Assistant Director, Communications

Champion leadership that strengthens strategic communications capability and advances public education outcomes.

The Department for Education is seeking an Assistant Director, Communications offering you the chance to make a meaningful impact on the future of public education in South Australia.

The Strategy and Performance Division promotes the value of education in South Australia and plays a key role in improving the public education system. It leads system-wide strategy, manages strategic risks, provides data-driven insights, and supports schools and preschools to succeed and strengthen their standing within their communities.

About the role:

As Assistant Director, Communications you will work closely with the Director, Communications to lead a team of high performing communications professionals that support the Department’s objectives, tell the story of public education and support schools and preschools to be responsive and valuable to their community.

The position is responsible for the performance of the communications model and its effectiveness, including the prioritisation of effort across the communications team with a focus on the communications priorities that will make a difference to public education.

Working within a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment, the position needs to be adaptable and able to work across multiple projects and priorities efficiently, effectively and with a strong focus on evaluation and improvement.

The Department’s commitment to unlocking every child’s potential means you’ll be empowered to lead strategic communications that elevate the reputation and performance of public education in South Australia and foster strong relationships across government and community networks for the betterment of public education.

About you:

• Proven experience leading a communications team in a large, complex organisation.
• Track record of managing and improving multiple internal and external communications channels for varied audiences.
• Senior advisory experience including briefing executives and Ministers, speech writing, and sensitive stakeholder negotiations.
• Skilled mentor with experience upskilling team members in content creation across multiple channels.
• Strategic thinker with experience developing and implementing innovative solutions to complex communications challenges.
• Strong background in delivering communications projects, campaigns, and strategies end-to-end.
• Ability to work autonomously, driving a high-performing team culture that embraces change and delivers quality outcomes.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a talent for building collaborative, trust-based relationships.
• Committed to equal opportunity principles and maintaining a safe, inclusive workplace.

As a member of the Strategy and Performance Division, the role will provide executive leadership in supporting the broader division as a strategic function that supports our direction as a system, the management of strategic risks, and the delivery of major strategies and reforms.

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) and working with children check (WWCC) prior to employment.

Applications close Wednesday 22nd April 2026.

To apply, please click "Apply" or contact Ella Morgan directly on 08 8216 3553 or ella.morgan@robertwalters.com.au for a confidential discussion.