ABOUT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF FOUNDATION

Are you purpose driven and wanting to make a difference? Do you love working with smart and passionate people who are dedicated to creating impact for Australia’s most recognisable natural wonder? Do you long to work in a flexible and supportive workplace? We have the role for you!

At the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, we think big. We know the threats to coral reefs are too complex for one person or one solution to solve. That’s why we built a collaborative organisation to raise funds, invest in innovative ideas and design real-world, scalable conservation programs. We work in close partnership with communities, scientists, businesses and governments to do our work, in Australia and in the Pacific.

Our mission is to inspire action and wonder for coral reefs.

We collaborate with more than 600 dedicated partners on conservation projects in Australia and the Pacific. Our work is broad, but falls under our two overarching pillars: coral reef restoration, and island and coastal restoration. This is the critical decade for the world’s reefs. We cannot achieve our mission alone.

You could be the right fit for our team.

BENEFITS

Flexible working arrangements

Birthday Leave & recharge days

Paid parental leave for permanent roles

Additional leave offered over the Christmas break

Cultural, Religious and Ceremonial leave

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Opportunities to visit the Reef and volunteer within our programs

Option to purchase additional leave

Tailored induction program

Salary Packaging (Please note, the Foundation is an environmental charity and as such employees are not exempt from FBT for salary packaging for some expenses, therefore the staff member will be required to pay the FBT on the relevant expenses they chose to package)

ABOUT THE ROLE

We’re recruiting four new roles for the communications team to support the delivery of our bold new communications strategy. The organisation has recently undergone a period of significant change, and these roles are key to ensuring we can effectively engage our audiences, build our profile, and tell our story in fresh and impactful ways. This expanded team will bring new energy, skills, and perspectives to help us achieve our ambitions under our 2030 strategy.

The Communications Manager is responsible for delivering high-impact, strategic communications, particularly focused on supporting key programmatic strategic pillars. Reporting to the Communications and Marketing Lead, this role plays a critical part in engaging audiences and stakeholders through compelling storytelling, integrated campaigns, and aligned communications planning.

Working closely with program teams and supporting other Communications and Growth functions, the Communications Manager ensures communications activities are audience-focused and aligned with broader strategic objectives – including advocacy, brand awareness, and fundraising. The role supports the development and implementation of communications plans that drive visibility, support engagement with philanthropic and corporate partners, and showcase the organisation’s global impact and leadership on coral reef conservation.

The Communications Manager will contribute content across digital, media, donor, and stakeholder channels, and will collaborate with internal and external partners to deliver engaging, consistent, and high-quality communications outputs.

Please note we’re seeking two Communications Managers (one permanent and one fixed‑term). When applying, please specify whether you are interested in the permanent position, the fixed‑term position, or would like to be considered for both.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL HAVE

Tertiary qualification in Communications or related field (marine science background is an asset but not essential)

3-5 years professional experience in communication, ideally within the not-for-profit or charity sector.

Proven experience in developing and delivering strategic communications in a purpose-driven, environmental, or global context.

Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a demonstrated ability to tailor content for diverse audiences and channels - while refining and upholding brand voice and messaging to ensure clarity and consistency across all written materials.

Experience collaborating across teams to support communications needs and elevate content quality.

Familiarity with media relations and/or digital communications, including supporting campaigns and content aligned to advocacy and fundraising goals.

Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to translate the importance of the work of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation in a compelling manner (in written and oral form) to our partners.

Relationship builder with the ability to influence and build trust-based relationships across teams and partners.

High energy, maturity, and leadership capabilities with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels.

Demonstrates commercial discipline and consistency through compliance with Foundation policy and process and performance expectations.

JOB LOCATION

Brisbane

OTHER INFORMATION

1 x Permanent (Full-Time)

1 x Fixed-Term (Full-Time)

Flexible work arrangements are available

Salary range is $110,000 - $120,000 plus superannuation

RECONCILIATION

First Nations people are strongly encouraged to apply. The release of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a proud moment in our organisation’s 20-year history. We see this achievement as an honour, a responsibility, and an opportunity. Take a look at our RAP plan here: https://www.barrierreef.org/uploads/GBRF-ReflectRAP.pdf