Senior Manager External Communications

Colonial First State; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday day off

Employer super

Life Leave

Sonder app for wellbeing

Health insurance

Coaching and counselling services

Job summary

Colonial First State (CFS) is seeking an experienced media relations professional to shape and protect the organisation’s reputation through clear, strategic external communications. You will build strong media relationships, craft proactive narratives, and collaborate across teams to deliver high‑impact campaigns.

In this role you’ll analyse industry trends, produce compelling content, and provide strategic advice to senior leaders to support CFS’s commitment to helping Australians achieve

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in media relations or journalism.
• A proven ability to place financial stories in mainstream media with an established network of media contacts.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage strong media relationships, confidently pitching stories to personal finance and broadcast journalists to secure high‑impact media coverage.
• Lead integrated communications campaigns end‑to‑end, collaborating across teams to deliver measurable results.
• Analyse data and industry trends to shape compelling narratives and identify proactive media opportunities.
• Produce high‑quality content, including media materials, research reports, commentary, and social amplification assets.
• Engage effectively with senior stakeholders, providing strategic communication advice and influencing outcomes.

Skills

Media relations

Journalism

Stakeholder management

Influencing skills

Story pitching

Job description

Are you ready to be part of an organisation that values expertise, passion and diversity? At CFS we know that the foundation of our success lies in our exceptional people. We believe in celebrating individuality, have a passion for high performance and creating an environment where you can unleash your full potential. Our people enable us to make a difference and deliver exceptional experiences to help our customers achieve financial freedom.

Your Team
The External Communications team shapes and protects CFS’s reputation by delivering clear,consistentand strategic communication to media, members, industry stakeholders, and the wider public. The team develops and executes external communications strategies, narratives and campaigns that support CFS’s brand,purposeand businessobjectives.

This includes managing media relations, preparing spokespersons, leading proactive and reactive media and other communications projects, leading major announcements, monitoring public sentiment, and ensuring CFS’s external voice is strong, credible and aligned with its commitment to helping Australians achieve financial freedom.

Your Responsibilities

• Build and manage strong media relationships, confidently pitching stories topersonal finance, and broadcastjournaliststosecurehigh‑impactmediacoverage.
• Lead integrated communications campaigns end‑to‑end, collaborating across teams to deliver measurable results.
• Analyse data and industry trends to shape compelling narratives andidentifyproactive media opportunities.
• Produce high‑quality content, including media materials, research reports, commentary, and social amplification assets.
• Engage effectively with senior stakeholders,providingstrategic communication advice and influencing outcomes.

Your Capability and Experience

• Demonstrableexperience in media relationsor journalism.
• A proven ability to place financial stories in mainstream media,throughan established networkof media contactsacross consumer finance and broadcast outlets.
• A collaborative mindset, with strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Drive, resilience, and the ability to adapt quicklyand respond to opportunitiesin a fast‑paced environment.
• Confidence engaging senior leaders and navigating complex subject matter.

What to Expect

At CFS, you'll be working among the very best in the wealth management industry. It's an inspiring environment that encourages development and celebrates success. Other things to look forward to:

• Additional day for your birthday
• Access to CFS Employer Super
• Life Leave - 3 days per annum
• Access to Sonder who provides human-powered medical, mental health and safety support through one easy-to-use app enabling you to get support whenever and wherever you need.
• Access to Corporate rates with BUPA Health Insurance
• Confidential coaching and counselling services supporting life, mind, body, relationships, work and family to assist you in taking charge of your own health and wellbeing

CFS Culture

At CFS we are committed to creating a thriving environment where individuals can flourish. We believe that success is built upon strong teams, and we are dedicated to celebrating uniqueness, championing individuality and supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe that when you can truly be yourself, you can unlock your full potential.

Please note, CFS requires all candidates to have full work rights in Australia.

Where we have preferred candidates, background checks (including Police, Employment, Bankruptcy checks, ASIC banned and disqualified persons) will be completed prior to the final preferred candidate’s employment being confirmed. The outcomes of the background checks do not preclude the preferred candidate, however, they will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the role.

This role is based on Gadigal Land (Sydney).

Job Info

• Job Identification 3754
• Job Category Corporate Affairs
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 400 George Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000, AU