Senior Manager Media And Communications

Underwood Executive; South Australia; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Underwood Executive in Australia seeks a seasoned Senior Manager, Media & Communications to lead the organisation's media and communications strategy at a national level, with international operations. Reporting to a senior executive and working with the CEO and executive team, you will shape messaging, manage external and internal communications, and advise on crises and opportunities.

You will lead a small team, set strategic direction, oversee media relationships, develop speeches and thought

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in media relations and corporate communications.
• Proven track record in issues and reputation management.
• Ability to translate strategy into clear narratives for diverse audiences.
• Experience advising CEOs and senior executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation's media and communications agenda.
• Provide strategic leadership across corporate communications and reputation.
• Lead a small team and coach high performers.
• Manage Australian media relationships and crisis response.
• Advise CEO and executives on messaging.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Crisis communications

Job description

21st September, 2026

• / Senior Media & Communications Leadership Opportunity
• / Reputation, Issues Management & Strategic Communications
• / High-Profile National Organisation

A large and established Australian organisation with a significant national presence and international operations is seeking an accomplished media and communications leader to lead its media and communications team. Operating at considerable scale, the organisation has a strong profile and engages with a diverse range of stakeholders, markets and communities. This is an opportunity to shape its media and communications strategy, strengthen corporate reputation and work closely with the CEO and executive team.

Reporting to a senior executive and working closely with the CEO and broader executive team, the Senior Manager, Media & Communications will lead the organisation’s media, external and internal communications agenda. The role will provide strategic leadership across corporate communications, reputation and issues management, proactive and responsive media engagement, executive communications and internal communications. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, helping translate organisational strategy and complex issues into clear and compelling narratives for a range of internal and external audiences.

Leading a small, experienced team, you will set the strategic direction for the function while remaining comfortable working hands-on when required. You will manage key Australian media relationships, navigate sensitive and high-profile issues, support senior executives with media and external engagements and develop and oversee speeches public profiling and presentation, thought leadership and other strategic communications. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will ensure communications are timely, consistent and aligned, while identifying opportunities to strengthen organisational profile and reputation. The role also has direct responsibility for proactive issues management and providing communications capability during crisis situations.

A seasoned media and communications leader, you will bring significant experience across media relations and broader corporate communications within a large and complex organisation. You will have a demonstrated track record in issues and reputation management, strong established relationships across the Australian media landscape and exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Credible and confident operating at CEO and executive level, you will combine strategic thinking with the ability to execute at pace and bring the judgement, resilience and commercial pragmatism required to operate effectively in a highly visible role. Strong people leadership capability will be equally important, together with the ability to coach and develop a high-performing team.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a highly visible and influential communications leadership role within a significant Australian organisation. Working closely with senior decision-makers, you will have the opportunity to shape corporate narrative and reputation and lead a broad communications agenda across Australian and international markets.