Head of Communications and Brand

Date: 28 Aug 2025

Site: VCCC (Parkville)

Location:

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Unit: Chief Executive Foundation

Division: Foundation

Department: Chief Executive Foundation

Enterprise Agreement: Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administr

Chief Executive 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
Head of Communications and Brand
Fixed-term parental leave cover reporting into the Chief Executive Officer.

The Head of Communications and Brand is responsible for strengthening and protecting the reputation of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, ensuring its brand inspires trust, engagement, and philanthropic support. Leading a talented Communications team, this role drives the strategy and storytelling that connect donors and partners to our vision. With oversight of brand, risk, and reputation management, the Head of Communications and Brand partners across the organisation and with external stakeholders to deliver clear, consistent messaging and confidently navigate challenges. Through strategic planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement, this role ensures communications make a measurable impact in advancing the Foundation’s mission and values.

The key components of the role are:
• Lead the development and delivery of strategic communications and brand management to enhance visibility, reputation, and philanthropic support.
• Provide leadership to a high-performing Communications team that contributes to the Foundation’s organisational development.
• Oversee operational excellence within the Communications team and deliver strategic support to fundraising initiatives that drive growth.

Remuneration for this role starts from $132,000 + 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

Applications close: 11:59PM Thursday 11th September 2025

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Position Summary

The Head of Communications and Brand leads the enhancement of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation’s brand, overseeing the development and execution of communication strategies that inspire philanthropic support. They manage the Communications team to deliver best-practice communications aligned with the Foundation’s mission and values.

Responsible for brand, risk, and reputation management, the Head of Communications and Brand works closely with key stakeholders across the organisation and external partners to ensure consistent messaging, protect the organisation’s image, and effectively navigate challenges while fostering trust and engagement. This role also drives strategic planning and evaluates communication outcomes to continuously strengthen the Foundation’s impact.

Enterprise Agreement

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

Classification or Salary Range

HS4

Immunisation Risk Category

Immunisation Category C

Key Relationships

Internal	Chief Executive Officer Head of Fundraising Head of Philanthropy Head of Finance & Operations Communications Manager 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 ten years’ experience in a communications/marketing role
Demonstrated management experience of a multidisciplinary team
Extensive experience working across a range of communications with a range of stakeholders, preferably in the not-for-profit or fundraising sector
Demonstrated experience of brand management
Experience managing reputational risks and handling sensitive communications issues
Proven experience leading the development and implementation of communications, digital and brand strategies

Skills:

Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills
Applies strategic thinking
Demonstrated project management skills
Understanding of digital communications
Able to manage multiple issues and projects simultaneously
Adaptable in responding to changing priorities
Work collaboratively and build effective relationships
Displays initiative with an innovative and creative approach to problem-solving
Attention to detail
Good negotiation skills
Good time management skills

Desirable Requirements

Experience writing speeches

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities	Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators
1. Strategic Communications and Brand Management	Lead the development and delivery of communication strategies and tactics to support fundraising initiatives and raise the Foundation’s profile. Take responsibility for brand, risk, and reputation management. Oversee the development and implementation of a Foundation-wide digital strategy to support fundraising engagement. Aiding in the cultivation of new and existing donors and event participants through inspiring content and digital communications. Manage key relationships with brand partners critical to strategic objectives. Oversee high-quality, best practice communications across all mediums. Manage media issues and briefing the CEO on media and speaking opportunities.
2. Leadership and Organisational Development	Develop and implement the Communications Operating Plan Manage the Communications team, guiding professional development and ensuring successful delivery of outcomes aligned to the Communications Operating Plan. Serve as a member of the organisation’s Executive team, providing leadership, advice, expertise, and contributing to strategic decision-making. Contribute to the overall advancement of the organisation.
3. Operational oversight and fundraising support	Oversee the annual communications budget preparation and monitoring. Oversee management of all communications tools and channels, including digital platforms. Provide professional communications and marketing advice and support as required. Take a prominent role in leading collaboration efforts across the organisation

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

Key Accountabilities	Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators
4. Lead communications excellence, content development and delivery	Work closely with the Head of Fundraising and fundraising leadership to align communications strategies with fundraising initiatives. Collaborate with the Peter Mac Communications department to ensure cohesive messaging and interconnected visual brand identity. Produce and oversee creation of content, including copywriting, editing, creative briefing, art direction, speech writing, and presentations. Promote understanding of fundraising and philanthropy importance within and outside the organisation, increasing visibility of the Foundation’s impact. Lead the consistent delivery of clear, compelling, and aligned messaging that strengthens organisational culture internally and enhances brand reputation externally.
5. 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.