Communications Manager

Date: 25 Jul 2025

Site: VCCC (Parkville)

Location:

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Unit: Communications Foundation

Division: Foundation

Department: Communications Foundation

Enterprise Agreement: Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administr

Communications Foundation

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

The Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation is the fundraising arm of Peter Mac. While our internationally recognised cancer researchers have great success securing competitive project grants, these grants rarely fund new innovative projects, or the state-of-the-art technologies and resources needed to undertake these research projects. Funds raised by the Foundation give some of the brightest minds in cancer research the specialised technologies they need to make important new discoveries.

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
Communications Manager
Full-time, Ongoing position reporting into the Head of Communications and Brand.

The Communications Manager will lead the daily operations of the Communications team, driving continuous improvement and ensuring the delivery of compelling, high-quality communications to inspire prospective and existing supporters to give. This role will be responsible for the implementation of communications strategies across all channels ensuring consistent brand application to safeguard and enhance the Foundation's reputation.

You will foster collaboration and share your communications knowledge and experience with your colleagues to provide strategic planning and support that will guide best practice communications. You will proactively look for opportunities to enhance the visibility of the Foundation to connect our community of supporters with the impact of their giving.

The key components of the role are:
• Provide operational leadership to the Communications team with a focus on continuous improvement
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to manage the planning and development of content to maintain and enhance the Foundation brand
• Provide communications support to the Fundraising and Philanthropy programs
• Implement communications tactics to support the Foundation's strategic objectives

Remuneration for this role starts from $120,000 + 5 weeks leave + salary packaging

Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment. Examples of work to support your application are welcome.

For further information about this opportunity, you can contact the Hiring Manager for a confidential discussion.
Hiring Manager: Kristi-Lyn Charter
Contact Number: 03 8559 6774
Email: Kristi-Lyn.Charter@petermac.org using the subject line: Communications Manager recruitment

Peter Mac requires its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this requirement.

Applications close: 11:59PM Sunday 10 August 2025

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Position Summary

The Communications Manager oversees the daily operations of the Communications team, driving continuous improvements in processes and stakeholder collaboration. They implement communication strategies and manage in collaboration with key stakeholders the delivery of content across digital, social, and traditional channels while safeguarding the Foundation’s brand and reputation.

This role supports Fundraising and Philanthropy teams through consistent, impactful messaging to engage and inspire new and existing donors. The Communications Manager drives best practice communications and through strategic planning and operational leadership, plays a key role in enhancing the Foundation’s visibility and engagement with its audiences.

Enterprise Agreement

Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administrative Workers (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021-2025

Classification or Salary Range

HS3

Immunisation Risk Category

Immunisation Category C

Key Relationships

Internal	Head of Communications and Brand Chief Executive Officer Communications team members Head of Philanthropy Head of Fundraising Head of Finance & Operations Foundation Program Managers All Foundation team members Peter Mac staff
External	• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Communications Team • Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre staff • External service providers • Donors • General public and supporters • Peter Mac patients

Skills

Essential Requirements

Experience:

Degree in communications, journalism, marketing or similar
Minimum five years’ experience in a communications/marketing role
Demonstrated management experience of a multidisciplinary team
Extensive experience working across a range of communications preferably in the not-for-profit or fundraising sector
Experience facilitating collaboration across teams
Experience managing reputational risks and handling sensitive communications issues
Proven experience leading the development and implementation of communications tactics across all mediums

Skills:

Strong interpersonal and communications skills
Applies critical thinking • Demonstrated project management skills
Understanding of digital communications
Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Adaptable in responding to changing priorities
Work collaboratively and build effective relationships
Displays initiative
Strong storytelling capabilities - Able to translate information and construct a compelling narrative to suit different audiences
Attention to detail
Good negotiation skills
Good time management skills

Desirable Requirements

Experience with design platforms
Understanding of fundraising approaches and strategies
Proficient in digital tools and platforms

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities	Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators
Operational Leadership and Planning	Management of the day-to-day communications operations including internal and external communications activities. Implement communications strategies and tactics in collaboration with the Head of Communications and Brand. Develop operational plans and budgets. Drive continuous improvement of processes to enhance efficiencies within the Communications team and with internal stakeholders. Contribute to Foundation fundraising goals by monitoring application of brand through key messages and visual styling.
Content Development and Channel Management	Manage content planning and development with the Communications team and in support of the Fundraising and Philanthropy programs initiatives. Provide leadership and support across copywriting, editing, creative briefing, art direction, speech writing, presentations, social media activity, and assist in producing content for all Foundation communications tools as required. Support the management of Foundation-owned digital platforms. Ensure there is a cohesive approach to digital communications across the Foundation. Support the management of reporting/analytics of Foundation-owned communications channels to test and review communications tactics to enhance results. Execute the Foundation’s Content Strategy and identify opportunities to review and develop the strategy further.
Maintaining Brand and Reputation	Ensure ensuring consistent application of visual identity, tone of voice, and key messaging across all communications and stakeholder touchpoints. Maintains Peter Mac and the Foundation’s reputation – oversees responses to social media and mitigates any potential risk. Maintain the Foundation’s digital donor recognition installation. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to increase the Foundation’s visibility.

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

Key Accountabilities	Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators
Stakeholder and media relations	Proactive relationship management with key internal and external stakeholders Ensure the Communications team is meeting the communications support needs of the Fundraising and Philanthropy teams. Manage and coordinate media opportunities for the Foundation in collaboration with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s media team.
Other duties	Understands and complies with all relevant legislation and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation policies, procedures and legislative requirements. Attends, participates and contributes to relevant professional development and training opportunities Support the fundraising team during functions or events if/when required. All relevant supplier due diligence checks completed and actioned. Undertake other duties, which are appropriate to the level of the position.

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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.