About the HSU The Health Services Union NSW/ACT/QLD represents more than 56,000 members working across health, aged care, disability, paramedic and ambulance services.

We use our collective power to improve pay, job security and working conditions for our members and to advance their industrial, social and political interests.

With approximately 127 employees, the HSU is a growing, values-driven organisation supporting workers across NSW, the ACT and Queensland.

We are seeking an experienced communications leader to lead our Communications Team, provide high-level communications advice to organisational leaders and help shape how the HSU communicates with members, stakeholders and the broader community.

About the prospect The HSU is seeking a full-time Communications Team Manager based at our Sydney CBD Head Office.

Reporting directly to the Secretary, the Communications Team Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the Communications Team and maintaining oversight of communications across the HSU.

The role translates executive and organisational priorities into coordinated communications activity, provides trusted advice to the Secretary and senior leaders, and supports Communications Advisers working directly with operational divisions.

This is a hands-on leadership role. In addition to leading people, setting priorities and overseeing quality and delivery, the Manager will retain an individual communications workload and take responsibility for significant organisational communications and priority campaigns.

The role would suit an experienced communications professional who combines strong strategic judgement with practical delivery capability and is confident operating in a complex, fast-moving and stakeholder-driven environments

Key accountabilities

- In this role, you will:
- lead the day-to-day operation of the Communications Team, including setting priorities, allocating work and overseeing delivery;
- maintain oversight of communications across the HSU to ensure activity is coordinated, consistent and aligned with organisational priorities;
- provide high-level communications advice to the Secretary and organisational leaders;
- translate executive priorities into communication strategies, key messages and coordinated team activity;

- lead,



support and develop Communications Advisers, including providing direction, feedback and accountability;
- support Advisers in their partnerships with operational divisions and ensure divisional communications align with broader HSU priorities;
- develop and guide communication strategies for significant campaigns, organisational initiatives and emerging issues;

- oversee the quality, messaging, accessibility and brand standards of Communications Team outputs;
- produce and review written, digital, visual, multimedia and print communications where required; and
- use communications performance, stakeholder feedback and delivery outcomes to improve the effectiveness of the function.

What success looks like Success in this role will mean:

- communication activity across the HSU is coordinated and aligned with organisational priorities;
- the Secretary and organisational leaders receive timely, practical and high-quality communications advice;
- the Communications Team has clear priorities, workloads and expectations;
- Communications Advisers are well supported in their work with operational divisions;
- significant communications and campaigns are planned early and delivered effectively;
- communication outputs are accurate, audience-focused and consistent with HSU messaging and standards; and
- the Communications function continues to improve its effectiveness, responsiveness and strategic contribution.

Skills and experience

- The successful applicant will have:
- substantial experience in a broad communications role, including planning, coordinating and delivering communications across multiple channels and audiences;
- demonstrated experience providing communications advice to senior leaders and translating organisational or campaign objectives into effective communication strategies and activity;
- demonstrated experience leading or coordinating a communications,



media, creative or similar team, including managing priorities, workloads and delivery;
- strong writing, editing and editorial judgement;
- strong digital communications capability and sound understanding of visual and multimedia communications;
- the ability to exercise sound judgement in complex, sensitive or fast-moving situations;
- strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across different levels of an organisation; and
- the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality and delivery.

The following are considered desirable:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, media, design or a related discipline.
- Formal people management experience, including performance development, workload management and routine employee administration.
- Experience in a union, membership-based, advocacy, political, government or not-for-profit environment.
- Experience supporting organising, industrial, advocacy or membership campaigns.

Location This position is based at the HSU Head Office in Sydney CBD. The role is predominantly office-based, with occasional travel and work outside ordinary hours where required.

Remuneration

- $118,675 + 12% (12.5% for Women) Employee Superannuation Contributions.

Employee perks

- Attractive employment conditions, including access to an RDO system, Religious Leave, Study Leave, Reproductive Health and Wellbeing Leave, Birthday Leave and Travel to Work Payments.
- Health and wellbeing initiatives.
- Access to staff training and development funding.
- Generous salary packaging arrangements.
- The opportunity to contribute to an organisation representing and supporting health and care workers across NSW, ACT and Queensland.

How to apply

Please submit

- your resume; and
- a cover letter addressing the Skills and Experience

Applications should be sent to Jack Nichols at [email protected]. Applications close: COB Tuesday, 22 September 2026.

Communications Team Manager

HSU NSW/ACT/QLD

HSU NSW/ACT/QLD Job posted on: September 14, 2026

Applications close: COB Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Supporting Documents: Communications Team Manager

📌 Communications Team Manager (Sydney)
🏢 Australian Council Of Trade Unions (Actu)
📍 Sydney