The North Coast Region is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Communications Advisor to manage and lead communication and engagement activities for transport projects in the region. This pivotal role serves as the primary point of contact for a range of projects, requiring the advisor to provide strategic communication solutions, manage stakeholder relationships, and deliver communication strategies that align with the region's transport goals and priorities.
As a Senior Communications Advisor, you will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies that are inclusive, innovative, and effective in promoting public engagement on transport initiatives. You will oversee communication efforts across multiple projects, ensuring that they meet the needs of stakeholders, address potential concerns, and align with government objectives.
This role involves managing a range of activities, including drafting executive correspondence, media relations, public affairs, and community engagement initiatives. You will play a critical role in maintaining strong, productive relationships with both internal teams and external stakeholders, providing expert advice on communication strategies, and ensuring that complex information is translated into clear, accessible messages for a variety of audiences.
You will work closely with project teams, external contractors, and consultants to coordinate communication efforts across all stages of infrastructure and transport planning. You will also be responsible for identifying reputational risks, developing response strategies, and providing on-the-ground support during key events like public information sessions and community consultations. Additionally, you will monitor the political landscape to ensure that communication efforts align with current government priorities while maintaining impartiality.
This is a senior-level role requiring strong communication skills, political awareness, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities. You will need to demonstrate experience in stakeholder engagement, managing complex relationships, and developing communication strategies in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage communication activities: Develop and implement complex stakeholder engagement strategies, executive correspondence, and media plans to ensure the timely delivery of communication activities.
- Create communication strategies: Design and execute innovative communication strategies for various projects, ensuring alignment with project goals, community needs, and government objectives.
- Develop materials: Produce communication materials across multiple platforms including social media, websites, public-facing advertising, and online engagement platforms.
- Stakeholder engagement: Manage and cultivate relationships with diverse stakeholders, addressing concerns and seeking opportunities for collaboration.
- Media relations: Identify media opportunities, develop proactive media strategies, and manage media inquiries to enhance project visibility and address public concerns.
- Event support: Provide on-the-ground support during public engagement events such as information sessions and community consultations.
- Risk management: Monitor reputational risks and emerging issues, developing response strategies to mitigate risks and maintain public trust.
- Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams, contractors, and consultants to ensure cohesive communication strategies are implemented across projects.
Key Challenges:
- Simplifying complex information: Translating complex technical or planning information into accessible content for various audiences.
- Managing conflicting priorities: Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, often with competing interests, while ensuring effective and positive engagement.
- Navigating time-sensitive issues: Responding rapidly to emerging concerns and managing urgent issues while maintaining a high level of communication effectiveness.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Stakeholder Engagement: At least 5 years of experience in community-focused stakeholder engagement, with a proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyze complex issues and develop strategies to deliver mutually beneficial solutions.
- Multitasking: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities under tight deadlines.
- Communication Skills: Outstanding verbal, written, and active listening skills.
- Flexibility: Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends when required.
- Political Awareness: Understanding of political environments and government priorities, with the ability to maintain impartiality while navigating sensitive issues.
Desirable Qualifications/Experience:
- Tertiary Qualifications: Preferably in communications, public relations, or a related field.
- Knowledge of Public Sector Processes: Understanding of public sector processes and regulatory frameworks is beneficial.
- Industry Experience: Experience within the infrastructure, construction, or similar industries is highly regarded.
- Certifications: IAP2 certification or willingness to pursue certification at your own cost.
- Infrastructure Knowledge: Experience working on major infrastructure projects, particularly in the transport or civil engineering sectors, will be considered an advantage.
At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.
...
