Chisholm is seeking an experienced Communications Manager to lead purpose-driven enterprise-level comms strategy and execution.

BELONGING AND INCLUSION

Chisholm is resolutely diverse. We celebrate our people’s unique contributions to achieving our ambition to transform lives through relevant and responsive high-quality education. Chisholm’s culture of Belonging & Inclusion strives to promote a self-regulating culture that enhances the experiences of our employees, students and communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Communications Manager will lead and govern enterprise-wide communications at Chisholm, setting clear priorities that incorporate major government-funded initiatives, while aligning all activity to organisational strategy. You will ensure high-quality planning and delivery across all channels and provide calm, confident leadership through issues and crisis situations, ensuring compliance with government requirements and a consistent, evidence-based narrative.

Day-to-day, you will:

• lead integrated, multi-year communications plans for priority initiatives, launches and milestones
• govern comms messaging, tone and brand across internal and external comms channels, ensuring quality and accessibility
• build strong relationships across government, media, industry and the Victorian/National TAFE networks
• work collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders including students, staff, employers, agency partners and other external organisations
• lead, coach and empower a capable Comms team (including senior specialists), fostering collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement
• provide sound counsel and actionable comms recommendations, targeted to audience
• measure insights and processes to lift effectiveness and demonstrate impact
• deliver overall high-quality planning and execution.

The Communications Manager is a key member of the Marketing and Communications leadership group, partnering closely with the Executive, CEO Office and project governance forums to protect and enhance Chisholm’s reputation. They have exceptional negotiation and persuasion skills.

ABOUT YOU

You’re an experienced communications leader who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, who brings people on the journey with you. You combine strategic judgement and political acumen with a grounded, approachable style — a natural collaborator and mentor who lifts the capability of those around you (from senior team members to fresh faces). You’re as comfortable advising executives and government stakeholders as you are rolling up your sleeves to land clear, compelling messages.

You’ll bring:

• significant senior advisory experience leading high-profile, high-stakes communications in complex, government-funded and/or sensitive contexts
• a track record in issues and crisis communications, with sound judgement and calm delivery
• exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills across multiple channels
• experience leading and developing teams; you create psychological safety, set clear standards and coach for impact
• strong stakeholder management — you negotiate, influence and collaborate effectively across the organisation and with external partners, including executive and government
• disciplined program and workflow management, with a focus on measurement and continuous improvement
• tertiary qualifications in communications, PR, marketing or similar (postgraduate desirable).

ABOUT US

Chisholm is one of the largest vocational training providers in the state with a team of over 1,400 dedicated staff supporting 41,000 students who choose to study at Chisholm and training at our modern campuses across Melbourne’s southeast and online.  We partner with governments, educational institutes, and businesses worldwide, sharing our expertise in vocational education.

We offer over 400 courses that include nationally accredited pathways from secondary school programs and short courses, through to certificates, diplomas, and degrees.

At Chisholm, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation. We know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain a team of talented people.

Chisholm has zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of harm to children. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated consistently in accordance with Chisholm policy and procedure.

WHAT WE OFFER

An Inclusive work culture – Chisholm is resolutely diverse. We celebrate our people’s unique contributions to achieving our ambition to transform lives through relevant and responsive high-quality education

Professional Development – continue to grow your career

Networking Opportunities with Industrial Partners

State of the art facilities on our campuses

Free on-site parking as well as locations close to public transport

Free Employee Assistance Program – get the support you want. It’s confidential.

If this is the job for you, please apply online now. We look forward to receiving your application!

Important information about your application

Your application should include:

• a cover letter
• your resume
• contact details of three (3) referees from a direct manager

Please note, appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory completion of Safety Screening requirements including:

Applications for this position close 9am Friday 27 March 2026

• Verified copies of qualifications and transcripts as listed in your resume
• Current valid Employee Working with Children Check
• Verified copy of unrestricted rights to work in Australia
• Verified National Police Check

If you have any questions regarding the position or require further information, please contact Alicia Pridgeon, Head of Marketing & Communications, ***************@chisholm.edu.au

We are committed to a fair and equitable merit-based recruitment process for all our candidates. If you have specific accessibility or support requirements, please contact our Belonging & Inclusion Lead by emailing **********@chisholm.edu.au.

Chisholm reserves the right to withdraw an advertised position at any stage.

Find out more about us by visiting us on our Website and social media sites.