Director, Internal Communication

The Internal Communication team sits within DVA’s Communications Branch and plays an important role in helping staff understand departmental priorities, organisational change, services, events and the impact of their work. The team delivers clear, timely and practical communication that supports staff engagement, change readiness and a positive organisational culture.

As Director Internal Communication, you will lead a small team to plan, deliver and evaluate contemporary internal communication products, channels and campaigns. You will work closely with senior executives, business areas and communication colleagues to provide strategic advice, translate complex information into plain English, and ensure messages are coordinated, accessible and aligned with departmental priorities.

This is an opportunity to shape a high-performing internal communication function in a complex service delivery environment. You will contribute to branch-wide priorities, bring strong external strategic communication judgement when required, and help ensure DVA staff are informed, connected and able to support veterans and families with confidence.

Desirable qualifications include tertiary study in communication, public relations, journalism, organisational communication, change management or a related field, as well as training or experience in internal communication, employee engagement, change communication, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership, plain English writing, accessibility and communication evaluation.

Demonstrated experience leading Government internal communication teams will be highly regarded.

• Lead a small team to plan, deliver and evaluate internal communication that keeps staff informed about departmental priorities, change initiatives, services, events and organisational updates.
• Provide high-quality strategic communication advice to senior executives and business areas, including advice on communication approaches that support staff engagement, change readiness and organisational culture.
• Develop and implement innovative internal communication products, channels and campaigns that are accessible, audience-focused and aligned with departmental priorities.
• Use external strategic communication experience to support agile work programs, contribute to cross-branch priorities and provide broader surge support across the Communications Branch when required.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal stakeholders, senior leaders and communication colleagues to ensure coordinated, consistent and effective messaging across the department.
• Manage competing priorities, issues and deadlines in a fast-paced environment, while maintaining quality, judgement and a strong focus on staff needs. 

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). 
• Any successful candidate external to DVA offered employment will be required to undergo pre-engagement screening checks, even if they currently have a security clearance. The screening checks are conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
• Any successful candidate will be required to obtain and/or maintain, a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance as a minimum. 

This recruitment process is being used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

DVA embraces and fosters a culture that supports diversity, inclusion and respect, where people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We are dedicated and committed to attracting and recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourage applications from people with disability, people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Take on a rewarding, varied, and broad career with an Australian Public Service Department that can bring balance and flexibility to your working life, while supporting you to stay connected to your community.

DVA is committed to improving the data skills and capability of our workforce to underpin our goal of becoming a leading data-driven organisation.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) exists to fulfil the nation’s duty to support our serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families. We do this through programs of care, compensation, commemoration, income and Defence support services. Our aim is to enhance self-sufficiency, quality of life, financial wellbeing and community recognition for those we support. DVA is both a policy and service delivery agency. We have strong relationships with Australian ex-service organisations, Federal and State Government agencies and the veteran community. DVA’s vision is to honour veterans, and empower them and their families to continue life after service, within a society that understands and values their military service and their ongoing contribution to the community.