Strategic Communications and Engagement Manager

Here is your chance to help a rapidly scaling, mission-driven organisation turn complex research and innovation into influence, investment and impact. Hope & Glory is delighted to be assisting our client with this appointment.

About the organisation

Our client is an ambitious not-for-profit working across research, health, government, philanthropy and industry, informed by lived experience. It is growing rapidly and challenging established approaches to improve outcomes in its field.

With a national remit and a complex network of stakeholders, it brings people and expertise together to advance research and translate innovation into practical impact. You'll join a credible, mission-driven organisation with a start-up mindset, where new ideas can shape how it works and what it achieves.

The opportunity

Reporting to the CEO, you'll shape the organisation's voice, profile and influence as it grows. The focus is on engaging organisations and decision-makers through strategic positioning, thought leadership, advocacy and partnership development.

You'll bring forward opportunities, build new approaches and deliver the work yourself. That means developing a clear strategy, finding compelling stories in complex research and helping turn them into stronger relationships, support and investment.

Your responsibilities will include (but not be limited to):

- Developing a communications and engagement strategy that supports growth, national leadership and measurable outcomes
- Building a proactive PR program that turns research funding, partnerships and lived-experience stories into credible media opportunities, building awareness, influence and demonstrable value for funders and partners
- Translating complex research and innovation into credible messages that show why the work matters to partners, funders and decision-makers
- Building thought leadership and advocacy through proactive media engagement, speeches and stakeholder communications
- Identifying opportunities to develop strategic partnerships and bring influential stakeholders together around shared priorities
- Advising the CEO and preparing spokespeople to communicate confidently on complex or sensitive issues
- Testing new tools, technology and channels to improve delivery and extend the organisation’s reach
- Guiding a part-time digital content colleague while remaining hands-on with writing, content and delivery.

About the organisation

Our client is an ambitious not-for-profit working across research, health, government, philanthropy and industry, informed by lived experience.



It is growing rapidly and challenging established approaches to improve outcomes in its field.

With a national remit and a complex network of stakeholders, it brings people and expertise together to advance research and translate innovation into practical impact. You'll join a credible, mission-driven organisation with a start-up mindset, where new ideas can shape how it works and what it achieves.

The opportunity

Reporting to the CEO, you'll shape the organisation's voice, profile and influence as it grows. The focus is on engaging organisations and decision-makers through strategic positioning, thought leadership, advocacy and partnership development.

You'll bring forward opportunities, build new approaches and deliver the work yourself. That means developing a clear strategy, finding compelling stories in complex research and helping turn them into stronger relationships, support and investment.

Your responsibilities will include (but not be limited to):

- Developing a communications and engagement strategy that supports growth, national leadership and measurable outcomes
- Building a proactive PR program that turns research funding, partnerships and lived-experience stories into credible media opportunities, building awareness, influence and demonstrable value for funders and partners
- Translating complex research and innovation into credible messages that show why the work matters to partners, funders and decision-makers
- Building thought leadership and advocacy through proactive media engagement, speeches and stakeholder communications
- Identifying opportunities to develop strategic partnerships and bring influential stakeholders together around shared priorities
- Advising the CEO and preparing spokespeople to communicate confidently on complex or sensitive issues
- Testing new tools, technology and channels to improve delivery and extend the organisation’s reach
- Guiding a part time digital content colleague while remaining hands-on with writing, content and delivery.

You'll work with people who bring different expertise, perspectives and priorities, so the ability to listen carefully, ask good questions and build trust will matter. You'll also need to make considered decisions about what to communicate, to whom and when.

This is anticipated as a full-time,



ongoing role based in Melbourne, with hybrid working arrangements (at employer’s discretion). The salary is up to $130,000 + superannuation, with salary packaging of up to $15,900 available.

About you

You're an experienced communications qualified who enjoys building something and seeing it grow. You combine strong writing and editorial judgement with the ability to influence, develop relationships and spot opportunities that advance an organisation’s ambitions.

You'll be comfortable with pace and ambiguity, setting priorities as circumstances change and taking an idea through to delivery. You bring high energy, considered recommendations, curiosity and the confidence to try a fresh approach, while recognising when to seek input.

You will bring:

- Experience shaping strategic positioning, stakeholder engagement and communications, ideally in health, research or the not-for-profit sector
- A record of personally delivering communications plans, persuasive content and proactive media activity
- The ability to translate complex work accurately and connect it to the interests of partners, funders and policymakers
- Confidence advising senior leaders and building trust across organisations with different perspectives and priorities
- An entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities and solving problems, with sound judgement about where to focus effort
- An interest in using new tools and technology thoughtfully to improve how you work.

This chance will appeal to someone excited by innovation and the chance to help a growing organisation develop its national voice and influence. You'll work closely with leadership and colleagues, contributing ideas, listening carefully and following through.

All applicants must have full Australian work rights. The preferred candidate(s) will be subject to background checks.

By applying, you accept Hope & Glory's privacy statement, available at You also warrant that your CV is an accurate record of your employment history.

While every effort has been made to accurately describe the opportunity, this advertisement should be treated as a guide only.

As the retained recruitment partner on this assignment, all third-party and direct applications will be forwarded to Hope & Glory for assessment.

Hope & Glory. Dream big, achieve bigger. Your talent partner for marketing, media and communications.

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📌 Strategic Communications and Engagement Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Hope & Glory
📍 Melbourne