Senior Media & External Affairs Lead (Contract)

Western Sydney International Airport; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Sydney International Airport is seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Media & External Affairs Officer to join our Corporate Affairs team. You will manage media enquiries, develop statements and materials, and build relationships with journalists and stakeholders as the airport progresses toward operations.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, Media & Corporate Communications, you will support media engagement, internal communications, events and content development, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Corporate affairs, public relations or journalism experience in a complex stakeholder environment.
• 6-8 years minimum demonstrated experience managing media relations and developing high-quality communications.
• Experience supporting stakeholder engagement programs, events and executive communications.
• Strong understanding of government processes, government departments and ministerial offices.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day media enquiries and coordinate timely responses across the business.
• Develop media statements, releases, briefing materials and proactive story opportunities.
• Build positive relationships with journalists, editors, producers and media representatives.
• Support issues management and contribute to balanced, accurate media coverage of WSI.
• Coordinate and deliver engaging internal communications initiatives.
• Support whole-of-company meetings, leadership communications and employee engagement activities.
• Draft communications on behalf of senior leaders, including the CEO and Executive team.
• Help evolve and strengthen the WSI narrative as the airport transitions to operations.
• Develop compelling content including speeches, presentations, talking points, briefing notes, event materials and stakeholder communications.
• Source and develop case studies and thought leadership content.
• Champion messaging consistency across the organisation.
• Coordinate high-quality media events, stakeholder engagements, airport tours and presentations.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to deliver impactful engagement opportunities.
• Ensure activities are aligned with organisational priorities, safety requirements and reputation objectives.
• Support initiatives that strengthen WSI's reputation and social licence across media, government, industry, business and community audiences.
• Contribute to strategic communications and stakeholder engagement programs.
• Maintain awareness of the state, federal and local political, government and industry landscape and apply insights to communications planning.

Skills

Media relations

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Interpersonal communication

Strategic thinking

Project management

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Tertiary qualifications in communications or journalism

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Western Sydney International Airport is seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Media & External Affairs Officer to join our Corporate Affairs team. You will manage media enquiries, develop statements and materials, and build relationships with journalists and stakeholders as the airport progresses toward operations.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, Media & Corporate Communications, you will support media engagement, internal communications, events and content development, with a focus on