"Communications Manager"

• Full time fixed term for 12 months
• Opportunity to offer expert-level insights for internal and external communication efforts for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• HEO 9 Base Salary $146,197 - $154,260 p.a. + 17% superannuation
• Not suitable for remote working arrangement - 3 days on campus requirement

About the opportunity

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is looking for a Communications Manager to lead a step-change in the way we communicate. This is a rare opportunity to shape a new chapter, crafting a communications approach that is strategic, unified and bold in its ambition.

You will be joining a faculty rich in ideas, disciplines and perspectives, working with extraordinary people and impactful research to help tell our story to the world.

This is a hands-on and strategic role for someone who is as comfortable building an engaging internal newsletter as they are in shaping faculty-wide narratives. You will drive the Faculty's brand and reputation, fuel engagement with our strategic direction, and foster a stronger sense of connection, clarity and belonging for staff and students alike.

Our Faculty, and the University, has embarked on a long-horizon strategy focused on sustained and consistent excellence, with transformation at its core. This is your chance to be part of that journey, and to build something that lasts, with the freedom to rethink, reframe and re-energise how we communicate, internally and externally.

As a Communications Manager, you will:

• own and implement the Faculty's overarching communication strategy and planning framework;
• partner with and support central communication resources and coordinate activities across schools and key university partners;
• foster and manage relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners, representing the Faculty in all aspects of marketing and communications planning;
• provide high-level, expert communications advice to Faculty leadership, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and clarity of message;
• own and oversee the implementation of content strategy, ensuring relevance to segmented audiences, consistency across platforms, and alignment with broader engagement objectives;
• lead the planning, curation and dissemination of Faculty content through university-wide internal channels, ensuring our progress is clearly and effectively communicated to internal stakeholders;
• oversee content and channel governance, including tone, consistency, accessibility and adherence to brand;
• develop and deliver compelling communication campaigns and storytelling initiatives that showcase the Faculty's research, teaching and community impact with clarity, authority and inspiration.

About you

You are a passionate and experienced communications generalist, with experience that spans marketing, content creation, ghost writing, internal communication, media engagement and digital storytelling.

You see complexity as an opportunity, not a barrier. You understand how to connect the dots across platforms, audiences and strategic priorities, and you can shift gears seamlessly between big-picture thinking and hands-on execution.

Selection Criteria:

• Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field and/or an equivalent combination of relevant training and experience.
• Proven experience in leading the implementation of communication strategy within a large and complex organisation.
• Strong people skills and the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling capabilities across a range of channels and audiences.
• A natural curiosity and drive for continuous improvement.
• Confidence in shaping and governing messaging and channel frameworks.
• A knack for seeing the big picture without losing sight of detail, whether managing a content calendar, building a newsletter or crafting a compelling speech.
• A collaborative and agile mindset, with the energy to bring people together and lead through change.
• A track record of using content management systems (CMS) to publish and manage digital content with ease and precision.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with sound judgement, initiative and the confidence to provide expert-level communication advice.
• experience working in the higher education sector or a similarly complex environment (desirable).

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Rae Hao, Recruitment Consultant, on 8627 0063 or by email to rae.hao@sydney.edu.au.

Copyright The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.