Communications Manager

About Us: Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, known for its genuine hospitality, pristine beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, rock river gorges, sprawling farmland and peaceful villages. We are a progressive, proactive and dynamic organisation, and we pride ourselves on the respectful and supportive workplace we have cultivated. With 360+ dedicated staff managing $1.5 billion worth of assets across many sites throughout the Shire, KSC work closely with our community to build an inspired, connected Macleay Valley. Your New Role: As Communications Manager with KSC you can leverage your expertise in strategic communication and leadership to meaningfully impact our organisation’s internal and external messaging.You will develop and enhance key stakeholder relationships (with council staff, leaders and a range of media) and grow and diversify audiences. We’re looking for someone who will further develop our high-performing communications team in-line with contemporary communications practices and develop our new communications strategy.  About You: To be successful in this role, you will possess tertiary qualifications in journalism, communications or related field and\or demonstrated relevant industry experience; strong, effective leadership skills; experience in media relations, including preparing media releases and handling media enquiries; proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms, including social media management, content management systems, and analytics software; and strong professional writing and editing skills, including writing for multiple audiences in various formats.You are a passionate and effective communications leader with excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, who will actively contribute to a positive workplace culture that celebrates successes, commits to ongoing learning, and upholds our organisations values.Key accountabilities include:Proactively managing the organisation’s reputation, identifying issues and developing appropriate crisis management and mitigation strategies.Working with the Group Manager Community Partnerships to provide considered advice and expertise to the Leadership Team and Mayor on communications and public relations issues.Leading the Communications Team to provide an effective service to internal customers to generate proactive content distributed through a range of channels including digital, media and marketing.Providing leadership and management to the Communications team by developing a positive team culture, mentoring and supporting their development, providing clear direction and expectations, and setting and monitoring performance against KPIs.For a complete list of the Key Accountabilities and Core Competency requirements, please download the Position Description.Benefits of working for Kempsey Shire Council: As the successful candidate, you’ll enjoy: A permanent full-time position, 35 hour work week Monthly Rostered Day Off (RDO)Weekly salary of $2008.60 to $2260.70 (plus 11% superannuation)Flexible work options, including a hybrid model of working from home and the officeGenerous leave entitlements, including access to Long Service Leave after five yearsA working environment focussed on wellbeing, including flexible work arrangements, rostered days off, EAP access, social club, and health and wellbeing programsFitness Passports for discounted access to a range of gym and pool facilitiesCareer development and learning opportunities, access to study leave if requiredNovated Leasing and salary packaging options (for eligible roles)A supportive, collaborative working environment designed to help you grow! A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid-North CoastInterested?Please apply via Council’s website http://careers.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/. Note that you will be required to prepare and submit: A short statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities will enable you to achieve the key accountabilities of the role (as listed in the Position Description); and Your current resume.Applications Close: COB Tuesday, 17 June 2025.Please note that Council reserves the right to close this job advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.Have questions? Please contact Liesa Davies, Group Manager Community Partnerships, for a confidential discussion on Ph: 0491337990.Please Note: Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails.  Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates. If you experience any difficulties applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on 02 6566 3200 or email jobs@kempsey.nsw.gov.au Thank you and good luck with your application.Kempsey Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate our diverse, inclusive and values-led workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. In addition, Kempsey Shire Council will provide reasonable adjustments for suitably qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please discuss with the advertised contact person. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process. Position Description AUD West Kempsey 2440

Communications Manager

About Us:

Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, known for its genuine hospitality, pristine beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, rock river gorges, sprawling farmland and peaceful villages.

We are a progressive, proactive and dynamic organisation, and we pride ourselves on the respectful and supportive workplace we have cultivated. With 360+ dedicated staff managing $1.5 billion worth of assets across many sites throughout the Shire, KSC work closely with our community to build an inspired, connected Macleay Valley. 

Your New Role:

As Communications Manager with KSC you can leverage your expertise in strategic communication and leadership to meaningfully impact our organisation’s internal and external messaging.

You will develop and enhance key stakeholder relationships (with council staff, leaders and a range of media) and grow and diversify audiences. We’re looking for someone who will further develop our high-performing communications team in-line with contemporary communications practices and develop our new communications strategy.  

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will possess tertiary qualifications in journalism, communications or related field and\or demonstrated relevant industry experience; strong, effective leadership skills; experience in media relations, including preparing media releases and handling media enquiries; proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms, including social media management, content management systems, and analytics software; and strong professional writing and editing skills, including writing for multiple audiences in various formats.

You are a passionate and effective communications leader with excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, who will actively contribute to a positive workplace culture that celebrates successes, commits to ongoing learning, and upholds our organisations values.

Key accountabilities include:

  • Proactively managing the organisation’s reputation, identifying issues and developing appropriate crisis management and mitigation strategies.
  • Working with the Group Manager Community Partnerships to provide considered advice and expertise to the Leadership Team and Mayor on communications and public relations issues.
  • Leading the Communications Team to provide an effective service to internal customers to generate proactive content distributed through a range of channels including digital, media and marketing.
  • Providing leadership and management to the Communications team by developing a positive team culture, mentoring and supporting their development, providing clear direction and expectations, and setting and monitoring performance against KPIs.

For a complete list of the Key Accountabilities and Core Competency requirements, please download the Position Description.

Benefits of working for Kempsey Shire Council:

As the successful candidate, you’ll enjoy:

  • A permanent full-time position, 35 hour work week
  • Monthly Rostered Day Off (RDO)
  • Weekly salary of $2008.60 to $2260.70 (plus 11% superannuation)
  • Flexible work options, including a hybrid model of working from home and the office
  • Generous leave entitlements, including access to Long Service Leave after five years
  • A working environment focussed on wellbeing, including flexible work arrangements, rostered days off, EAP access, social club, and health and wellbeing programs
  • Fitness Passports for discounted access to a range of gym and pool facilities
  • Career development and learning opportunities, access to study leave if required
  • Novated Leasing and salary packaging options (for eligible roles)
  • A supportive, collaborative working environment designed to help you grow! 
  • A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid-North Coast

Interested?

Please apply via Council’s website http://careers.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/. Note that you will be required to prepare and submit:

  • A short statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities will enable you to achieve the key accountabilities of the role (as listed in the Position Description); and 
  • Your current resume.

Applications Close: COB Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

Please note that Council reserves the right to close this job advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Have questions? Please contact Liesa Davies, Group Manager Community Partnerships, for a confidential discussion on Ph: 0491337990.

Please Note: Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails.  Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates.

If you experience any difficulties applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on 02 6566 3200 or email jobs@kempsey.nsw.gov.au

Thank you and good luck with your application.

Kempsey Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate our diverse, inclusive and values-led workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. In addition, Kempsey Shire Council will provide reasonable adjustments for suitably qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please discuss with the advertised contact person. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.