Communications Specialist in Willoughby

Are you a curious, ambitious communications professional who wants to make an impact and use your skills to communicate issues that matter? Love finding the story in complex issues and turning complicated ideas into compelling communications that connect, engage and influence? Ready for more breadth, ownership and influence across PR, corporate and advocacy communications? Looking for an opportunity to shape how an organisation communicates, broaden your expertise and help build something meaningful?

If you're a talented communications practitioner who loves the craft, thinks beyond the words and brings both the strategic thinking and hands-on skills to deliver, this could be your next move. Heart Talent is delighted to partner with the Australian Water Association (AWA) — the peak body for Australia's water sector — as it enters an exciting new chapter.

With a new five-year strategy and renewed purpose to inspire, connect and transform, AWA is building its influence and impact across the water sector, making this an exciting time to join the organisation.

WHAT’S ON OFFER

• Permanent, full-time role
• Chatswood office
• Hybrid working — 3 days in office/2 days WFH
• Salary packaging benefits to boost take home pay
• Novated leasing for vehicles
• Respected brand in a critical sector
• Shape communications, build capability and broaden your experience

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Building on an exciting growth trajectory and guided by a renewed purpose to inspire, connect and transform, AWA is evolving from a connector of water professionals into a catalyst for system-wide change. This role is an opportunity to shape AWA’s public voice, influence and position in the Australian water sector and contribute to the development of communications and PR capability.

Working across corporate communications, media, PR, advocacy and issues management, you'll help communicate nationally significant issues spanning water, sustainability, climate, infrastructure and the future of communities. You'll bring strategic thinking and exceptional writing skills to translate technical expertise, policy positions and emerging issues into compelling narratives that do more than communicate information — they influence how people think.

Joining a collaborative team of 7, you'll work with senior leaders, policy specialists, technical experts and specialists. You'll have genuine scope to shape communications, help build capability and establish effective ways of working, while broadening your expertise and making a meaningful impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop compelling narratives and key messages that support AWA's organisational, advocacy, media and campaign objectives
• Translate complex technical, policy and organisational information into clear, accurate and engaging communications for diverse audiences
• Write, edit and refine high-quality content including media releases, statements, corporate communications and campaign messaging
• Work with the advocacy & capability team to develop communications that support AWA's advocacy priorities and policy positions
• Develop communications for major organisational initiatives, member engagement and campaigns, including corporate, advocacy and reputation-led social media messaging
• Identify proactive media and PR opportunities, coordinate media activity, monitor coverage and manage media enquiries
• Provide communications advice on positioning, messaging and stakeholder communications
• Develop communications plans, coordinate stakeholder input and specialist external suppliers
• Help strengthen AWA's communications and PR capability, contributing to effective processes, messaging frameworks and ways of working.

ABOUT YOU

You're a confident communications practitioner and exceptional writer who loves the craft of communications — finding the story, shaping compelling narratives and turning complex ideas into clear, engaging and influential communications. Curious, thoughtful and hands-on, you understand the importance of context, audience, positioning and reputation. You bring the confidence to contribute ideas, the judgement to navigate sensitive issues and the practical skills to deliver high-quality work.

We'd love you to bring:

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills
• Ability to find the story, frame issues and develop compelling narratives and key messages
• Ability to translate complex technical, policy and organisational information into clear, accurate and persuasive communications for different audiences
• Practical PR experience, including writing media releases, developing key messages, coordinating media activity and monitoring coverage
• Experience working in an issues-rich environment including sensitive messaging, competing stakeholder interests and reputational considerations
• Strong communications judgement, with the ability to understand a brief, identify the communications challenge and recommend an effective approach
• Intellectual curiosity, strong questioning skills and the confidence to work with subject-matter experts to uncover insights and identify opportunities
• Experience managing external suppliers
• Excellent verbal communication skills, sound judgement and discretion, with the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders and contribute ideas
• A collaborative, adaptable and hands-on approach, with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work at pace.

Exposure to water, infrastructure, utilities or related sectors and/or experience in advocacy, public affairs or issues management will be highly regarded. More important is your ability to quickly understand unfamiliar issues, ask insightful questions and turn complex information into communications that connect, engage and influence.