National Manager, Communications & Brand

• Senior Leadership Role
• Lead brand and communications strategy to strengthen impact and engagement
• Permanent full time position, based in Sydney National Office, NSW (Hybrid and flexible working)

At The Smith Family (TSF), we believe in the power of education to transform lives. As we work to reduce educational inequality caused by poverty, compelling communication is essential to inspire support, build trust, and amplify our impact. We are now seeking a senior communications leader to join our leadership team as National Manager, Communications & Brand.

About the role

As the National Manager, Communications and Brand, you will lead the delivery of integrated brand, and communications activity across the organisation. You will be responsible for overseeing brand stewardship, internal communications, and social media, ensuring these strategic growth brand awareness and consideration of The Smith Family’s work.

Leading a small national team of communications specialists, you will balance strategic oversight with hands on delivery, providing expert advice to our Executive Leadership Team, and supporting organisation wide initiatives, change programs and priority projects. You will play a key role in managing brand and reputational risk, including supporting prospective crisis incidents through providing high level specialist advice. Working closely with colleagues across Fundraising, Research and Advocacy, Digital and Transformation, People and Culture and Operations, you will ensure communications activity is aligned, and outcome and impact driven.

Key accountabilities

• Lead the planning, design and implementation of integrated brand and communications strategies, including internal communications and social media
• Lead internal communications strategy and delivery, including oversight of our intranet (SmithNet)
• Oversee non-fundraising social media strategy and activity, managing brand and engagement risk
• Provide expert communications advice to executive leadership team, including support for organisational change and crisis incidents
• Develop, manage and report on communications metrics, brand health tracking and performance insights
• Manage agency and supplier relationships to deliver quality, cost effective outcomes
• Lead, coach and develop a high performing communications team, fostering collaboration, capability and accountability
• Manage the Communications team budget

About you

You are an accomplished communications and brand leader who combines strategic thinking with strong execution. You are comfortable operating in complex, matrixed environments and are confident advising senior leaders and executives whilst building and leading a high performing team. You are collaborative, adaptable and motivated by purpose driven impact, with a genuine interest in education and social outcomes.

Skills and experience:

• Tertiary qualification in Communications, Marketing or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in communications and brand roles, including senior leadership experience
• Demonstrated expertise across internal communications, brand management and social media channels
• Strong experience advising senior leaders and supporting organisation wide initiatives and change
• Proven ability to lead and develop high performing teams
• Strong analytical skills, including use of metrics and insights to inform decision making
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in the not for profit, education or social impact sectors is highly desirable

Our benefits

Employees are at the centre of The Smith Family’s values and operations. By joining our team, you can expect to:

• Find balance; with flexible work options and opportunities to purchase additional annual leave
• Maximise your take home pay; with salary packaging, as well as opportunities to save with discounts at retailers across the country
• Fulfill your potential, with excellent career opportunities, a suite of development programs and a dedicated learning and development platform
• Feel you belong; with inclusive leave options, including paid parental, cultural and gender affirmation leave
• Thrive; with support for you and your family’s mental and physical health including a complete care and safety platform, unlimited Employee Assistance and access to a huge range of fitness facilities with Fitness Passport

About us

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity with a vision of a world where every child has the opportunity to change their future, no matter their circumstances. We believe that education is one of the most powerful change agents, and we work with young Australians to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty – so they can thrive now and into their futures.

If you are passionate about what you do, committed to make a difference and this sounds like your next role, please click apply, we’d love to hear from you. You may view the position description here.

Closing date: 2 February 2026

Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must be prepared to undertake a National Police Check and a Working with Children’s Check. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to principles of cultural diversity. Applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged.