A06 Senior Communications Officer

As a Senior Communications Advisor, you will serve as a trusted strategic communications lead within the Communications team. Your core responsibility is the delivery of high-level, strategic communications advice and coordination, with a critical focus on complex, high-risk infrastructure projects across the metropolitan region. This position is vital for maintaining public confidence; you will be instrumental in developing a coordinated, proactive, and risk-informed communications approach across all internal and external channels. You will utilise sound risk assessment and high-level judgement to evaluate communication needs and processes, proactively protecting and enhancing the reputation of the Department and its major projects.

The successful candidate is required to demonstrate proven ability in the following high-level responsibilities:

• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy: Initiate, cultivate, and maintain strong, strategic relationships with a complex network of stakeholders, including Ministerial and Departmental executive staff, representatives of government agencies, key industry partners, community groups, and non-government organisations. Act as a key liaison and conduit, ensuring consistent and accurate flow of critical project information between technical teams and public-facing stakeholders.
• High-Risk Communications Strategy and Execution: Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive communication and issues management strategies for major, high-risk infrastructure projects, ensuring seamless and proactive messaging across all project milestones. Provide expert counsel to project directors and leadership on communication tactics, public consultation protocols, and sensitive project announcements.
• Executive and Crisis Content Development: Research, draft, and finalise high-quality, high-stakes communication materials for executive and ministerial use, including official media releases, detailed Ministerial correspondence, strategic project briefings, community newsletters, public display materials, and compelling speech notes. Ensure all material is politically sensitive, legally sound, and aligns with whole-of-government messaging standards.
• Proactive Risk and Issue Management: Maintain and actively disseminate up-to-date intelligence regarding the region's current projects and forward work plans to proactively identify emerging communication trends, reputational risks, and potential issues that could impact the region or the Department. Develop and manage risk matrices specific to project communications, providing mitigation strategies to leadership well in advance of public exposure.
• Governance and Network Leadership: Provide strategic communication advice and recommendations on complex issues management and executive correspondence, aimed at improving and sustaining positive relationships with key stakeholders and the broader community. Initiate and expand effective professional networks with counterparts in other government agencies and professional associations to ensure the client adheres to best practice in public sector communications.

We will assess your experience, knowledge, and acquired skills, as well as your personal qualities against the following criteria, essential for success at a Senior Advisor level:

• Makes Insightful Decisions: Demonstrates the ability to critically analyse voluminous and often conflicting information to gain deep insight into complex communication issues. Accepts full decision-making responsibility within delegated authority and exhibits exemplary judgement regarding the appropriate timing and necessity for escalating issues to senior management.
• Builds Enduring Relationships: Is highly proficient in communicating with clarity, succinctness, and deliberate care, skillfully adjusting both the message and delivery style to resonate effectively with diverse, high-level, and sometimes adversarial stakeholders. Consistently builds rapport and establishes strong, mutually beneficial connections that withstand project pressures.
• Drives Accountability and Outcomes: Operates with a strong sense of urgency and ownership over deliverables. Welcomes complex challenges in work delivery and demonstrates exceptional persistence in finding creative, compliant solutions to overcome obstacles, ensuring strategic communication objectives and project deadlines are consistently met.
• Demonstrates Sound Governance: Exhibits a deep professional respect and operational appreciation for the Queensland public sector legislation and policy framework. Consistently operates with meticulous adherence to all key standards governing public communications, media protocols, and official departmental record-keeping.

• Desirable Requirements

• Experience in infrastructure planning, delivery, or regulatory environments.

• Demonstrated experience managing executive and ministerial correspondence within a complex public sector environment.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Communications, Media, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related discipline.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.