Media And External Relations Manager

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Introduction:
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is seeking a Media & External Relations Manager (12-month maternity leave relief) to enhance the profile and reputation of the Diocese by sharing the good work of its schools, early education and care services, social services, and pastoral initiatives.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic communications professional to lead media and external relations across the Diocese and its agencies, working closely with the broader Communications & Marketing team and senior leaders.

Benefits of Working With Us

• Attractive Salary
• Directly contribute to improving the lives of many in the community.
• Discounted gym membership through Fitness Passport (T&C’s apply).
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A great friendly environment of dedicated and passionate co-workers.
• Enjoy up to 10% off at top retailers with our mnBenefits program.
• Corporate benefits, including EAP, flu shots and more.

Description:
POSITION DESCRIPTION

A key component of the role is collaborating with the Director of Communications and Marketing and other senior leaders to identify emerging issues, provide strategic advice, prepare key messages and support coordinated responses that protect and strengthen the Diocese's reputation. This includes contributing to crisis communication planning, assisting with media responses during sensitive or high-risk situations and ensuring communications are timely, accurate and aligned with Diocesan values and governance protocols.

You will develop and implement media strategies, manage proactive coverage, act as the primary media contact for the Diocese. The role includes overseeing content for publications including Aurora, the digital news of the Diocese, and supporting leaders and teams to identify and promote newsworthy stories, manage media opportunities, and deliver public-facing communications.

The ideal candidate is experienced in media and communications, highly organised, and able to influence and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders. Strong content development, strategic thinking, and project management skills are essential, along with discretion and a commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Skills and Experiences:
EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA

• Extensive experience in a role of similar scope and responsibility.
• Demonstrated capability in building collaborative, trust-based relationships with media and stakeholders, with extensive experience managing both short-turnaround and long-term media enquiries, issues and opportunities.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, particularly under tight deadlines, with the ability to tailor messages and materials for diverse audiences and sensitive contexts.
• Exceptional attention to detail with demonstrated experience in proofreading, editing and maintaining high editorial standards across multiple content formats.
• Proven experience in the development, delivery and editorial oversight of regular publications.
• Strong relationship and influencing skills, including the ability to build and maintain trusted partnerships with senior leaders, spokespeople and subject-matter experts. Ability to engage, inspire and coach stakeholders with media preparation, issues navigation and strategic communications decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure, managing competing priorities and complex workloads while maintaining high-quality outputs.
• Proven ability to work flexibly and independently, exercising sound judgment, prioritising competing deadlines, and contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume, dynamic environment with strong organisational and time-management skills and a capacity to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and client-service skills, with demonstrated capacity to build constructive relationships across a large, multi-agency organisation and deliver consistently high levels of stakeholder support.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Tertiary Qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Public relations or similar
• Current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Current Class C Driver’s Licence
• Strong network of relevant media contacts in the area (Desirable)
• Experience in writing, editing and pitching stories to media (Desirable)

To Apply

Please provide a current copy of your Resume and a Cover Letter which addresses the two criterion points below:

• Why you want this role and how it aligns with your career goals.
• Your qualifications and experience in a similar position.

For further information regarding this position, please contact Erin Tiedeman, Director Communications and Marketing - erin.tiedeman@mn.catholic.org.au

Applications close: 11:59pm Thursday, 05 February 2026

Additional information

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons and preventing those in our care from suffering abuse or neglect. It is committed to implementing and maintaining compliance with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons.

All who work in the name of the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy and act in accordance with the Diocese’s Code of Conduct which includes the Diocese’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement. Employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check where necessary, in accordance with legislation.