Manager Strategic Communications

Strategic Communications and Public Relations Manager, Clerk Grade 9/10, Wollongong NSW

• Join our dynamic Media and Communications team working in a volunteer-based agency supporting communities of NSW
• Full time permanent role
• Attractive salary package of up to $161,710.78, includes salary plus employer's 12% contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

About the opportunity

Based in Wollongong, this role is responsible for protecting, maintaining and enhancing the brand and reputation of NSW SES through the delivery of strategic communications, public relations and events, partnerships and internal communication functions. This role provides strategic oversight and direction to ensure all communications align with the agency's vision, values, and operational priorities.

The role will also be required to support the service during operational events through the creation and delivery of key safety messages across a range of channels. During periods of operational activity, weekend work and extended shift times are to be expected.

About the NSW SES

Our Mission: NSW SES saving lives and creating safer communities.

Our Vision: A trusted volunteer-based emergency service, working together to deliver excellence in community preparedness and emergency response.

The NSW SES serves the NSW community as the lead agency for floods, storms, and tsunamis as specified by the State Emergency Service Act 1989. We are recognised as the most versatile and widely used emergency service organisation in NSW.  Our volunteers are highly skilled, experienced, and well- trained in the wide variety of roles they perform.

Each NSW SES Unit is as unique and varied as the community it serves, reflecting the vast mix of risks faced and roles required in the diverse locations and communities across the state. In addition to flood, storm and tsunami, our Service provides specialist capabilities that include general land rescue, vertical rescue, road crash rescue, and alpine and remote area search and rescue.  In 2022, the NSW SES responded to more than 80,000 requests for assistance from the community and more than 3,400 flood rescues.

The NSW SES has over 10,000 volunteer members, including reserves, and a full-time equivalent workforce of over 370.  There are 262 volunteer Units across the State and our volunteer Units are either local, community-based Units, State-wide or regional Units established to provide specialist capabilities. They are varied and unique in their capabilities, designed to address specific risks to communities of NSW.

About you

To be successful in this role you will:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in media, public relations, journalism or marketing.
• Demonstrated extensive experience managing teams across media, public relations, or corporate communications.
• Thorough knowledge of AIIMS principles and processes, and/or willingness to obtain competence within 12 months

What we can offer you

• Employment with attractive leave entitlements including parental leave, recreation and flex leave and other leave entitlements
• Attractive salary package of up to $161, $ $ leave loading + super)
• Flexible work options working within operational requirements
• Mental Health and Wellbeing programs and services
• Operational and leadership training and development opportunities via LinkedIn Learning and other training avenues to build and maintain skills
• Comprehensive immunisation programs including the flu vaccine
• Opportunities to build invaluable relationships across emergency service agencies, emergency service committees and other Government and community organisations.

How to apply

Your application should include as separate attachments:

• A cover letter (maximum of one page) briefly responding to the essential requirementsand your interest in the role;
• Responses to each of the targeted questions (maximum of one page per answer); and
• An up-to-date resumeof no more than four pages detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role

Targeted Questions

1. Please tell us about your experience in leading a team through the planning and delivery of a significant media and communications project or campaign. Explain your strategy, the intended audience, the stakeholders you worked with/consulted, and challenges you faced. Explain how you tracked progress and evaluated success.
2. Describe a time where you have needed to strategise a plan to deliver difficult or controversial news to either an internal or external audience. Explain your thought process, planning you undertook, stakeholders you engaged and how you ultimately rolled out the messaging. What was the outcome and were there any learnings?

Want to know more?

For more information about the role, applicants are encouraged to contact Andrew Edmunds, Acting Senior Manager Media and Communications via email –

The role description is available here _Strategic Communications and Public Relations Manager_9-

A recruitment pool may be created to fill similar roles for both ongoing and temporary opportunities if they arise.

For more information on how to apply for a role in the NSW Public Sector please click here.

Applications close:  Thursday 28th August, 11:55pm

The NSW State Emergency Service is a proud employer of a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to reflecting the diverse community we serve and creating an inclusive and flexible workplace. People with disability are supported to access adjustments in recruitment processes and in the workplace, to enable them to demonstrate their skills and capabilities to meet the requirements of the job. As supporters of flexible working, we welcome discussions about how our roles can be undertaken flexibly.