Senior Media & External Affairs Officer (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

Senior Media & External Affairs Officer (Contract)

Western Sydney International Airport – Sydney NSW

Full time

21h ago , from WSA Co Limited - Western Sydney Airport

As we prepare for operations, we're looking for a strategic and hands‑on Senior Media & External Affairs Officer to join our Corporate Affairs team. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the narrative of one of Australia's most significant projects while building trusted relationships across media, government, industry and community stakeholders.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, Media & Corporate Communications, you'll play a critical role in supporting media engagement, corporate communications, stakeholder events and reputation management activities that help WSI deliver on its purpose of generating social and economic prosperity for Western Sydney.

Please not - this is a maximum term position to the end of July 2027.

Key responsibilities

Media & Communications

• 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.

Internal Communications

• 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.

Corporate Storytelling & Content Development

• 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.

Stakeholder Engagement & Events

• 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.

Reputation & External Affairs

• 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.

About you

Experience within infrastructure, aviation, government, transport or major projects is desirable.

Corporate affairs, public relations or journalism experience in a complex stakeholder environment.

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in communications, public relations, stakeholder engagement, government affairs or journalism.

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.

Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building capabilities.

Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Strategic thinking combined with a hands‑on delivery mindset.

Strong project management, organisational and planning skills.

Excellent judgment, political awareness and issue management capability.

High attention to detail and commitment to quality outcomes.

Resilient, adaptable and comfortable working through ambiguity.

Proficiency across Microsoft Office applications.

What We Offer

At WSI you're not just joining a team — you're becoming part of a community that thrives on purpose, passion and possibility.

We’re building a culture that brings out the best in people, empowering every individual to grow, contribute and shine. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, we offer experiences that unlock your full potential.

Our values power everything we do:

Safety Because nothing matters more.

Heart Our passion drives us in everything we do.

Striving To be different and better.

Achieving together We make it happen with collaboration

Proudly working on Dharug land, we reflect the vibrant diversity of Western Sydney and welcome people from all backgrounds and abilities to be part of our journey.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments to the application or recruitment process.