The Opportunity

Established in January 2026, the WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre envisions a future where all kids with cancer survive and thrive, through a collaboration integrating the clinical excellence delivered at Perth Children's Hospital and the research expertise of The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia.

The Communications Specialist will lead the strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and reputation-building activities for the Centre. The role is responsible for positioning the Centre as a national and international leader in integrated childhood cancer research and clinical care through communications, stakeholder engagement and advocacy across research, clinical, and community settings.

In this role, you will shape and lead the Centre’s communications and engagement approach, partnering with the Centre’s Communications Working Group, researchers, clinicians, funders, families and community stakeholders to advance the Centre’s strategic priorities, strengthen its profile and influence, and support its vision.

The Communications Specialist will be an equally shared position with the Child and Adolescent Health Service, where you will hold an Honorary appointment. You will work across key partners for the benefit of the Centre, with a critical aspect of the role being liaison with the Centre’s partners to ensure communications are aligned.

Key responsibilities:

- Finalise and implement a comprehensive communications and engagement strategy.
- Develop and maintain an ongoing communications plan and implement it across a range of mediums e.g. website, social media, reports and newsletters.
- Maintain the Centre’s branding, brand assets, imagery, and guidelines and coordinate usage across partners.
- Lead media opportunities including drafting of media releases and coordinating media spokespeople and media events, in collaboration with The Kids, CAHS, and other key partner media teams.
- Manage complex internal and external stakeholder relationships across research, clinical and partner organisations.
- Ensure partner, community, children and family priorities are reflected in communications activities.

Based within Perth Children’s Hospital in Nedlands, this part-time (0.8 FTE) position will be offered on a permanent basis.



About You The successful candidate will hold a degree in Communications (preferably Science Communication), Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field, or have equivalent demonstrated experience. You will also demonstrate:

- Experience developing and implementing strategic communications and stakeholder engagement strategies and plans, preferably in a health, medical research, science or not-for-profit setting.
- Ability to communicate complex scientific, clinical and technical information to engage diverse audiences.
- Ability to understand audience requirements and develop targeted and appropriate communication plans to meet Centre objectives.
- Highly developed stakeholder relations skills influencing senior leaders and stakeholders across complex internal and external environments.

At The Kids Research Institute Australia, we are committed to building a workplace culture that reflects the communities we serve. We actively recruit support and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, people of all ages, and those with diverse lived experiences. We also provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you meet many, but not all, of the role requirements, we encourage you to apply. We also welcome you to mention any career breaks in your cover letter to help us understand your journey.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in how we:

- Support staff-led inclusion and allyship groups.
- Offer flexible work practices that recognise different needs and life stages.
- Provide training, development and mentoring opportunities to increase inclusive leadership and create an environment where all staff can thrive.
- Partner with communities to strengthen cultural awareness and belonging.




- Ensure adjustments and accessible practices are available for diverse community groups.
- We continually strive to measure our progress and improve where we can.

Alongside our inclusive culture, you’ll enjoy:

- Extra annual leave at Christmas and Easter.
- Salary packaging and entertainment benefits.
- Health and wellbeing programs with weekly events.
- Flexible and hybrid working options.
- Recognition and professional development opportunities, including LinkedIn Learning.
- Modern offices with sit-to-stand desks and end-of-trip facilities.
- Staff discounts on travel, IT, stationery, and access to corporate health insurance.

How to apply If this role feels like the right fit and an exciting new opportunity for you, please click on 'Apply Now' to visit our Career Site, view the , and submit your application.

Please include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) that specifically addresses the skills and experience outlined in the “About You” section.

Applications will only be accepted through our career portal. If you are experiencing technical difficulties or require reasonable accommodations in completing your application, please contact [email protected].

Click here for the

Contact Name: Emma Stone

Contact Email: [email protected]

Closing Date: 19/11/2026 - We reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date.

The Kids Research Institute Australia is committed to being champions of gender equity, diversity, and inclusivity. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, and cultures, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities and people living with disability. As such we are a proud Bronze award recipient of the first Australian Athena Swan Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot program.

We acknowledge that when working in environments which contribute to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, it is imperative that Aboriginal people are at the forefront of this work. We have launched the Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Strategy to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and researchers employed in the Institute who provide guidance and support in our work in Aboriginal health.

📌 Communications Specialist (Nedlands)
🏢 The Kids Research Institute Australia
📍 Nedlands