CAUL is Hiring - Lead, Strategic Communication

For more information and to apply visit Seek

CAUL is seeking a highly motivated communications expert to develop and implement a bold, strategic communications agenda that elevates the voice of academic libraries across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. You’ll lead the creation of compelling content, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and contribute to policy development and media engagement to enhance CAUL’s visibility and impact.

About the Role

As Lead, Strategic Communications, you’ll be responsible for building and executing a comprehensive communications strategy that reflects CAUL’s mission and priorities. You’ll lead content development across all platforms, manage media and public relations, and engage stakeholders with timely, impactful messaging. This role will suit a confident writer and content creator who can translate complex issues into clear, persuasive communications and ensure CAUL’s voice is consistent, visible, and valued across sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of CAUL’s internal and external communications aligned with brand and strategic priorities
• Manage website and social media channels, creating and curating engaging content that reflects CAUL’s voice and mission
• Draft media releases, public statements, and promotional content that connect CAUL’s work to broader policy and public discourse
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, media, and sector partners to increase engagement and amplify CAUL’s influence
• Support policy development and advocacy initiatives through strategic communication, research, and contribution to submissions
• Design and produce high-quality publications and digital assets that maintain brand integrity across all communication channels

About You

You’re a confident and strategic communicator with a background in communications, public relations, or a related field, and experience that spans content creation, media engagement, and digital communications. You have excellent writing skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging messages tailored to diverse audiences. Your work is grounded in strong research and analytical skills, and you bring sound judgement to positioning issues for public or policy impact.

You’re comfortable working independently in a virtual team environment and bring a collaborative, values-driven approach to your work. Your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders enhances organisational visibility and influence.

An understanding of academic libraries or experience in a member-based organisation will be highly regarded.

Applicants must be permanent residents of Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand.

What we offer

• Permanent role working 35 hours a week from anywhere in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand
• $120, 000 AUD p.a. plus generous 17% employer superannuation contribution
• Excellent leave provisions including four weeks annual leave plus Christmas shutdown days
• Collaborative and supportive virtual team environment
• Commitment to professional growth and learning opportunities
• Impactful work contributing to the university library sector
• Home office set up provided, including furniture and equipment

Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations,  a related discipline or equivalent workplace experience
2. Solid research skills, including the ability to perform robust desktop reviews, analyse and draw insights from data
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills as applied to policy papers, reports, submissions and briefs
4. Experience managing organisational websites, social media, and newsletters with confidence in using relevant tools and platforms to produce final content in-house that aligns with brand and purpose
5. Demonstrated experience supporting policy and advocacy processes, and success in positioning messages for public or policy impact
6. Proven track record in building relationships with media, communications leads, and diverse stakeholder groups to amplify stories and drive sector influence
7. Ability to work productively as part of a distributed virtual team, contribute to positive team culture and reflect the values of CAUL

Desirable

1. Understanding of the issues affecting academic libraries in Australasia and their role in the higher education landscape of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
2. Experience with member-based organisations or associations 

Recruitment Process

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing their eligibility for the role against the selection criteria. The letter should include specific examples that demonstrate their skills, experience, and performance relevant to the criteria in the Position Description. In addition, a current CV must be provided.

For more information, contact Jane Angel, CEO, jane.angel@caul.edu.au

Applications must be submitted via Seek by 9am AEST Monday 22 September 2025.

CAUL is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and values diverse perspectives and experiences. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace. If you would like to request adjustments for the recruitment process, please let us know of any specific requirements when you apply.

About CAUL

The Council of Australasian University Librarians (CAUL) is the peak collegiate body for the leaders of university libraries in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It facilitates connection and collaboration and optimises its collective knowledge, expertise, and resources to achieve strategic outcomes at scale in priority areas for the university library sector. CAUL is the trusted voice of the university library sector in the region.

CAUL is a non-profit organisation that supports Members in leading their libraries through:

• delivering key services, including the Analytics Service, Content Procurement Service, and Professional Learning Service
• convening Members
• fostering collaboration and cooperative activity
• representing Members' interests, views and values to government and other stakeholders
• facilitating the sharing of best practice
• fostering the professional growth of current and future leaders in university libraries.

CAUL is governed by a Board of Directors and operated by the CAUL Office.

Documents

Lead, Strategic Communications Position Description (pdf, 188.38 KB, last modified 29/08/2025)