Head of External Communications

Company Description

Supporting millions of Aussies since 1988 with low fees and competitive long-term performance. Profits back to members, not shareholders

Closing date: 20th August 2025

Please note Rest does not accept speculative resumes from recruitment agencies 

Rest will review applications prior to the closing date and may close the role earlier

Job Description

• Join An Award-Winning Superannuation Fund Provider 
• Great Opportunity to Execute Rest's External Communications Strategy 
• 12 Month Fixed Term Contract (potential to become permanent) 
• Sydney Located 
• Hybrid Working - Blend of Sydney CBD Office / Remote 

Established in 1988, Rest is one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member superannuation funds. We support nearly two million members, with around $75 billion of funds under management and are recognised as a responsible investment leader*. We believe when members understand and engage with their super, they’re more likely to get a better retirement outcome.

Everything we do at Rest is underpinned by our values and behaviours, we want to Be Daring, Keep it Simple, Take Action and Have Grit. To put it simply we want our people to thrive and love the work they do.

The Head of External Communications (12 Month Fixed Term Contract) is responsible for executing Rest’s external communications strategy to enhance and protect the Fund’s reputation, build trust with key stakeholders, and support business objectives.

This role will lead strategic media relations and external stakeholder engagement, while partnering closely with senior leaders to identify and tell compelling stories that reflect Rest’s purpose and values. The role requires a highly collaborative, agile communicator who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can move seamlessly between projects, while remaining calm under pressure.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a proactive external communications strategy aligned with Rest’s brand, purpose, and strategic priorities.
• Lead strategic media engagement by working closely with the Senior Manager Media Relations and Senior Manager Consumer & Content to build and maintain strong relationships with key journalists and media outlets.
• Work with the Senior Manager Media Relations and Senior Manager Consumer & Content to identify, develop, and pitch proactive media opportunities that showcase Rest’s leadership, innovation, and member-first approach.
• Develop and maintain Rest’s external stakeholder engagement strategy and ensure consistent and aligned messaging across all external touchpoints.
• Oversee the development of high-quality external content including speeches, media releases, opinion pieces and briefing materials.
• Build strong relationships across internal stakeholder groups to surface stories, align messaging and support business initiatives.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure communications are informed, accurate and strategically aligned.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related discipline. 

Required experience, understanding or credentials including:

• Substantial experience in Communications or Corporate Affairs roles with a strong focus on external communications, media relations, and issues management.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic communication plans in complex high-profile environments.
• Extensive experience in proactive media engagement and storytelling, with strong media relationships.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing sensitive issues and crises with sound judgment and composure.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling, and strategic messaging.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, both internal and external, with the ability to influence and build trust.
•  Highly collaborative, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously. 
• Leadership and coaching experience.

Additional Information

Benefits

Our benefits have been designed so you can tailor your experience with us and include:

• Personal and professional development opportunities 
• Hybrid working 
• Purchase leave scheme and gender neutral 16 weeks paid parental leave 
• Super Contribution Continuation for 12 Months of parental leave 
• Meeting free breaks (Rest Stops) 
• Income Protection Insurance 
• Rest Excellence awards (peer recognition awards based on Rest’s values and behaviours) 

If you share our values, believe you can help make a difference for our members and want to be part of a leading superannuation fund with a Super culture, please click Apply Now.

Rest is committed to creating a flexible work environment and culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion - where people feel welcome, safe to be themselves and inspired to do their best.

We value the different backgrounds, lived experiences and abilities our diverse team brings. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all ages, cultural backgrounds, faiths, gender identities, sexual orientations and thinking styles. This includes people with disability, neurodiverse individuals, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples and those with disrupted work history due to career or other breaks.

Please note only people with the right to work in Australia will be considered.

*Funds under management as at 30 June 2023. Rest is recognised as a Responsible Investment Leader by the Responsible Investment Association Australia (RIAA) in its Responsible Investment Benchmark Report 2022.

Rest will review applications prior to the closing date and may close the role earlier