Senior Manager, Communications & Government Relations | Dana

_{16th October, 2026}

• Lead a small team and partner closely with a purpose-driven CEO
• Challenge assumptions and influence national conversations
• REMOTE role l Regular national travel l SCHADS Award Level 8

 
Your Impact
 
At DANA, communications is advocacy. Your role will help shape public debate, influence policy and amplify the expertise and experiences of people with disability. You'll strengthen DANA's voice and help drive systemic change.
 
The Role 
 
Reporting to the CEO, you'll lead a small, dispersed team and oversee communications and government relations. This hands-on senior role connects policy, evidence and lived experience, combining strategic advice, media engagement and high-quality delivery in a fast-paced environment.
 
Specifically, you will:

• Lead and develop a small communications team.
• Build and strengthen strategic relationships across media and government, working collaboratively with DANA's CEO and Policy and Advocacy leadership to maximise opportunities for influence.
• Develop strategic government relations and engagement approaches aligned with DANA's advocacy priorities and political opportunities.
• Monitor political and policy developments, identify opportunities and risks for DANA, and advise on how the organisation can position itself to influence emerging issues.
• Prepare media releases, speeches, briefings and CEO communications.
• Oversee communications planning, publications and organisational messaging.

Regular travel is required, averaging approximately twice a month.
 
The Organisation
 
Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) is the national representative body for independent disability advocacy organisations across Australia. Proudly disability-led, DANA works to strengthen the disability advocacy sector, influence national policy and ensure the expertise and experiences of people with disability shape decisions that affect their lives.
 
For further details, please visit: https://www.dana.org.au/
 
What You Bring
 
You're a politically astute communications, media or public affairs leader who understands how to influence government, shape public debate and turn complex issues into compelling messages. You bring sound judgement, exceptional writing skills and the ability to move between strategic advice and hands-on delivery. You're also an experienced, collaborative leader who can support a dispersed team to do its best work.
 
Your background may be in strategic communications, journalism, political or ministerial communications, government relations, public affairs or a purpose-driven organisation working to influence policy and systemic change.
 
Key capabilities include:

• Strong media relationships and an understanding of government and political processes.
• Experience in strategic communications, media relations and policy advocacy.
• Exceptional writing skills and sound judgement under pressure.
• Proven people management skills and a collaborative leadership style.
• Strong understanding of disability rights and disability-led practice, with a demonstrated commitment to the rights and inclusion of people with disability. ,
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams while operating with a high degree of autonomy.

DANA welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, particularly people with disability and people with lived experience of disability. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support your participation.
 
Questions?

Please review the advertisement thoroughly, and if indicated above, the client website. If you have questions that are not covered there, please email hello@socialimpactcareers.com.au (no applications here please) with the specific questions and we’ll respond as soon as we can.
  
How to Apply

As we are retained to recruit this role, all third-party and indirect applications will be forwarded to Social Impact Careers.
  
Please send your CV and a brief cover letter highlighting how your interests, skills and experience align with the selection criteria under “What You Bring” above. 
  
To ensure your application is received correctly, please click the 'Apply Now' button.

Closing Date

Recruitment will commence as soon as suitable applications are received, and the role may close once sufficient suitable applications are collected. Don’t wait - please apply as soon as possible.