Senior Communications and Engagement Officer

Job Description:

• Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB)
• Full-time (100%), permanent position
• Base salary will be in the range $104,616.68 - $113,920.12 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 7)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

The Senior Communications and Engagement Officer are a creative powerhouse responsible for translating IMB’s groundbreaking research into impactful stories. You will be the architect of our digital presence and the lead coordinator for strategic events, ensuring our message resonates with industry, government, and the community. By blending high-level copywriting with technical design expertise, you will play a critical role in advancing the institute’s reputation and fostering strategic partnerships.

Key responsibilities will include:

Strategic Content & Copywriting

• Develop and execute high-quality, audience-led content across all channels i.e. from feature articles and social media to executive communications, ensuring every message is clear, accurate, and aligns with strategic objectives.

Digital Campaign & Asset Management

• Plan and deliver end to end digital marketing campaigns, utilising Adobe creative suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro) to produce stunning visual assets and leveraging digital platforms to report on performance and engagement.

Event & Relationship Coordination

• Lead the planning and delivery of targeted events that strengthen ties with industry and government, acting as a key liaison to identify proactive engagement opportunities and manage strategic relationships.

Advocacy & Collaboration

• Partner with researchers and UQ staff to develop tools and materials that empower them as advocates for their work, ensuring the IMB’s achievements are showcased effectively to a global audience.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world. Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
• 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
• On campus childcare options
• Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About You

• Degree and/or significant professional experience in marketing and communications.
• Highly skilled in digital marketing with strong copywriting abilities.
• Proven ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Hands‑on experience with EDMs, social media templates and contemporary digital platforms, with proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Able to quickly turn articles or information sources into compelling, audience‑led content.
• A proactive self‑starter who can independently drive marketing strategy and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong initiative, self‑sufficiency and problem‑solving skills.
• Confident communicator with excellent relationship‑building skills and the ability to influence stakeholders effectively.
• Keeps up to date with digital and social trends and understands how to amplify a brand through the right channels and publications.
• Demonstrates genuine interest in how brands work and how to elevate them through thoughtful, well‑executed digital activity.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Jessica McGaw | Manager, Communications & Engagement at j.mcgaw@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close Thursday 12 March at 11.00pm AEST (R-61215).

*Please note applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates may be contacted prior to the job closing date. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.*

Posted: 27/02/2026