Senior Manager, Strategic Communications and Engagement

• Full time, fixed term secondment opportunity till 17 March 2028 covering a parental leave vacancy
• Diverse role providing expert executive advice, communications, and professional support to the Vice-Chancellor and President
• Competitive remuneration package plus 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Senior Manager, Strategic Communications and Engagement (the Senior Manager) provides timely expert executive advice, communications, and professional support to the Vice-Chancellor. The Senior Manager is responsible for the management of stakeholder engagement plans, producing reports for governance committees, overseeing correspondence, and ensuring the Vice-Chancellor is appropriately briefed for internal and external engagements.

The Senior Manager will have a lead role in managing relationships with key stakeholders including coordinating external and internal engagement activities on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. This involves working with senior executive stakeholders and a range of internal and external stakeholders to coordinate initiatives.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• develop and implement strategies for the management of the Vice-Chancellor’s internal and external engagement activities
• ensure the Vice-Chancellor is appropriately briefed for all engagements, including coordination with different parties to understand audience expectations and bring all relevant information together for briefing material
• proactively collaborate with colleagues from relevant professional portfolios to support the development of strategic messaging and content for varied communications channels
• work with stakeholders across the executive portfolios to draft standing reports including for the Senate, Academic Board and relevant UE Committees
• manage or contribute to engagement activities such as the Solutionists podcast or social media
• build strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• take a leadership role in the resolution of issues or high-risk communications, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor.

About you

• demonstrated experience in developing and delivering executive briefings in a fast-paced and complex environment
• experience in developing and implementing integrated communications or engagement strategies and plans to meet strategic and business requirements
• experience in issues management and reputational risk communications
• ability to build and manage trusted stakeholder relationships at the senior level
• staff supervision, training, mentoring and performance management experience.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Broni Crear, Recruitment Operations, by email to [email protected]

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Thursday 19 November 2026 11:59 PM