SM1 - Manager, Strategic Communications

Department for Education, South Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

The Department for Education, South Australia seeks a Manager, Strategic Communications to lead a team of communications professionals and oversee the department's strategic communications and channels. You will develop and deliver a forward-looking communications plan, guided by audience insights and behavior change principles.

Working in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment, you will build capability across the communications function, collaborate with stakeholders at all levels,

Qualifications

• Essential qualifications: Nil.
• Desirable: A tertiary qualification in communications or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of communications professionals and oversee strategic and corporate communications.
• Develop, deliver and manage a forward-looking communications plan for a large department.
• Apply audience insights and behavior change principles to ensure messages are targeted and effective.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across levels to support department initiatives and evaluation.

Education

A tertiary qualification in communications or equivalent experience

Job description

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

Department for Education

Job reference: 863180

Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child’s potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About The Role

The Manager, Strategic Communications leads a team of high performing communications professionals and is responsible for oversight and continuous improvement of the department’s strategic and corporate communications and selected channels.

The position oversees the provision of specialist critical communications support and solutions to all levels of departmental programs, initiatives, strategies, and issues based on a strong understanding of audience motivation and insights to ensure that messages and solutions are targeted and effective.

The position is responsible for developing, delivering, and managing a forward-looking communications planner that maps key communications activity for a large and complex department with large and varied target audiences.

The Manager, Strategic Communications requires a high-level understanding of setting clear communications objectives and applying the principles of behavior change. The role is responsible for building the capability of education communicators to develop, implement and evaluate effective communications strategies, and solutions. This includes providing advice and developing communications resources to support the communications team and broader department to develop high-quality communications.

Possessing a highly collaborative working approach and a strong focus on relationships, the position is required to partner closely with stakeholders in varied positions and at all levels to deliver on the requirements of the role.

Working within a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment, the position needs to be adaptable and able to work across multiple projects and priorities efficiently, effectively and with a strong focus on evaluation and improvement

Qualifications

Essential: Nil

Desirable: A tertiary qualification in communications or equivalent experience

Special conditions

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Remuneration

SM1 $144,421 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%)

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed via email to: [email protected]

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Note

This is a full-time contract role (1.0 FTE), initial 12-month term contract.

Applications close

11/11/2026 11:30 PM

Attachments

• Application Cover Sheet - PSAct..pdf
• How to Apply PS Act guidelines.pdf
• SM1- Manager Strategic Communications - Position Description - October 2026.pdf
• VL233 Pre-employment declaration.pdf

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.