Senior Communications Manager - External

About the role

As the Senior Communications Manager – External you will shape AP+’s external voice, build reputation and strengthen its position across the payments industry and broader business community. You will lead thought‑leadership and media relations, advise senior leaders on emerging and crisis issues, and translate business strategy into compelling external narratives.

Key responsibilities

• Lead AP+’s external thought‑leadership agenda, identifying issues, trends and conversations where AP+ can contribute.
• Develop and execute proactive and reactive media relations, building a pipeline of stories and managing enquiries.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists across major Australian business, financial and industry publications.
• Create high‑quality external communications, including media strategies, key messages, briefing documents, articles and commentary.
• Lead the AP+ thought‑leadership podcast and shape content for major events such as the Beyond Tomorrow Summit.
• Identify emerging media and reputational issues, providing strategic advice and supporting crisis communications preparedness.
• Collaborate with the Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs on briefing materials for government and regulator engagement.
• Partner with internal teams to translate complex business and product developments into external stories.
• Manage external agencies and contribute to broader communications priorities and major announcements.

Required profile

• Tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience leading external, corporate or stakeholder communications in a complex organisation.
• Proven ability to build communications plans and narratives that align organisational priorities with audience needs.
• Strong media relations skills and sound judgement in handling sensitive or fast‑moving issues.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling abilities across multiple formats and channels.
• Confidence to build trusted relationships with internal experts, executives, media and external stakeholders.
• Experience in payments, financial services, infrastructure or other regulated environments is advantageous.

Required skills

• Strategic communications planning
• Media relations and issues management
• Content creation for articles, podcasts and events
• Stakeholder partnership and advisory