Senior Communications Officer - Reform and Sector Engagement

National Disability Services (NDS) is Australia's peak body for disability service organisations and has been supporting and representing the disability sector for more than 80 years. Our valued members collectively operate several thousand services for more than 300,000 Australians with disability and employ a workforce of more than 100,000 people across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities. NDS has a strong and influential presence in every state and territory across Australia.

At NDS, our work is purposeful, collaborative and grounded in impact. We play a key role in shaping a stronger, more sustainable sector that improves outcomes for people with disability.  We influence national reform, advocate for high quality providers and help our members navigate complexity in a changing environment. Every role at NDS contributes to this impact, whether you work in policy & advocacy, member services, marketing & communications, operations, projects or corporate services.

At NDS, our values underpin everything we do. NDS employees have a passion to make a difference, are member focused, value diversity and lived experience, share knowledge and expertise and prioritise progress over perfection. NDS supports our people to achieve their goals with a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements, employee wellbeing programs and opportunities for growth and learning.

To find out more about NDS, please visit our website.

About the Role

• Location: Sydney (but other locations considered) 
• Working Arrangement: Hybrid (minimum 1 day in the office per week)
• Hours: Full-time, 38 hours, 5 days per week
• Status: 12 month fixed-term contract
• Industrial Instrument: Non Award

The Communications Lead, Reform and Sector Engagement plays a critical role in ensuring disability service providers remain informed, prepared and engaged throughout a period of significant sector reform.

Working at the intersection of communications, policy and advocacy, this role is responsible for translating complex policy developments into clear, practical and timely information for NDS members and the broader sector.

The role acts as a key connector across teams, identifying emerging reform priorities, anticipating communication needs and coordinating integrated communications activities. This includes news updates, member communications, publications, events, presentations, campaigns and sector resources.

The position works closely with the Policy and Advocacy team to ensure NDS communications support advocacy priorities and provide members with the information they need to navigate change.

Key Responsibilities

Policy, Advocacy and Reform Communications 

• Work closely with the Policy and Advocacy team to identify emerging reform priorities and sector issues. 
• Translate complex policy and legislative changes into accessible and practical communications for members. 
• Develop and implement communications plans to support advocacy campaigns, reform initiatives and sector engagement activities. 
• Identify opportunities to integrate reform messaging across communications channels, events, publications and stakeholder engagement activities. 
• Monitor policy developments and proactively identify member information needs. 

Content Development and Copywriting 

• Lead the development of news updates for members and the disability sector. 
• Write, edit and publish high quality content across digital channels including newsletters, websites, campaigns and presentations. 
• Coordinate delivery of NDS weekly and monthly newsletters. 
• Ensure content is accurate, engaging, accessible and aligned with NDS brand and style guidelines. 
• Develop talking points, speeches, briefing documents and presentation content for senior leaders and event speakers. 

Sector Publications and Digital Communications 

• Coordinate the production of major organisational publications including:  
• State of the Disability Sector Report 
• Workforce Census  
• Annual Report 
• Other strategic research and sector reports 
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure publications are delivered on time and meet quality standards. 
• Assist with management and publishing of website content through the NDS content management system. 
• Ensure content meets accessibility requirements and quality standards. 
• Create and send email communications using Microsoft Dynamics CRM. 
• Support management of subscription lists, audience segmentation and email marketing activities. 
• Assist with CRM governance and support staff nationally in the effective use of communications systems. 
• Support the Digital Communications Officer with social media content and related activities. 
• Contribute to reporting across digital communications channels. 
• Analyse communication performance and member engagement data to identify opportunities for improvement. 
• Recommend new approaches to strengthen reach, engagement and member value. 

Other Responsibilities (applicable for all NDS employees):

• Bring a member first approach and mindset to my work. 
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required by manager/supervisor from time to time
• Comply with NDS’s policies and procedures at all times, including (but not limited to) HR, Quality, Work Health & Safety (WHS), IT, Security, and Data Privacy
• Respond to reasonable contact from NDS outside standard work hours if required as part of role responsibilities. 
• Develop accessible versions of documents for internal and external distribution.  
• Demonstrate the NDS values of Build respectful relationships, Lead change, Deliver clarity & impact, Support and develop others and Embrace diversity.

Skills & Experience

1. Demonstrated experience in communications, public affairs, advocacy communications or stakeholder engagement. 
2. Strong understanding of the disability services sector and the policy environment influencing disability service providers. 
3. Strong writing, editing and proofreading capabilities. 
4. Ability to translate complex policy and technical information into clear, engaging content. 
5. Experience delivering communication campaigns across multiple channels. 
6. Experience coordinating publications, reports or large-scale content projects. 
7. Experience using Microsoft Dynamics CRM or other CRM platforms and website content management systems. 
8. Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills. 
9. Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
10. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and coordinate competing priorities.  

Personal Attributes

1. Strategic thinker who can anticipate future communication needs. 
2. Highly organised and able to coordinate multiple moving parts. 
3. Adaptable and comfortable working in a rapidly changing environment. 
4. Strong collaborator who builds relationships across teams. 
5. Curious and proactive with a strong interest in public policy and sector reform. 
6. Committed to accessible and inclusive communication.  

What We Offer

• Impact and purpose - Opportunity to do work that matters.
• Financial - Salary packaging, employee discounts, annual salary indexation
• Work life balance - Hybrid work, flexible arrangements, part time and job share options
• Leave - Paid parental leave, additional Christmas closedown leave, study leave, option to purchase leave
• Professional development - Learning allowance, access to NDS events and learning, online LMS and courses
• Health and wellbeing - EAP, online wellbeing platform, flu vaccination reimbursement, Mental Health First Aid Officers
• Culture - Staff events, employee working groups, diversity and inclusion initiatives including RAP and DIAPRecognition
• Recognition - Service awards, peer recognition program, annual CEO awards

To Apply

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQA+ and culturally diverse communities to join NDS.  

NDS is committed to supporting equal employment opportunities for individuals with disability and will provide reasonable workplace adjustments. We encourage potential applicants with lived experience to contact NDS to discuss any questions regarding individual workplace adjustments. NDS also provides adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

If you identify as a person with disability and require adjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via recruitment@nds.org.au using the subject line: Senior Communications Officer - Reform and Sector Engagement enquiry via EthicalJobs or 02 9256 3141 and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone).

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your Skills & Experience in the areas listed above by clicking on the 'Apply Now' button.

For further information please contact recruitment@nds.org.au. Please do not send your application to this email address, as it's for enquiries only.

The successful applicant must be prepared to undertake a pre-employment police check.

No agencies please.