Help shape the voice of a trusted national organisation

At the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO), our vision is for a fair and accessible communications market for Australia. Every year, we help thousands of consumers and small businesses resolve complaints with their phone and internet providers, while using our insights to drive industry improvement.

We're looking for an experienced communications leader to manage our Media and External Communications function and help strengthen the TIO's reputation, influence and public profile.

Reporting to the Head of Media, Outreach and Communications, you'll lead a small, high-performing team responsible for media relations, external communications, digital content, campaigns and reputation management. You'll provide strategic advice to executives, manage high-profile issues, and ensure our communications are clear, accessible and impactful.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys both strategic leadership and hands-on delivery in a fast-paced environment where the quality of communication directly supports trust, transparency and fairness.

What you will do:

As Media and External Communications Manager, you will:

Lead and develop the team

- Lead, coach and develop a team of communications professionals.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing and continuously improving team culture.
- Set priorities, manage resources and ensure delivery of key communications initiatives.

Drive external communications and reputation

- Develop and deliver integrated media and external communications strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
- Provide strategic communications advice to senior leaders and subject matter experts.
- Strengthen awareness and understanding of the TIO's role, services and impact among external audiences.
- Ensure communications are clear, accessible, engaging and aligned with the organisation's brand and values.





Manage media and issues

- Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, including media releases, statements, spokesperson preparation and media enquiries.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with journalists, industry stakeholders and communications partners.
- Manage reputational risks and coordinate issues and crisis communications responses when required.

Deliver digital content and campaigns

- Oversee content and channel strategies across digital and social media platforms.
- Lead external campaigns that support organisational priorities and stakeholder engagement objectives.
- Use data and insights to evaluate performance and continuously improve communications outcomes.

Support organisational influence and engagement

- Contribute to executive communications, speeches, presentations and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the TIO's profile and influence across industry, government, consumer and community audiences.
- Work closely with teams across the organisation to ensure communications support strategic goals and business outcomes.

What You Bring: You are a strategic communications leader who can confidently move between big-picture thinking and day-to-day delivery.

You'll bring

- Demonstrated experience leading and developing communications teams.
- Significant experience in media, public relations, communications or stakeholder engagement roles.
- Experience developing and delivering communication strategies,



campaigns and digital content programs.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence and build trusted relationships at all levels.
- Strong media relations and issues management experience, including crisis communications.
- Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and in plain language.
- Excellent judgement, political awareness and decision-making skills.
- Experience using data, insights and evaluation to measure communication effectiveness and inform future activity.
- Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Experience in a consumer-focused, regulatory, member-based, public sector or not-for-profit environment will be highly regarded. Why join us?

At the TIO, you'll be part of an organisation that exists to deliver fair outcomes for consumers and small businesses while driving positive change across Australia's communications sector.

We offer:

- A flexible hybrid work workplace.
- A supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
- Opportunities to lead meaningful, high-profile communications work.
- Professional development and career growth opportunities.
- The chance to contribute to an organisation that makes a real difference to the community.

Our values of Fairness, Integrity, Excellence and Collaboration guide everything we do. Ready to apply?

Please submit your resume together with a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and the experience you would bring. If you have any questions regarding this role, please email [email protected].

Applications close Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 11:59pm (AEST)****. Please note, applications may close prior to the deadline.

For more information about the TIO, visit www.tio.com.au.

📌 Media and External Communications Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
📍 Melbourne