Senior Manager Strategic Communications & Pr - Hawthorn East

We’ve been trusted to serve Aussie communities since 1914 and grown to become a top 30-listed on the ASX with over 115,000 team members and a portfolio of iconic brands. At Coles Group, you’ll not only get to make a difference to millions of Aussie lives—you’ll also get to see your impact.

About the team

Corporate and Indigenous Affairs is the voice of Coles Group internally and externally. We collaborate with stakeholders across our business to better connect and deliver for our customers and each other. By working together, we further strengthen the trust and relatability our brands are known for across Australia.

About the role

As our new Senior Manager, Strategic Communications & PR, you’ll be given the chance to make a real impact on the future of Coles’ reputation, working with a household name that millions of Australians interact with every week. You’ll be at the forefront of major media moments, working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your ideas can shape national conversations. If you’re a strategic, creative, and influential communications leader ready to drive one of Australia’s most high-profile PR narratives, we’d love to hear from you!

What you’ll be doing

• Reporting to the Head of External Communications & Community Engagement, you’ll lead a high-performing team of 5 communications professionals, overseeing consumer PR and strategic comms while working closely with senior leaders, including the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
• You’ll drive the external communications strategy, ensuring our stories land with impact, and our brand narrative remains strong, credible, and engaging.
• Develop & execute innovative consumer PR & strategic communications campaigns that enhance Coles’ reputation.
• Lead and mentor a team of experienced communications professionals, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Drive strong media relationships, leveraging your established national network to amplify key messages.
• Manage external PR agencies, ensuring high-quality execution and return on investment.
• Support reputation management efforts, working alongside the Head of External Comms to navigate high-profile issues.
• Act as a key advisor to senior leadership, ensuring alignment between business objectives and public communication strategies.
• Track and report on communications outcomes, measuring the effectiveness of campaigns.

About you and your skills

• You hold tertiary qualifications with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, PR, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• With 12–15 years’ experience in consumer PR & strategic communications (FMCG, retail, or supermarket sector preferred), you have a proven track record of managing large-scale PR campaigns for major consumer brands.
• Strong media relationships with national and mainstream media outlets.
• Experience in issues management & crisis communications at a senior level.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with experience managing high-performing teams.
• Outstanding written & verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages.
• A strategic & creative thinker who can turn business objectives into impactful storytelling.
• Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced, high-profile media environment.

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hot deals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities. We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability.