Executive Director Communications - (Public Sector Employees Only)

Department of Energy and Economic Diversification; Panaji; On-site; INR 12,576,000 - 15,371,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification seeks an Executive Director Communications to lead integrated communications, stakeholder engagement and brand functions. The role reports to the Director General and shapes DEED’s messaging and engagement with government, industry and communities.

As principal advisor on communications, you will ensure clarity, consistency and purpose across all audiences, guiding proactive policy, engagement opportunities and a coordinated response to

Qualifications

• Substantial executive-level experience in communications leadership.
• Experience advising executives and ministers on complex matters.
• Strong reputation management and media management background.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated communications, stakeholder engagement and brand functions.
• Set and drive the department's communications strategy.
• Build relationships with Ministers, senior executives and external stakeholders.
• Lead change initiatives to create a high-performing, integrated team.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Brand management

Education

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline

Job description

Executive Director Communications - (Public Sector Employees Only)

Position No: JTS26061

Classification: Class 1, $211,558 pa + super (PSCAA 2024)

Group: Office of the Director General

Division: Office of the Director General

Work Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Perth Metropolitan

Closing Date: 28/10/2026 4:00 PM

Weare seeking expressions of interest from current Western AustralianPublic Sector employees for this role.

Shapethe Future of Western Australia

Join adepartment that’s powering WA’s energy transition and building abold, diverse economy for generations to come. At the Department ofEnergy and Economic Diversification (DEED), your work will helpdrive innovation, support local businesses, and position WA on theglobal stage. If you're ready to make a real impact - this is whereyour next chapter begins.

Aboutthe Department

DEED isresponsible for securing the State’s energy and economic future,driving innovation and long-term prosperity for all. Thisincludes:

• EnsuringWestern Australia is a reliable, efficient and attractive placeto do business
• Increasing businessinvestment
• Fostering WesternAustralia’s skills and capacity now and into thefuture
• Drivingthe energy transition

TheDepartment is guided by the following principles which shape ourculture, decision-making and strategic direction:

• Lead with empathy andintegrity: Act with kindness, respect and carefor colleagues, stakeholders and communities. Be authentic andtransparent, making grounded decisions that balance immediateneeds with long-term priorities.
• Collaborate andconnect: Build trust and strongrelationships across teams, regions and international offices.Break down silos, share expertise and engage stakeholdersconstructively to deliver better outcomes together.
• Take ownership and beaccountable: Lead at every level by takinginitiative, leaning on strengths and empowering others. Defineroles, responsibilities and decision pathways clearly, ensuringaccountability is visible and consistent.
• Focus on progress and continuousimprovement: Prioritise finding practicalsolutions. Reflect, learn and adapt quickly to changingcircumstances, continuously improving processes to enhanceefficiency and reduce duplication.
• Stay aligned to purpose andimpact: Keep connected to DEED’s biggerpicture, enabling Western Australia’s long-term prosperity.Align actions to strategy, work across government and deliverinnovative solutions that create enduring value for thecommunity.

Aboutthe Role

Tenure: This is afixed-term, full-time appointment for a period of 12months

(Current WA Public Sector Employeesonly)

Building andstrengthening DEED’s reputation and identity, shaping its narrativeand building effective engagement with government, industry and thecommunity requires strategic leadership at the highestlevel.

The newlycreated Executive Director Communications will lead DEED’sintegrated communications, stakeholder engagement and brandfunction. As the Department’s principal advisor on communicationsand engagement, the Executive Director will ensure DEEDcommunicates with clarity, consistency and purpose across allaudiences.

Reporting tothe Director General and serving as a member of the CorporateExecutive, the Executive Director will set the Department’scommunications strategy and direction. The role will lead DEED’sapproach to proactive policy and engagement opportunities, andprovide a coordinated response to contentious issues. Therole involves building strong relationships with Ministers, seniorexecutives, government agencies, industry leaders and other keystakeholders. Through this work, the Executive Director will helpposition DEED as a credible, trusted and influential public sectororganisation.

The roleleads an integrated team responsible for media and issuesmanagement, executive and government communications, internal andchange communications, stakeholder engagement, brand and digitalcommunications, campaigns and events.

A significantfocus during the first 12 months will be building the integratedteam and leading through change in a visible, collaborative andinclusive way. This will include working with employees, seniorleaders and government stakeholders to develop practical ways ofworking, establish clear accountabilities and shared standards,strengthen engagement and trust, and build a sustainable,high-performing and integrated communications function.

WhatYou Will Bring

You are anexperienced and contemporary executive leader who operatesconfidently in complex, high-profile and fast-moving environments.You bring exceptional strategic judgement, a sophisticatedunderstanding of the broader government and stakeholder landscape,and a demonstrated ability to influence outcomes at the highestlevels.

You haveextensive experience in reputation management, media management andstrategic communications, together with a proven ability to adviseexecutives and Ministers on complex, sensitive and high-profilematters. Your leadership style is collaborative and inclusive, andyou are committed to developing capability, building trust andfostering a strong organisational culture.

You can leadeffectively through ambiguity and change, anticipate emergingissues and identify opportunities that advance Government anddepartmental priorities.

To besuccessful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Substantialexecutive-level experience providing strategic leadership ofcommunications, stakeholder engagement and brand functions incomplex and dynamic environments.
• Experience drivingorganisational performance, establishing contemporary operatingmodels and building multidisciplinary, high-performingteams.
• Tertiaryqualifications in a relevant discipline or significant relevant experience.

Furtherinformation about the role and the expected leadership behaviourscan be found in the attached Job Description Form. Assessment ofleadership behaviours may be included in the recruitmentprocess.

Pre-Screening andEligibility Requirements

• Suitableproof of identity.
• Permanent Resident orCitizen of Australia.
• ANationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), commonlyknown as a police clearance, is required with a satisfactoryoutcome.
• Somepositions may also require an Australian Government SecurityClearance.

WhyJoin DEED?

This is anopportunity to lead a newly integrated communications function at acritical time in the Department's evolution and help shape howWestern Australia's key economic and energy priorities arecommunicated and understood.

You will joina collaborative executive team committed to delivering meaningfuloutcomes for Western Australians while fostering a culture ofinnovation, inclusion, accountability and continuousimprovement.

DEED mayconduct further search activities or extend the closing date, ifrequired to supplement the field of applicants.

Supportingdiversity and inclusion

As an equalopportunity employer, the department is committed to building aninclusive and diverse workplace and we welcome applications frompeople of all backgrounds. Preference may be given to Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, peopleof diverse sexualities, and young people.

We are committed to providing a fair and supportive recruitmentexperience for everyone.

Additionaljob information

Applicationsmust be submitted prior to the closing date and time specified inthe job advertisement. Late submissions will not beaccepted.

Applicantsdeemed suitable may be considered for appointment to similar roleswithin the department for up to 12 months following the completionof this recruitment process.

Successfulcandidates will be required to obtain a National Police Clearancebefore commencing employment. Some positions may also require anAustralian Government Security Clearance.

ClosingDate: Your online application must be submittedonline prior to the closing date and time - 4:00 PM (AWST) on Wednesday, 28 October2026