"Communications Lead"

Job Description:

• Employment Type: Full-time, Fixed Term 2-year contract.
• Remuneration: Level 8 – from $127,351 + 17% superannuation
• Location: Kensington, NSW (Hybrid working model)

About UNSW

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work. We aspire to be Australia’s global university, improving and transforming lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society.

Why your role matters

The Communications Lead will oversee the planning, development, and delivery of communications strategies and materials to support UNSW’s transition to a new academic calendar. The role focuses on student-facing communications and digital content, ensuring timely, clear, and accessible information regarding study, progression, and the broader university experience. It also manages broader stakeholder messaging, maintaining consistency across faculties and divisions to help staff effectively support students through the change.

The Communications Lead works closely with the Program Director, Change Manager, Student and Stakeholder Communications Manager, and other teams to identify impacted audiences, design tailored communication approaches, and align messaging with UNSW’s wider channels.

The role reports to the Academic Calendar Program Director, with a dotted reporting line to the Manager, Student and Stakeholder Communications, and has no direct reports.

About the Role

You will be required to undertake and have experience in the following areas of expertise:

• Collaborate with university stakeholders to develop and coordinate tailored communications and student-facing digital content programs addressing staff, student, industry, and external needs.
• Oversee, deliver, and manage effective communications to support stakeholders through the academic calendar transition.
• Create and manage communications materials across traditional and digital platforms, ensuring alignment and consistency with UNSW’s Student Communication and Internal Communication teams.
• Develop and deliver targeted content for Inside UNSW and other channels to inform, engage, and motivate staff.
• Analyse content trends, identify risks, and work with stakeholders to prepare them to adopt changes, including developing EDMs, FAQs, playbooks, and training materials.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings, workshops, training, and governance around data and University systems, including Insight CRM, SiMS, email marketing, and website CMS platforms.

About the Role

• A relevant tertiary degree with subsequent experience or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through a combination of education, training and/or experience in a relevant discipline.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work autonomously with multiple stakeholders and cross-functional teams across all levels of the University.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and applying fit-for-purpose change & communications approaches and deliverables.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to navigate through competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a people-orientated approach, and the proven ability to effectively influence and negotiate with stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in distilling complex information into straight forward messages for communication to a diverse group of stakeholders, in support of strategic goals.

How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the job description) before Sunday 26 October by 11:55pm. Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

UNSW Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include: Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc), Additional 3 days leave during December festive period, Career development opportunities, Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses, Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice, Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport).