Australian Food Network & Communications Manager

Sustain: The Australian Food Network

- 15-month parental leave cover
- Part-time (0.8 FTE)
- Preston / Hybrid

Help build a stronger, more connected food systems movement across Australia.

Are you passionate about food systems transformation, building meaningful connections and using communications to drive positive change?

Sustain: The Australian Food Network is looking for an experienced and strategic Australian Food Network & Communications Manager to lead our network facilitation and communications portfolios during a 12-month parental leave cover.

Sustain exists to champion the transition to healthy, equitable, resilient and sustainable food systems. We empower people, governments and organisations with the knowledge, tools and connections they need to become agents of food system transformation.

As a national food systems organisation, we work across three strategic pillars: Capacity Building, Network Facilitation and Advocacy. We bring together communities, government, researchers, public health organisations and civil society to strengthen collaboration and turn food systems knowledge into practical action.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leadership role in strengthening Australia's food systems movement.

Working closely with the Executive Director and leadership team, you will lead the growth and activation of the Australian Food Network (AFN) - a national platform connecting food systems changemakers to share knowledge, build relationships and drive collective action.

You’ll also lead Sustain's organisational communications strategy, ensuring our work, ideas and impact reach the people and organisations who can help create change.

The role combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You’ll oversee key projects, develop partnerships, facilitate workshops and webinars, manage communications channels and support a small, collaborative team. You’ll also directly manage our Communications & AFN Officer.

Key responsibilities include:

- Supervise and support the Communications & AFN Officer, including work planning, professional development and performance reviews.
- Contribute to organisational strategy, planning and operational decision-making as part of Sustain's leadership team.




- Oversee workflows and systems across communications, membership administration, events and organisational reporting.

2. Australian Food Network Growth & Facilitation

- Lead the growth and activation of the Australian Food Network (AFN), developing membership, retention and engagement strategies that support long-term sustainability.
- Build strategic relationships across the food systems sector, including with local governments, public health organisations and philanthropic partners.
- Convene and facilitate webinars, events and member engagement activities that foster connection, collaboration and collective action.

3. Project Management

- Lead key Network Facilitation projects, including VicHealth's Local Partnerships for Food First and Tripple Foundation's Communities in Power: Taking Back Our Food System .
- Oversee project planning and delivery, including budgets, reporting, stakeholder relationships, workshops, resource development and Communities of Practice.

4. Strategic Communications

- Lead the development and implementation of Sustain's communications strategy across newsletters, social media, digital campaigns, website content and public storytelling.
- Identify opportunities to amplify Sustain's work, partnerships and sector leadership, building relationships with media and key collaborators.
- Develop communications plans for campaigns, events and organisational initiatives, and monitor impact to support continuous improvement.

See the attached Position Description for a full list of responsibilities.

About you

You're a strategic and creative thinker who enjoys bringing people together, building relationships and turning big ideas into meaningful action. You're equally comfortable developing a strategy and rolling up your sleeves to make things happen.

We're looking for someone with:

- Experience leading stakeholder engagement, community development or network facilitation initiatives




- Strong background in managing projects, workflows and competing priorities in dynamic environments
- Experience with event management and designing and facilitating workshops and webinars
- Strong relationship-building and partnership development skills
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications, engagement or membership strategies
- Experience managing digital communications including newsletters, social media, websites and online campaigns
- Strong written, verbal and visual communication skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly
- Demonstrated leadership and team management experience
- Experience using communications and digital engagement platforms including Mailchimp, Canva, social media scheduling tools and CRM systems
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams while managing projects independently
- Tertiary qualification in communications, marketing, public relations, community development, social sciences or related fields
- Strong commitment to social and ecological justice and interest in food systems transformation

We'd love it if you also have:

- Experience working in the not-for-profit, public health, sustainability or food systems sectors
- Experience developing Communities of Practice or membership-based engagement initiatives
- Familiarity with impact measurement and communications analytics
- Experience with website development or management
- Familiarity with food policy, systems change or advocacy campaigns
- Experience using Airtable or similar CRM/project management systems

Why work with Sustain?

We're a small, passionate organisation where your work will contribute directly to strengthening Australia's food systems and supporting a growing national network of changemakers.

We offer:

- Part-time position (0.8 FTE)
- 15-month contract
- Salary packaging of up to $15,900 per year
- Hybrid work arrangements, with a mix of working from home and our office in Preston, Melbourne
- Flexible working arrangements where possible
- A supportive and team-oriented team committed to creating positive social and environmental change

You’ll need to be available to attend occasional in-person meetings and events in Melbourne.

- $49 per hour + salary packaging available

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📌 Australian Food Network & Communications Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Australian Food Network
📍 Melbourne