Key job details
Join Australia’s leading cancer charity and help us shape the future of cancer care.
About Cancer Council Australia
Cancer Council Australia is the nation’s leading non-government cancer control organisation, focused on reducing the impact of cancer through research, prevention, and support. We work alongside the community, health professionals, and government to provide trusted information and services to those affected by cancer. With a mission to save lives and create a cancer-free future, Cancer Council offers a purpose-driven workplace where everyone can make a meaningful difference to help improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.
About the role
The Media and Communications Manager will play a pivotal role in delivering proactive and reactive media engagement that help maintain and position Cancer Council Australia’s reputation and policy priorities. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Media and Communications, this role is responsible for monitoring the media and stakeholder landscape, identifying emerging risks and opportunities, and coordinating and developing timely, aligned and evidence-based responses. The position helps shape our proactive communications strategy, including identifying media opportunities, drafting statements, briefing materials and key messages, and supporting designated spokespeople with media training and preparedness.
Working in close partnership with Policy, Legal, Licensing and Marketing teams, the Manager ensures communications are accurate, consistent and aligned to strategic objectives. The role also works collaboratively across the Cancer Council Federation to maintain national consistency and support member organisations. This is a dynamic, fast-paced role requiring strong judgement, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. It suits a confident media professional who is comfortable operating under pressure and thrives in purpose-driven environments
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop proactive and reactive media engagement aligned to policy priorities
- Monitor emerging media, social and stakeholder risks and escalate appropriately
- Create statements, key messages, Q&As and briefing materials for executives and spokespeople
- Ensure messaging consistency and brand integrity across communication channels
- Measure and evaluate media and social performance to inform strategy
- Contribute to building Cancer Council’s profile as the trusted authority on cancer control
About you
You are a media and communications professional with a strong background in media relations. You understand how media narratives evolve and can proactively shape conversations to protect and strengthen organisational reputation. In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your issues response capability, working alongside highly experienced crisis communications leaders.
You have experience preparing executive briefings, media statements and Q&As, and are confident advising senior leaders on communications risks and opportunities. You bring strong analytical capability, using media monitoring and sentiment insights to inform messaging and refine strategy. You are collaborative in your approach and comfortable working across divisions and with external partners to achieve aligned outcomes.
You bring:
- A minimum of five years’ experience in media relations or communications
- Strong experience drafting media materials and advising executives
- Proven ability to build media and stakeholder relationships
- Ability to identify and mitigate organisational and reputation risks
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to operate effectively in a multifaceted, purpose-driven environment
- Alignment with Cancer Council Australia’s mission and values
- Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
Our Culture
Cancer Council Australia is here for all Australians affected by cancer. We actively promote and foster a working environment that values diversity, difference and inclusion. As we strive to achieve our vision of a cancer free future, we welcome and actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, CALD, LGBTQIA+ peoples and people living with a disability.