Senior Manager, Media and Communications

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 Senior Manager, Media and Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and safeguarding Cancer Council Australia’s national voice on cancer control. This position leads the development and execution of a comprehensive media and communications strategy that advances policy and advocacy priorities, strengthens public trust, and reinforces Cancer Council’s position as Australia’s leading authority on cancer prevention, detection, treatment and support.

Operating in a federated environment, the role ensures national alignment across state and territory Cancer Councils, enabling coordinated messaging and consistent positioning across jurisdictions. The Senior Manager, Media and Communications plays a critical advisory role to the Director Cancer Control Campaigns and Communications, and national committee chairs, providing expert guidance on reputation management, stakeholder sensitivity, and emerging risks. The role oversees all proactive and reactive media activity, social media strategy, content development, publications and internal communications. A key focus is anticipating and managing issues before they escalate, while also leading high-profile crisis responses where clarity, speed and judgement are essential.

As a people leader, the Senior Manager, Media and Communications fosters a high-performing, responsive and collaborative communications team, building capability and ensuring the function operates with professionalism, discipline and impact. This role requires the ability to balance long-term strategic positioning with the agility needed to respond to fast-moving media cycles and sensitive public health issues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and lead the national media and communications strategy aligned to organisational priorities
• Provide strategic communications advice to the CEO, executive leadership and national committees
• Oversee proactive and reactive media engagement, social media strategy, publications and internal communications
• Lead issues and crisis communications planning and response
• Protect and enhance Cancer Council Australia’s reputation as the trusted national authority on cancer control
• Coordinate federation-wide communications alignment to ensure national consistency
• Build strong relationships with media, spokespeople, member Cancer Councils and key stakeholders
• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing communications team

About you

You are an accomplished communications leader with significant experience operating at a senior level in media, public affairs or strategic communications. You bring a strong understanding of how national reputation is built, protected and enhanced in complex stakeholder environments. You are confident advising executives and subject matter experts, including during high-pressure or high-profile situations. Your judgement is sound, your messaging is clear and persuasive, and you understand the importance of evidence-based communication in public health and policy contexts.

You have demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated media strategies that deliver measurable impact. You are experienced in issues and crisis communications, with the ability to anticipate risk, manage sensitive narratives and maintain trust with key stakeholders. You are a collaborative leader who can navigate a federated model, influence and build strong relationships across member organisations, committees and external partners. You lead with clarity, integrity and purpose, and are committed to fostering an inclusive, psychologically safe team culture. You bring:

• Extensive experience leading media and communications strategy
• Demonstrated expertise in reputation, issues and crisis management
• Exceptional written, verbal and editorial skills
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capability
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• The ability to manage competing priorities and tight timelines
• 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.

Why work with us?

At Cancer Council Australia, you don’t just join a team, you join a movement. As a non-profit organisation, our mission is to prevent cancer, empower patients, and save lives. You’ll benefit from:

• Salary sacrificing options, maximising your take home pay through generous salary packaging benefits.
• Flexible work arrangements and being part of a collaborative and inclusive team.
• Personal and professional development, with great opportunities to grow your skills