Media & Communications Specialist

Ready to help shape the voice of an iconic animal welfare brand?

NFP | $80k p.a. +Superannuation | Reporting to: Head of Marketing and Digital

Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) is looking for a rising communications professional with big ideas, sharp judgement and a genuine love for animals. If you want a high-growth role with real visibility, this is your chance to help write AWLQ’s next chapter.

Founded in 1959, Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) is a community-funded charity that provides practical relief to people who care for companion animals when crisis, financial hardship, housing insecurity, illness or family violence puts that bond at risk, helping them keep, or safely care for, the animals they love. Through five rehoming centres across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ipswich, four Community Vet Clinics and nine thrift shops, AWLQ last year provided discounted veterinary care to 6,235 people facing hardship, delivered 1,176 nights of emergency boarding and 43,267 pet food meals, and found homes for more than 7,500 animals.

The Opportunity

AWLQ is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history. We are building a more modern, data-informed and creatively ambitious marketing and communications function—and we are looking for a Media and Communications Specialist who is ready to grow with us.

Reporting to the Head of Marketing and Digital, you will work closely with the CEO and members of the leadership team to uncover stories, shape priority communications and help bring AWLQ’s ambitions to life. You will work with your brand and content colleagues, frontline teams and external specialists to build earned-media presence, create compelling editorial content and deliver campaigns that move people to care, act and support.

This is a career-accelerating opportunity for someone ready to step up: a role where you can build trusted media relationships, turn complex work into clear and human stories, experiment with smarter content production and use data to learn what works. You will be part of an innovative team that wants to push the boundaries of content, technology and insight—while keeping the wellbeing of animals at the heart of every decision. If you love animals and want your work to matter, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Media relations and PR: Build proactive relationships with journalists and media outlets; prepare releases, pitches, statements and briefing materials; coordinate timely responses to enquiries; and monitor coverage and emerging issues.
• Editorial and copy: Write, edit and quality-assure clear, accurate and engaging communications for campaigns, publications, newsletters, EDMs, websites, stakeholder updates and internal channels.
• Internal and external communications: Work with various stakeholders to develop strong messaging frameworks, audience-ready copy, joint stakeholder announcements and integrated communications activity.
• Leadership-team storytelling: Work closely with the CEO, executive leaders and subject matter experts to identify significant stories, develop authentic narratives and support well-judged public communications.
• Reputation and issues: Apply approved media and brand protocols, support designated spokespeople with critical messaging, and escalate sensitive, factual or reputational matters promptly and professionally.
• Content, data and innovation: Use audience insight, media monitoring and campaign data to improve communications; embrace approved AI, content and workflow tools; and help test smarter ways to produce, repurpose and measure high-quality content.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Tertiary qualification in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in media relations, public relations, corporate communications, journalism or a closely related role; a strong portfolio of writing or campaign work will be valued.
• Exceptional writing, editing, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to adapt a message for different audiences and channels.
• The judgement and confidence to manage sensitive information, seek the right approvals and contribute calmly to reputation or issues communications.
• A talent for turning complex operational information into clear, accurate and engaging stories that make people care and act.
• Strong relationship-building skills and confidence engaging with media, senior leaders, frontline teams, subject matter experts and external partners.
• Curiosity about data and performance, with the ability to use media, audience or campaign insight to improve communications and content decisions.
• Confidence using modern communications and productivity tools, including Microsoft Office, project-management platforms, CMS, CRM or EDM systems, media-monitoring tools and approved generative-AI tools.
• Excellent planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage concurrent briefs, deadlines and changing priorities without compromising quality.
• A genuine love for animals, alignment with AWLQ’s values and flexibility to work reasonable additional or out-of-hours periods when an event, campaign or media issue requires.

Personal Attributes

• A purpose-led communicator who genuinely loves animals and wants their work to improve lives.
• Ambitious and growth-minded: energised by stretch opportunities, constructive feedback and building new capability.
• A collaborative, curious team player who thrives in a fast-paced, transformation-focused environment.
• A creative and analytical thinker with strong attention to detail, sound judgement and a continuous-improvement mindset.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in a newsroom, media, public relations or communications agency environment.
• Experience supporting fundraising, advocacy, community-engagement, crisis or issues communications
• Experience in community services, not-for-profit or other purpose-led organisations.

We Offer

• A career-defining role with meaningful exposure to the leadership team, where your ideas can help shape the next chapter of a trusted 67-year-old brand.
• Flexible work arrangements and access to a hybrid work policy to support work-life balance.
• A convenient Coombabah (Gold Coast) location with free onsite parking, plus employee discounts on pet food and veterinary services.
• Cute animals