The Senior Manager Media and Communications at the NSW State Emergency Service is responsible for how the agency communicates when public attention is high and information is moving quickly. The role leads strategic media work and a specialist team, while coordinating with SES leaders, volunteers, the Minister’s Office, emergency services and newsrooms. View the official job ad.
The written application has three separate parts: a one-page cover letter and two targeted responses of up to one page each. Use the letter to establish the scale of your media leadership, then give the questions distinct examples of message delivery under pressure and the frameworks you have embedded through a team.
Senior media experience from a large operational or high-profile organisation can translate well when it shows sound judgement, team direction and responsibility for public trust. The Wollongong role pays $154,231 to $178,369 plus superannuation.
In This Guide
- Role snapshot
- Application requirements
- Candidate requirements
- Example application structure
- Application help
Senior Manager Media and Communications, Clerk Grade 11/12 Role Snapshot
| Role title | Senior Manager Media and Communications, Clerk Grade 11/12 |
|---|---|
| Organisation | NSW State Emergency Service |
| Job location | Wollongong |
| Job reference number | 493693 |
| Work type | Full-time |
| Total remuneration package | $154,231 to $178,369 plus superannuation |
| Closing date | Sunday 16 August 2026 |
| Official job ad | View the official job ad |
NSW Government Application Requirements
Upload the three components separately and stay within every page maximum. Use the cover letter for interest and essential fit, then let the questions carry the detailed evidence.
Application Requirements For Senior Manager Media and Communications, Clerk Grade 11/12
- Cover letter, maximum 1 page
- Responses to 2 targeted questions as separate attachments, maximum 1 page per response
- Up-to-date resume, maximum 4 pages
Targeted questions
- Describe a time where you required to lead a team in delivering clear messages to a range of internal and external stakeholders including the media. How did you approach the situation?
- Outline your experience in developing and embedding strategic initiatives and frameworks to deliver on effective media and communication outcomes. Also include in your response, how you managed a team to deliver on these strategies.
NSW Government Candidate Requirements
The hiring team needs senior media leadership that operates under scrutiny. Use examples where message quality, stakeholder confidence and team coordination affected an organisational outcome.
Candidate Requirements For Senior Manager Media and Communications At NSW SES
| Requirement or capability from role | How to demonstrate it |
|---|---|
| Develop strategic media initiatives that strengthen confidence and public trust | Show the organisational issue, strategy, executive decisions, implementation and reputational result. |
| Engage SES leaders, volunteers, staff, government and media | Use a high-pressure situation and explain message governance and stakeholder alignment. |
| Lead a specialist media and communications team in an operational agency | Show team direction, workload control, coaching and delivery during a critical period. |
Example Application Structure For Senior Manager Media and Communications
The application requires a one-page cover letter plus two separate targeted responses. Each targeted response has a maximum of one page. The tables below show how to allocate the evidence.
| Cover letter section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Opening paragraph | Your senior media leadership and interest in emergency-service impact. |
| Essential fit | Operational communication, public trust and specialist team leadership. |
| Closing paragraph | Your readiness to lead from Wollongong. |
Responses To Targeted Questions
Each answer needs a complete senior-level example and a clear organisational result.
| Targeted Question | What a strong response would include |
|---|---|
| Describe a time where you required to lead a team in delivering clear messages to a range of internal and external stakeholders including the media. How did you approach the situation? | The situation, message risks, governance, team direction, stakeholder coordination and outcome. |
| Outline your experience in developing and embedding strategic initiatives and frameworks to deliver on effective media and communication outcomes. Also include in your response, how you managed a team to deliver on these strategies. | Framework design, adoption, team leadership, measures and sustained communication outcome. |
What The Panel Will Want To See In Your Examples
- Senior team leadership.
- High-stakes media judgement.
- Strategic framework delivery.
- Stakeholder alignment.
- Public trust or preparedness outcomes.
Help With Your Senior Manager Media and Communications Application
Use the free NSW cover letter template. For help with the two responses, request professional application support. Check the official advertisement.