Manager of Communications and Engagement

Job Description

Manager of Communications and Engagement

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Shape the story of one of Queensland's leading independent schools.

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Canterbury College is a highly regarded Anglican ELC–12 school located in the thriving growth corridor between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

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We are seeking an experienced and innovative Manager of Communications and Engagement to lead our brand, marketing, communications, community engagement, and emerging philanthropy initiatives.

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This is an ideal opportunity for a collaborative leader to further evolve a high-performing team, building on strong foundations while shaping its next chapter. Reporting directly to the Principal, you will play a pivotal role in driving the College's reputation, storytelling, and strategic growth, helping shape how our community connects, engages, and thrives.

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As the successful applicant, you will take full responsibility for leading the function while benefiting from exceptional continuity, support, and knowledge sharing during the transition. This rare arrangement provides access to the experience and insight of a long-standing College leader, helping you build confidence and momentum from day one.

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Shape the story of one of Queensland's leading independent schools.

\n

Canterbury College is a highly regarded Anglican ELC–12 school located in the thriving growth corridor between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

\n

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Manager of Communications and Engagement to lead our brand, marketing, communications, community engagement, and emerging philanthropy initiatives.

\n

This is an ideal opportunity for a collaborative leader to further evolve a high-performing team, building on strong foundations while shaping its next chapter. Reporting directly to the Principal, you will play a pivotal role in driving the College's reputation, storytelling, and strategic growth, helping shape how our community connects, engages, and thrives.

\n

As the successful applicant, you will take full responsibility for leading the function while benefiting from exceptional continuity, support, and knowledge sharing during the transition. This rare arrangement provides access to the experience and insight of a long-standing College leader, helping you build confidence and momentum from day one.

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What You'll Do

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• Lead Canterbury's communications, marketing, and engagement strategy.
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• Drive impactful campaigns that strengthen brand awareness and support enrolments.
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• Oversee digital channels, content creation, publications, social media, and media relations.
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• A willingness to remain operationally responsible for one key portfolio or functionality within the department.
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• Build meaningful connections with families, alumni, sponsors, and community partners.
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• Support the growth of the College's philanthropy and sponsorship initiatives.
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• Provide trusted strategic advice to the Principal and Senior Leadership Team.
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About You

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You are a strategic communicator, creative storyteller, and confident leader with experience across marketing, communications, engagement, or public relations. You combine big-picture thinking with hands-on delivery and thrive in environments where relationships, reputation, and results matter.

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You bring:

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• Significant experience in design, communications, marketing, public relations, or stakeholder engagement.
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• Strong leadership capability with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse stakeholders.
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• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
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• Experience managing digital marketing, social media, websites, and content strategies.
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• Commercial and strategic thinking, backed by strong execution skills.
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• The judgement and professionalism to manage sensitive communications with confidence.
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Personal Qualities

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• A collaborative and enabling leadership style that brings out the best in a small specialist team.
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• The relational confidence to build trust with staff, families, alumni, and external partners.
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• A genuine affinity for the mission of Anglican education and the values that animate a school community.
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• High standards of personal presentation, written expression, and professional conduct.
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• The organisational capacity to manage a varied portfolio without losing attention to detail or quality.
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Essential Qualifications / Criteria

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• Degree-level qualifications in communications, marketing, journalism, or a similar discipline
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• A current Positive Notice Working with Children Blue Card, or the ability to obtain one prior to commencement.
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• The right to work in Australia.
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• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with students, parents, and colleagues.
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• A genuine commitment to student wellbeing, inclusion, and holistic development.
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Desirable Qualifications

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• Experience working within a K–12 school environment
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Why Canterbury College?

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Working at Canterbury is both professionally rewarding and personally sustaining. You will be part of a collegial and disciplined environment where teaching is taken seriously, where effort is recognised and where people genuinely support one another to improve.

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• A high-trust, collaborative staff culture focused on excellence in practice
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• Ongoing professional learning, coaching and clear career development pathways
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• A clear commitment to staff wellbeing, with strong leadership support
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• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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• Free onsite parking, coffee shop and a wide-ranging staff wellbeing program
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• Remuneration in accordance with experience and qualifications, above award where merited
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Work and Wellbeing

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We recognise that sustainable performance depends on balance. Canterbury supports the Right to Disconnect, and we are intentional about ensuring that expectations around communication and workload are clear, reasonable and respectful of personal time.

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A Different Kind of Community

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Our mantra, "Different Together", speaks to the strength of a community that is diverse in experience, perspective and background, yet united in purpose. We are proud of the culture we have built, one that combines high expectations with genuine care, and one that continues to evolve as we look to the future.

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Canterbury College is committed to being a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. Successful applicants will be expected to live and breathe our unwavering commitment to the dignity, safety and wellbeing of every student, and to act consistently in ways that reflect and uphold this across all aspects of College life.

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16 September 2026Waterford Queensland, Australia