Writer and Communications Manager

Australian Attorney-General's Department; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15.4% superannuation

Job summary

Australian Attorney-General's Department is seeking an experienced communications professional to lead internal and client-focused writing and publishing. You will translate complex legal information into clear content, develop strategic communication plans and advise senior stakeholders across government and professional services environments.

The role focuses on governance, messaging, channels, and evaluating impact, reporting to the Senior Business Development Manager.

Qualifications

• Experienced communications professional with government or complex org background.
• Strong ability to develop and implement communication strategies.
• Advanced writing, editing and proofreading across channels.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear content for varied audiences.
• Proven project management skills and ability to manage priorities.
• Experience working with legal or technical content is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Develop internal communication strategies aligned with AGS priorities.
• Provide specialist advice on messaging, audiences and channels to senior stakeholders.
• Support governance with templates, planning tools and evaluation approaches.
• Produce, edit and quality-assure internal and client-facing materials.
• Translate complex legal information into clear, accessible content reflecting AGS standards.
• Manage communication projects with inputs from authors, designers and vendors.
• Monitor communication effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support broader Client Services and Marketing priorities during peak workloads.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communications

Writing and editing

Content translation

Project management

Legal/technical content experience

Job description

About us

AGS is the Australian Government’s central legal practice and part of the Attorney-General’s Department. AGS helps Commonwealth clients to manage legal issues, navigate new challenges and find solutions which deliver the best outcomes for Australia. We are a self-funded legal practice and compete for our work.

AGS is unique.AGS is dedicated to the national interest and is a trusted advisor to Government.

AGS is innovative. Drawing on an exceptional depth of experience and expertise, we assist the Australian Government in the development and implementation of solutions to legal issues that have national importance.

AGS is diverse.With offices in every capital city and a team of 800 staff, including 576 lawyers, we work in more than 40 different areas of law related to government.

About the role

This role supports a more strategic and coordinated approach to AGS communications. It has a strong focus on internal communication strategy, governance, stakeholder advice and communication effectiveness, while continuing to deliver high-quality writing, editing and publishing support for AGS publications and client-focused materials. The role works closely with Legal Practice Areas, and other senior internal stakeholders to improve the clarity, consistency and impact of AGS communications. The role reports to Client Services Senior Business Development Manager (Executive Level 2).

The Writer and Client Communications role will:

• develop, coordinate and support the implementation of internal communication strategies that align with AGS priorities and improve the clarity, consistency and effectiveness of staff communications
• provide specialist communication advice to senior stakeholders, including on messaging, audience needs, channel selection and engagement approaches
• support communication governance by maintaining practical standards, templates, planning tools and evaluation approaches for AGS communication channels
• produce, edit and quality assure high-quality communication materials for internal and external audiences, including publications, speeches, presentations, articles, reports, staff messages, digital content and client-facing materials
• translate complex, technical or legal information into clear, accessible and audience-focused content that reflects AGS style and standards
• manage communication projects and publishing processes, including coordinating input from legal authors, designers, digital teams and external providers
• monitor communication effectiveness and use feedback, data and practical insights to identify opportunities for improvement
• contribute to broader Client Services and Marketing priorities, including supporting colleagues during peak workload periods and responding to emerging organisational communication needs.

For further information about the requirements of the role, please refer to the role description available on our recruitment portal.

About you

The successful applicant will be an experienced communications professional with the ability to develop and deliver clear, engaging and effective communication solutions in a complex environment. You will bring:

• strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience building effective relationships across a government, professional services or similarly complex organisation
• demonstrated experience developing and implementing communication strategies that support organisational priorities and engagement outcomes
• highly developed writing, editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to produce accurate, audience-focused communication materials across a range of channels
• the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible and fit-for-purpose communications tailored to different audiences
• strong project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, deliver quality outcomes within deadlines and respond to changing needs
• experience working with legal or technical content would be highly regarded.

You will work with a community of professionals dedicated to the national interest. You will work collaboratively in an inclusive environment where everyone’s contribution is valued, and success is rewarded. We offer our employees competitive remuneration packages, including 15.4% superannuation.

AGS is a supportive organisation which embraces diversity. We understand that work is only part of your life and while our workplace can be demanding at times, we also provide access to a range of flexible working options, generous leave entitlements and wellbeing benefits to support your needs throughout your career.

Eligibility

You must be an Australian Citizen and be willing to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Baseline level.

Please provide a covering letter (no more than 2 pages), addressing the requirements of the job and your CV.

Applications close at 5:00 pm (AEST) on Thursday, 20 August 2026.

Further enquiries

Further information can be obtained by contacting Bianca Locandro, Senior Business Development Manager on 03 9242 1*** or Natalie Lightfoot, HR Business Partner on 02 6253 7***.