"Manager, Media Strategy, Public Affairs"

Manager, Media Strategy, Public Affairs

locations

Darlington Campus

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted 3 Days Ago

job requisition id

0146700

• Full-time, 3 year fixed term opportunity
• Drive impactful media strategy, crisis communication and executive engagement during a time of dynamic public and sector change
• Competitive remuneration package plus 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

As the Manager, Media Strategy, you will join a dynamic Public Affairs team where your strategic thinking, exceptional writing skills and media expertise will directly support and protect the reputation of a leading Australian university. In this senior role, you will take the lead on key proactive media initiatives and play a critical part in navigating sensitive and high‑stakes issues across the higher education sector. You will also be a key driver of the University’s crisis communications response, working closely with the Head of senior executives and internal stakeholders to ensure clear, timely and well‑judged communication during challenging moments.

This role is ideal for someone who is a strong writer and highly skilled at building trusted relationships across complex stakeholder groups. It requires someone with a well‑developed risk radar and a keen awareness of media and political landscapes, who can anticipate issues and navigate them with sound judgement. If you thrive in fast‑moving environments and are across the news cycle, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Provide senior leadership on handling of media enquiries, emerging issues and crisis situations, ensuring responses are timely, accurate and aligned with protecting the institution’s reputation
• Provide high‑level media advice to senior University leaders and act as a trusted expert across complex and sensitive matters
• Craft clear, compelling and high-quality written content, including media releases, executive briefs, statements and thought‑leadership pieces
• Lead the planning, development and delivery of high‑impact media strategies and priority projects, driving proactive storytelling across key faculty and institutional initiatives
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with journalists, editorial teams and internal stakeholders at all levels
• Identify emerging risks, advise on mitigation strategies, and support consistent messaging across all media channels
• Provide leadership, coaching and editorial oversight within the broader media team to maintain quality, consistency and performance

About you

• Exceptional writing ability, translating complex ideas into clear, compelling and influential content across a range of media channels
• Significant experience in crisis communication, confident in navigating sensitive issues, responding rapidly and safeguarding organisational reputation during challenging moments
• Highly adept at working with senior executives, bringing credibility, confidence and the judgement required to provide clear, well‑balanced advice under pressure
• Highly skilled in stakeholder communication, negotiation and problem‑solving
• Experience developing integrated media or communications strategies within complex, multi‑faceted organisations, balancing competing priorities, perspectives and governance requirements
• Calm, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities without compromising quality

Important application requirement

Candidates MUST upload a cover letter with two paragraphs that:

Highlight your ability to produce clear, compelling written communication on complex topics. Provide an example of how you have managed a sensitive or high‑pressure media situation involving senior stakeholders.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

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

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 include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through 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.

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. 

If you are a current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, 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 Kristy Fairweather, Recruitment Operations, by email to kristy.fairweather@sydney.edu.au

© The University of Sydney

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

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this role.

Applications Close

Monday 16 March 2026 11:59 PM