The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Limited (AHCSA) is the peak body representing Aboriginal community-controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia at state and national levels.

Our primary role is to be the ‘health voice’ for all Aboriginal people in South Australia. We achieve this by advocating for the community and supporting workers through our Member Services with appropriate Aboriginal health programs based on a holistic perspective of health.

Broad purpose and characteristics of the position

The Manager, Communications is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing AHCSA’s communications, marketing, and public relations efforts to promote both AHCSA and the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health (ACCH) sector. This includes developing and executing high-level communication strategies, managing media relations, and creating timely, impactful, and culturally sensitive content that aligns with sector goals and values.

The Manager also oversees internal communications within AHCSA and between AHCSA and Member Services, fostering a strong sense of connection. This ensures that staff remain informed, engaged, and aware of the organisation’s goals, activities, and the achievements and priorities of the ACCH sector.

A key part of the Manager’s role is to enhance the visibility, credibility, and impact of the ACCH sector, ensuring its work is well-represented and understood by key audiences. The Manager contributes to building AHCSA’s profile by curating and sharing engaging, timely, and culturally appropriate content across multiple communication platforms. This positions the organisation as a strong, responsive peak body for the ACCH sector, trusted by stakeholders, respected by the community, and recognized for its significant contributions to Aboriginal health.

The Manager also builds and maintains strong, positive relationships with key stakeholders, including Member Services, government agencies, community groups, and external partners, to further the interests of the ACCH sector.

Additionally, the Manager provides tailored communications support to meet the unique needs of AHCSA’s Member Services, as required.

The Manager reports to and is accountable to the Deputy CEO / General Manager, Sector Development. The position manages a small team of communications professionals who are required to work collaboratively across AHCSA to support staff with day-to-day communications requirements, and with Member Services to support sector communications.

The position works under limited direction and has management responsibility for the delivery of communications functions across AHCSA, in line with agreed frameworks, policies, procedures and other requirements.

Where required, the Manager also works collaboratively with Member Services to provide information and guidance on finance and procurement matters, and to deliver tailored support services.

Special conditions

Requires the ability to travel intra-state and interstate, including overnight absences.

National Police Certificate required.

Out of hours work may be required.

Statement of Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership, Communication Planning and Performance: Providing leadership for the development and execution of strategic communication activities to support the promotion of key priorities and initiatives within the ACCH sector.

Promotion and Advocacy: Developing connections with key sector stakeholders and building internal capacity to support sector promotion and advocacy.

Media Leadership: Developing and executing comprehensive media strategies to ensure AHCSA and the ACCH sector are effectively represented publicly, and building internal capability to support this.

Content Strategy and Development: Creating engaging content to raise awareness of AHCSA and ACCH sector priorities, goals, activities and achievements.

Monitoring and Reporting: Monitoring the impact of communications efforts and opportunities to optimise efforts to improve effectiveness and engagement.

Tailored Support for Member Services: Managing the provision of tailored communications service support to Member Services, as required.

Team Leadership: Fostering a productive and supportive environment and providing leadership for Communications Team members.

Essential Experience

Experience leading communications and media strategies in non-government or government organisations, aligning with strategic messaging, targeting key audiences and stakeholders.

Experience developing communications resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs or organisations.

Experience in developing content for campaigns, media releases, online platforms, social media, videos and other resources.

Experience in media relations and developing relationships with key media stakeholders.

Experience in the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite or other graphic software, WordPress, and email marketing and campaign software (e.g. MailChimp).

Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Media, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Marketing or Journalism.

Desirable Experience

Experience developing communications and media strategies for member-based organisations.

Experience working in the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector.

Experience in communication for health promotion.

Experience in rural and remote Aboriginal community engagements.

What we offer

The opportunity to join the peak body representing Aboriginal community-controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia

Encourages work/life balance

An inclusive and diverse workplace

Great salary package and benefits

Generous leave provisions

Special Conditions

Out of normal hours work may be required.

National Police Certificate is required.

Working with Children Screening required.

Conditions of Employment

A valid National Police Certificate will be required before the successful applicant can commence in this position.

Please note that you may be required to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccinations.

A valid Driver’s License is required

How to apply

Please apply via SEEK.

To be considered for the role you are required to submit a Resume and Suitability Statement of no more than 5 pages.

The Suitability Statement has to address the Statement of Key Responsibilities of the Job and Person Specification. Only applications that have addressed the Statement of Key Responsibilities will be considered.

Please contact Julian Snook, Human Resource Manager at [email protected] to request a copy of the Job and Person Specification or visit our webpage where it can be found under the Careers Tab - https://ahcsa.org.au/careers/careers.

Please note, late applications will not be accepted and no agencies please

Closing Date for applications: 10th May 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply

This position may be filled prior to the closing date of the Advertisement.