Senior Advisor External Affairs

Overview

Join to apply for the Senior Advisor External Affairs role at City of Melbourne.

• Permanent Full-Time opportunity
  
• Employee discounts program
  
• Salary: $118,141 - $132,292 plus 12% Superannuation
  

About The Role

The Senior Advisor, External Affairs is a key strategic position within the City of Melbourne, driving collaboration across content teams to deliver integrated, high-impact communications. The successful candidate will show initiative, bring new ideas to the table and evaluate different strategies in action – driving the Corporate Affairs team to deliver clear, informative and engaging content for our community.

Working closely with the Media Manager and Head of Corporate Affairs, this role ensures alignment across media, social, corporate, and emerging platforms.

With a strong focus on traditional media, the Senior Advisor plays a vital role in protecting the City's reputation, by delivering effective and accessible communications on Council issues, policies and initiatives.

In a fast-paced and complex environment, you'll provide expert strategic advice to senior leaders, executives, councillors, and the Lord Mayor's office. Your deep understanding of the media landscape and ability to build trusted relationships with journalists and stakeholders will be essential to your success.

As part of a dynamic and collaborative team, you'll contribute to the delivery of timely, accurate, and high-quality communications. You'll work across all Council portfolios, offering proactive and reactive advice to your Corporate Affairs colleagues – supporting them to plan and execute communications that address reputational risks and celebrate Council initiatives.

What Your Experience Might Look Like

• Tertiary qualifications in media, journalism, public relations, communications, or equivalent experience
  
• Proven ability to manage complex, sensitive issues in a political and dynamic environment
  
• Strong understanding of delivering strategy across owned and earned media
  
• A keen interest in new and emerging channels
  
• Strong influencing, negotiation, and high-level communication skills
  
• Experience building effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels
  
• Ability to work proactively and reactively, with sound judgment in high-risk situations
  

Benefits Of Working With Us

• Attractive remuneration & benefits: Excellent pay package with a range of exciting benefits. Flexible working, study assistance & other great corporate discounts.
  
• Excellent leave entitlements: Enjoy up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to the government-funded parental leave, with no waiting period to access. Part-time equivalents are also available for added flexibility.
  
• Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment.
  
• Work-life balance and hybrid working: We support flexible hours, alternative work arrangements (like ADOs), and hybrid work-from-home options.
  

How To Apply

We'd love to hear how you can make an impact in this role As part of your application, you will be required to:

• Attach your updated resume
  
• Include a cover letter (max one page) outlining your relevant experience and why you're a great fit for this role.
  

Submit your application no later than 11:45pm on Wednesday, 10 September 2025.

A few important things to note – don't miss out

• Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we can't accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided.
  
• Apply early This role may close sooner than the listed closing date if we find the right candidate — so don't wait to get your application in.
  
• We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and, for most roles, a Working with Children Check.
  

Need more info?

Refer to the position description below or contact Brittany Nelson - Manager Media and Public Affairs, Brittany.Nelson@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

Inclusion matters

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds. We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you're contacted for an interview.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level
  

Employment type

• Full-time
  

Job function

• Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
  

Industries

• Government Administration
  

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