Coordinator Communications

• Based in Bannockburn, great location and an easy drive from Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne with free onsite parking
• Permanent full time role with opportunity to grow
• Genuine flexibility including hybrid work arrangements, flexible hours and monthly ADOs
• Salary between $105,100-$117,600 (dependant on experience) + super

Golden Plains Shire Council provides a workplace where people matter, communities are connected, and the future is bright. We offer a diverse range of career pathways in meaningful roles with a sense of purpose where you can grow and thrive.

To continue to deliver for our community, we are seeking an experienced Coordinator Communications & Engagement to provide strategic direction for and delivery of corporate communications, engagement, media and marketing activities for Golden Plains Shire Council.

This role will provide you the opportunity to:

• Lead Golden Plains Shire council's strategic external communications, media function to ensure effective management of Council's brand and reputation through authentic communication and with our community at the centre of our efforts.
• Provide proactive, high-level, strategic media and issues management advise to the Executive Leadership Team and Mayor and report directly on matters affecting Council reputation and relationships.
• Responsible for planning and leading strategic communications and engagement programs to develop and implement the achievement of the Communications and Engagement Strategy and deliver key objectives of the Golden Plains Shire Council Plan.
• Lead and build the capacity of dedicated Communications and Engagement team members to deliver and project manage high quality external and internal digital and written communications, marketing, community engagement, online and print graphic design, events and media activities, and publications projects, programs and services.
• Work with project managers to ensure relevant communities/stakeholders are engaged in a meaningful way at the appropriate time throughout the lifecycle of a project and informed of the decision-making process and outcome.
• Build and maintain strong strategic and constructive relationships within and outside Council, with a range of stakeholders, represent Council's perspectives and help articulate Council's key messaging through high-level campaigns across digital print which positively influence the opinions of key stakeholder groups.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated experience in a Communications leadership role in a complex and diverse organisation with a focus on media relations, government affairs, strategic communication development and execution, or complex issues management.
• Tertiary qualification in communications, journalism or a related field.
• A high level of written and oral communication skills with notable experience in editing and writing on technical breakthroughs and research outcomes for a wide range of digital and traditional communication platforms for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build, implement and evaluate strategic communication plans, incorporating community engagement principles and practices, with a track record of achieving results and delivering on communication objectives.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with elected representatives, senior management and key internal and external stakeholders while effectively leading, coaching, mentoring and delivering results through a communications and engagement team, and across internal boundaries.
• Understanding of social media, digital and graphic designs principles and practices, including usability and accessibility with the ability to search for solutions to new problems/opportunities.
• Effective and efficient problem-solving skills with the ability to lead strategic improvements to online and offline communication production and practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of the economic, political and social issues relating to the local government environment and broader government relations and how it influences public policy at all levels of government.

* Don't meet every single requirement?  If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, give us a call to talk further. We take into consideration transferable skills, future capability and cultural fit when reviewing applications and offer tailored development plans to support individuals to grow into their roles.  You may just be the right candidate for this or another position at Golden Plains.

We care We thrive We grow

Our people are passionate, collaborative and deeply committed to both the community and the work they do. This commitment is felt from the moment you step through the doors, in every interaction and in the way we celebrate our collective achievements.

We care about our community and our people, provide flexibility and support so you can thrive and offer a diverse range of opportunities to support your personal and professional growth. We are dedicated to fostering this culture, because we know that our people are the key to the future growth and success of Golden Plains Shire.

We offer:

• Learning and development opportunities aligned to your role and aspirations, along with opportunities to work on a variety of projects and undertake secondments
• Flexible work arrangements to empower you to achieve better life/work balance
• A modern, high-quality, architectural designed working environment with free onsite parking
• An environment where health, safety and wellbeing are prioritised in all that we do
• An active Social Club
• Novated leases available to permanent full and part time staff
• Ability to transfer years of service from Government organisations and transfer of LSL balance within Local Government and with some government organisations

• Generous leave entitlements including:

• Up to 16 weeks primary & up to 3 weeks secondary parental leave

• Purchased leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

If you'd like to learn more, please view the Position Description available on Council's website ) or contact Adam McSwain, Chief Executive Officer on for a confidential discussion.

We'd love to hear from you ASAP regarding this role  To ensure we find the best candidates, applications for this role will be assessed as they are received, and the position may be filled prior to any end date advertised.

APPLY NOW

Click on Apply to submit your application and follow the prompts.

Please address the key selection criteria (KSC) in your cover letter or use the KSC to guide your responses to the online questionnaire when submitting your application.

For further tips and tricks to help you shine during the recruitment process, visit our website.

We encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments or additional support you may require during the recruitment process, as well as how this role can be flexible for you. Please contact our People & Culture team at to discuss how we can best support you.

Applications close on SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER 2025 at 11.59PM

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace that allows staff to bring their whole selves to all that they do.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing a safe workplace that embraces and values child safety, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the value and diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to the heritage of all Australians and our workplace.

We wholeheartedly believe that the decisions we make and the services we deliver benefit from having a workforce representative of the community we support - that the diversity of thought, experience, insights and background will ensure the needs of the broader community are considered in all we do. We encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.