ASO7 Senior Communications Advisor

Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference: 706695
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us:

The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.

Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.

The Office is tasked with bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmentally vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll-out of universal 3-year-old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher-led, play-based early learning before school.

Reporting to the Communications and Media Lead, the Senior Communications Advisor provides expert communications advice, develops high-quality content, and delivers strategic communications, media and marketing plans to support the implementation of South Australia's Flying Start early childhood reforms.

The role will work with internal stakeholders to identify and set communications objectives and priorities, and develop and implement subsequent communications plans, resources and collateral. The role will provide end-to-end high-quality communications advice, service and support across a range of internal and external communications channels.

This role will understand audience motivation and work collaboratively with the broader Communications and Engagement team, ensuring alignment of the OECD's broader communications and engagement framework across all channels.

Working within a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment, the position needs to be adaptable and able to work across multiple projects, priorities and business areas efficiently and effectively, under broad direction.

• Developing high-level strategic proactive media and social media plans for significant agency projects and politically sensitive initiatives.
• Developing, writing, editing and distributing compelling, clear and succinct proactive and reactive communications and media content tailored to the audience and communication channel.
• Act as a trusted business partner to internal teams, providing expert communications advice and creating plans to support key programs and initiatives to achieve goals and objectives.
• Provide a proactive approach to media and social media issues through actively monitoring media reports to advise of emerging issues, identifying opportunities and developing strategies to deliver positive messages and contributing to the development of the Office's media and social media policy, guidelines and procedures.

You will bring exceptional communication skills with your extensive experience developing, implementing and evaluating strategic communications strategies that set clear, measurable objectives.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings:

• Proven experience in project management (planning, developing and administering projects to successful outcomes).
• Proven capability in stakeholder engagement (demonstrated ability to consult, liaise, collaborate and negotiate to understand needs and requirements and balance competing demands to deliver outcomes).
• Ability to be adaptable, flexible and embracing of innovation.
• Ability to manage complex and competing priorities and develop effective resolutions both individually and via working with others.

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector
• Work with Communications and Engagement team, Content producers, Senior Directorate and Divisional staff as well as other government departments, state and Commonwealth.
• Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia's children and families.
• Access to flexible working arrangements.

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the attached position description.

ASO7 - $108,109 - $116,864 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.

This is a 12-month maternity leave backfill position.

Enquiries can be directed to

For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.

Applications close: 02/11/:45 PM

• Position Description - ASO7 Senior Communications Advisor.pdf
• Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.