Senior Media & Communications Advisor

Job Details; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) in Parramatta, NSW, Australia, is seeking a Senior Media & Communications Advisor. You will help shape NSW priorities by creating media content, campaigns and strategies that build public understanding and confidence.

You’ll work across a diverse portfolio within a collaborative team, driving proactive media engagement, managing issues, and translating complex information into clear messaging for audiences across multiple channels.

Qualifications

• Qualifications or experience in journalism, communications, or public affairs.
• Understanding of current affairs and end-to-end communications campaign delivery.
• Ability to be on call outside normal hours.

Responsibilities

• Drive media engagement – develop and deliver proactive media stories and manage high-profile inquiries.
• Solve communication challenges – anticipate risks, manage issues, and draft responses to sensitive media issues.
• Develop engaging content – translate complex information into clear messaging for diverse audiences across channels.

Skills

Media relations

Storytelling

Written comms

Public affairs

Stakeholder eng

Education

Journalism / Communications

Job description

• Office location based in Parramatta with flexible working supported

• Permanent full-time opportunity
• Office location based in Parramatta with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $133,348 to $146,945 + super

Help tell the stories behind the projects, places and communities shaping NSW. You'll create media content, campaigns and communication strategies that build public understanding and confidence in government priorities. Working across a diverse portfolio, you'll contribute to high impact projects as part of a collaborative team.

What you’ll do:

• Drive media engagement – Develop and deliver proactive media stories, manage high-profile media enquiries, and provide expert communications advice to internal stakeholders.
• Solve communication challenges – Anticipate risks, manage issues, and draft responses to sensitive media issues.
• Develop engaging content – Translate complex information into clear messaging to reach diverse audiences across a range of channels.

About you:

• Strong media and issues management skills, with the ability to respond to fast‑moving issues.
• Excellent storytelling and writing capability for diverse audiences.
• Experience delivering campaigns across visual, written and digital channels.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders and providing trusted advice.
• Creative, adaptable and proactive, with a focus on delivering results.

Key knowledge and experience

• Qualifications or experience in journalism, communications, or public affairs.
• Understanding of current affairs, contentious issues management, and end-to-end communications campaign delivery.

• Ability to be on call as required outside of normal working hours.

About Us

At the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), you could shape your world while helping us shape the future of NSW. Together, we create vibrant communities, places and precincts, and manage land, assets and property.

We are a high-performing organisation that proudly reflects the communities we serve. Our diversity strengthens our cultural capability and enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across NSW. As an inclusive and accessible workplace, we value your contribution, lived experience and cultural knowledge, and we want you to feel supported, connected and empowered to succeed. With flexible work arrangements, job share options, workplace adjustments and various employee affinity groups, we are here to help you thrive every day.

A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via or - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including a criminal record check.

Role Description

Senior Media & Communications Advisor Parramatta, NSW, AU

Applications close Sunday 20 Sep 2026 at 11:55pm

Should you require further information about the role please contact Kirsty Reynolds ( )