Specialist Communications - Projects

Tasports; Hobart; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

TasPorts is seeking a Communications Specialist based in Hobart to develop and deliver effective communications that support projects, strategic initiatives and organisational priorities. You will work within the Corporate Affairs team, providing project-focused communications support and broader expertise to ensure clear, engaging messaging with internal and external stakeholders.

This 2-year fixed-term full-time role requires strategic advisory, media relations, and stakeholder engagement

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related discipline, and/or demonstrated experience in a similar role.
• Experience developing and implementing communication strategies and plans.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience preparing communication materials, media content, presentations, briefings and reports.
• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organisational, planning and time management capabilities.
• A current driver's licence
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Marine Security Identification Card (MSIC).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement targeted communication strategies for TasPorts projects to ensure community and stakeholder understanding and support
• Provide advice to the business teams on messaging, timing, and stakeholder considerations
• Prepare project communications material, such as fact sheets, presentations, and updates
• Support the Communications Manager in engaging with media, ensuring consistent and effective messaging.
• Craft media releases, manage inquiries, and organising media events relevant to projects.
• Develop speaking notes and assist in preparing key staff for media engagements.
• Coordinate with community stakeholders on projects to align communication efforts
• Manage issues and crisis communication related to TasPorts projects to minimise reputational risk
• Collaborate with the Corporate Affairs team to ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels
• Collaborate with colleagues to produce communications collateral, including liaising with creative agencies and contractors, to promote TasPorts whilst ensuring quality control of the brand
• Provide generalist communications support as required across the Corporate Affairs function, particularly during periods of high workload or emerging issues

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Written and verbal communication

Interpersonal communication

Organisational skills

Time management

Driver's licence

MSIC eligibility

Education

Tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or related discipline

Job description

Who we are

TasPorts is a state-owned company responsible for ten Tasmanian ports and the Devonport Airport. We are a vertically integrated organisation providing a diverse range of port and marine operations and services around Tasmania. Our vision is to proudly connect people, products and solutions for the benefit of all Tasmanians.

With 99% of the State's freight moving through our multi-port system, TasPorts facilitates vital trade to enable industry partners and communities while ensuring the highest environmental and safety standards.

We are proud to be recognised as a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for All Women.

TasPorts | WORK180 Endorsed Employer

The role

As a Communications Specialist, you will play a key role in developing and delivering effective communications that support TasPorts' projects, strategic initiatives and organisational priorities. Working in a collaborative team, you will provide project-focused communications support and broader communications expertise across the Corporate Affairs team, helping to ensure clear, consistent and engaging communication with internal and external stakeholders.

This is a 2-year fixed-term full-time contract, based in Hobart, Tasmania.

The position may involve intrastate travel and will be required to undertake media relations work outside of normal operating hours.

Key Duties

Strategic communications

• Develop and implement targeted communication strategies for TasPorts projects to ensure community and stakeholder understanding and support

• Provide advice to the business teams on messaging, timing, and stakeholder considerations

• Prepare project communications material, such as fact sheets, presentations, and updates

Media engagement

• Support the Communications Manager in engaging with media, ensuring consistent and effective messaging.

• Craft media releases, manage inquiries, and organising media events relevant to projects.

• Develop speaking notes and assist in preparing key staff for media engagements.

Stakeholder engagement

• Coordinate with community stakeholders on projects to align communication efforts

• Manage issues and crisis communication related to TasPorts projects to minimise reputational risk

Corporate Affairs support

• Collaborate with the Corporate Affairs team to ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels

• Collaborate with colleagues to produce communications collateral, including liaising with creative agencies and contractors, to promote TasPorts whilst ensuring quality control of the brand

Provide generalist communications support as required across the Corporate Affairs function, particularly during periods of high workload or emerging issues

About you

You are an experienced communications professional with a talent for translating complex information into clear, engaging and effective communications. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, building strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders while delivering high-quality outcomes and meeting competing priorities.

With experience in communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, government relations or a similar field, you are confident providing strategic advice, developing communication plans, managing sensitive issues and preparing engaging content across a variety of channels. Your excellent written and verbal communication skills enable you to influence, collaborate and build trust with internal and external stakeholders.

Highly organised and proactive, you can manage multiple projects simultaneously, exercise sound judgement and adapt to changing priorities. You bring strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills, along with a commitment to delivering accurate, timely and professional communications that support organisational objectives.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related discipline, and/or demonstrated experience in a similar role.

• Experience developing and implementing communication strategies and plans.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

• Experience preparing communication materials, media content, presentations, briefings and reports.

• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

• Strong organisational, planning and time management capabilities.

• A current driver's licence

• The ability to obtain and maintain a Marine Security Identification Card (MSIC).

Why work for us?

Join TasPorts and be part of an organisation that keeps Tasmania connected. We offer professional development opportunities, a supportive team culture, flexible work options where appropriate, 15 weeks paid parental leave, free parking at many TasPorts locations, wellbeing initiatives and the opportunity to make a real impact through meaningful work that supports Tasmania's future.

Where to next?

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace, where the individual differences of our employees are considered value-adding. We encourage applications from suitably qualified persons, including Indigenous Australians, people of all ages and people with a disability.

For more information about TasPorts, please visit our website: www.tasports.com.au, or if you have any questions regarding the role - [e-mail]

Applications close 12noon - 23rd October 2026.

Desired Skills and Experience

You are an experienced communications professional with a talent for translating complex information into clear, engaging and effective communications. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, building strong relationships with a diverse