Work collaboratively across teams to deliver communication outcomes that align with organisational objectives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and innovation within the communications function.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public relations

Journalism

Marketing

Stakeholder engagement

Digital content

Team collaboration

Tools

External agencies

Designers

Job description

The Team

The Strategic Communications and Media team (Comms) is responsible for managing the Department’s corporate image, media relations, public profile and internal and external communication channels (including social media).

The role of Comms is to ensure the voices of the Department and the Secretary are heard, that projects and initiatives are visible, and that Departmental communications are effective.

This includes providing overarching strategic guidance and advice, managing all media, public relations, and social media activities, and ensuring consistency and alignment with the Department’s strategic aims, goals, and priorities.

The Role

Help shape the stories that improve the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians.

The Department of Health is seeking an experienced and strategic communications professional to join our team as a Senior Communications Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that supports public health, healthcare services and major health initiatives across Tasmania.

As a Senior Communications Officer, you will develop and deliver high-quality communication strategies, campaigns and content that engage diverse audiences and support organisational priorities. You will work closely with senior leaders, subject matter experts and stakeholders across the health system to ensure clear, accurate and effective communication.

As a Senior Communications Officer, you will:

• Provide strategic communication advice to senior executives and business units.
• Develop and implement communication plans, campaigns and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Create compelling content across a range of channels, including digital, social media, web, video, publications and internal communications.
• Support media and issues management activities, including the preparation of key messages, briefing materials and responses.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen community understanding and engagement with health services and programs.
• Work collaboratively across teams to deliver communication outcomes that align with organisational objectives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and innovation within the communications function.

You will need

We are looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with exceptional organisational, writing and relationship-building skills.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience developing communication strategies and delivering integrated communication activities, preferably in a health setting.
• Experience working with external agencies, designers and suppliers to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and developing engaging digital content for a wide range of channels and audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and engagement skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgement, initiative and a solutions-focused approach.
• Experience working within government, healthcare or other complex organisations will be highly regarded.

Note: Please refer to the Statement of Duties for all the selection criteria of this position to address in your application.

Details of appointment

Permanent, full time, day worker (with on-call) position, working 76 hours per fortnight, commencing as soon as possible.

• Notwithstanding hours to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Applicants should note that, for a period of twelve months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill subsequent or similar full time, part time, and casual vacancies.

Salary

$132,460 to $139,392 per annum + our Employer 12% superannuation contribution is on top of this amount.

• Salary range is in accordance with Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement 2025

Benefits available to eligible candidates

• Professional development and accelerated pathways.
• A range of leave entitlements, including study leave and Professional Development Support.
• Fitness Passport - You, and your family can access 40+ fitness facilities across Tasmania for just $14.50 per week per person, or $28.05 for a family.

More information about our Employee Benefits can be found here

Eligibility

• While office based, some intra and interstate travel may be required.

Note: - Please refer to the Application Guide for more information of pre-employment check.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

We encourage you to review the Statement of Duties, Applicant Guide, prior to applying for an overview of the duties, program, selection process and application guidance.

Statement of Duties:

• Senior Communications Officer.docx

Application Guide:

• Applicant Guide.docx

For more information

Applicants who require further information are encouraged to contact the Contact person for detailed information about the vacancy.

Name: Darren Nugent

Position: Manager - Strategic Communications

Phone number: 0477 176 958

Email address: [e-mail]

What it is like working at the Department of Health?

Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence are the key values to work in Department of Health. Listen to some of the lived experiences from within the department through some of our wonderful staff and hear about their journey in relocating to Tasmania!

Move to Tasmania | Tasmanian

One Health Podcast - Spotify

One Health Podcast - Apple

Tasmanian Health Careers | Tasmanian

Department of Health has achieved the "Carer Accredited Employer Status" providing support to employees with caring responsibilities. (Find out more under the Carer Recognition Act 2023).

Respecting diversity is the foundation of everything that Department of Health do. This allows us to instil trust and collaborate through honest and fair communication and helps cultivate an environment of growth and innovation. We strongly encourage applicants from key communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living with disabilities.