The Role
The Principal of Communications & External Affairs acts as a strategic voice for Pacific Energy and a trusted bridge between the organisation and its internal and external stakeholders.

The role builds trust and advocacy by developing and delivering strategic communications that strengthen stakeholder confidence, enhance public sentiment and support a positive overall perception of Pacific Energy.

The principal crafts compelling narratives, contributes to stakeholder engagement and ensures the Pacific Energy brand is seen, heard and understood by the company’s key audiences.

While primarily focused on external affairs and communications, the Principal of Communications & External Affairs will also support the company’s internal communications actions, as required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic communications: Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies tailored to internal and external audiences, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and public messaging.

• Media relations and public messaging: Manage media relations, including preparation and distribution of media releases, craft compelling narratives, and respond to media inquiries.

• Stakeholder engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government, industry, community and media.

• Social performance: Contribute to the design, monitoring and evaluation of Pacific Energy’s social investments, including social partnerships, sponsorships and donations.

• Issues and crisis communications: Support communication response during a crisis or on sensitive issues.

• Content creation: Oversee and manage the content strategy across all communication platforms, including the company website and social media, as well as non-digital platforms like print publications.

• Monitoring and evaluation: Monitor and apply insights from communications metrics and analysis to measure the effectiveness of communication and engagement activities and refine future strategies.

About You:

• Bachelor or postgraduate degree, specialising in communications, public affairs and/or journalism; or equivalent practical experience.

• 10+ years of proven experience in external affairs, public relations, or corporate communications.

• A track record of successfully managing complex stakeholder relationships and communications initiatives, with proven experience in providing advice to senior leaders on corporate affairs and communications best practice.

• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills for various audiences and channels, with a demonstrated understanding of the critical role communication plays in strengthening engagement with stakeholders to build trust and advocacy.

• Strong media relations expertise and a deep understanding of the news cycle, with demonstrated success in proactively achieving earned media outcomes aligned with business strategy.

• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining positive relationships with government representatives, industry associations and community groups to foster strategic partnerships.

• Demonstrated experience in maximizing value of social investments for communities, stakeholders and the company through innovative partnering, communications and engagements.

• Experience in crisis communication and issues reputational management.

• Critical thinking paired with hands-on execution skills and attention to detail.

• Proficiency in leveraging digital platforms, analytics tools, and social media for brand storytelling.

Why Join us
We invest in our people and offer a range of benefits designed to support career development, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

• Full-time, permanent opportunity with free on-site parking in Kewdale
• Competitive remuneration packages
• Enjoy nine-day fortnight option & flexible working arrangements
• 17 weeks paid parental leave
• Novated leasing options
• Employee referral bonus program
• Health and wellbeing reimbursement
• Rewards Gateway employee discounts
• Education tuition assistance
• Salary sacrifice options for superannuation, vehicles and education
• Ongoing training, development and career progression opportunities

Eligibility

To be considered, you must have permanent and unrestricted working rights in Australia.

For more visit www.pacificenergy.com.au/careers.