Communications Specialist

The Opportunity

Established

• in January 2026, the WA Comprehensive Kids Cancer Centre envisions a future
• where all kids with cancer survive and thrive, through a collaboration
• integrating the clinical excellence delivered at Perth Children's Hospital and
• the research expertise of The Kids Research Institute Australia and The
• University of Western Australia.

The

• Communications Specialist will lead the strategic communications, stakeholder
• engagement and reputation-building activities for the Centre. The role is
• responsible for positioning the Centre as a national and international leader
• in integrated childhood cancer research and clinical care through
• communications, stakeholder engagement and advocacy across research, clinical,
• and community settings.

In

• this role, you will shape and lead the Centre’s communications and engagement
• approach, partnering with the Centre’s Communications Working Group,
• researchers, clinicians, funders, families and community stakeholders to
• advance the Centre’s strategic priorities, strengthen its profile and
• influence, and support its vision.
• The Communications Specialist will be an
• equally shared position with the Child and Adolescent Health Service, where you
• will hold an Honorary appointment. You will work across key partners for the
• benefit of the Centre, with a critical aspect of the role being liaison with
• the Centre’s partners to ensure communications are aligned.

Key responsibilities

• Finalise and implement a comprehensive communications and engagement strategy.
• Develop and maintain an ongoing communications plan and implement it across a range of mediums e.g. website, social media, reports and newsletters.
• Maintain the Centre’s branding, brand assets, imagery, and guidelines and coordinate usage across partners.
• Lead media opportunities including drafting of media releases and coordinating media spokespeople and media events, in collaboration with The Kids, CAHS, and other key partner media teams.
• Manage complex internal and external stakeholder relationships across research, clinical and partner organisations.
• Ensure partner, community, children and family priorities are reflected in communications activities.
• Based within Perth Children’s Hospital in Nedlands, this part-time
• (0.8 FTE) position will be offered on a permanent basis.

About You

• The successful candidate will hold a degree
• in Communications (preferably Science Communication), Public Relations,
• Journalism, or a related field, or have equivalent demonstrated experience. You
• will also demonstrate:
• Experience developing and implementing strategic communications and stakeholder engagement strategies and plans, preferably in a health, medical research, science or not-for-profit environment.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific, clinical and technical information to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to understand audience requirements and develop targeted and appropriate communication plans to meet Centre objectives.
• Highly developed stakeholder relations skills influencing senior leaders and stakeholders across complex internal and external environments.

At

• The Kids Research Institute Australia, we are committed to building a workplace
• culture that reflects the communities we serve. We actively recruit
• support and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse
• communities, LGBTQIA+ people, people of all ages, and those with diverse lived
• experiences. We also provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment
• process and in the workplace, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to
• thrive.
• If you meet many, but not all, of the role
• requirements, we encourage you to apply. We also welcome you to mention any
• career breaks in your cover letter to help us understand your journey.
• Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is
• reflected in how we:
• Support staff-led inclusion and allyship groups.
• Offer flexible work practices that recognise different needs and life stages.
• Provide training, development and mentoring opportunities to increase inclusive leadership and create an environment where all staff can thrive.
• Partner with communities to strengthen cultural awareness and belonging.
• Ensure adjustments and accessible practices are available for diverse community groups.
• We continually strive to measure our progress and improve where we can.
• Alongside our inclusive culture, you’ll
• enjoy:
• Extra annual leave at Christmas and Easter.
• Salary packaging and entertainment benefits.
• Health and wellbeing programs with weekly events.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• Recognition and professional development opportunities, including LinkedIn Learning.
• Modern offices with sit-to-stand desks and end-of-trip facilities.
• Staff discounts on travel, IT, stationery, and access to corporate health insurance.

How to apply

• If this
• role feels like the right fit and an exciting new opportunity for you, please
• click on 'Apply Now' to visit our Career Site, view the Job Description,
• and submit your application.

Please

include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) that specifically addresses the

skills and experience outlined in the “About You” section.

Applications

• will only be accepted through our career portal. If you are experiencing
• technical difficulties or require reasonable accommodations in completing your
• application, please contact [email protected].
• Click here for the Job Description
• Contact Name: Emma Stone
• Contact Email: [email protected]
• Closing Date: 19/11/2026 - We reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date.
• The Kids Research Institute Australia is committed to being
• champions of gender equity, diversity, and inclusivity. We actively encourage
• applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, and cultures, including:
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities and people living with disability. As such we are a proud Bronze award recipient of the first
• Australian Athena Swan Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot program.
• We acknowledge that when working in environments which contribute to the health
• and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, it is imperative that Aboriginal people are
• at the forefront of this work. We have launched the Aboriginal Employment and
• Career Development Strategy to increase the number of Aboriginal
• and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and researchers employed in the
• Institute who provide guidance and support in our work in Aboriginal health.