Director of Marketing and Communications

Position overview

Reporting to the CMO, the Director of Marketing & Communications is responsible for shaping and executing ACER’s enterprise-wide marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement strategy. The role provides strategic leadership to strengthen ACER’s brand, reputation and market position, translating organisational priorities into integrated plans, high-impact campaigns and stakeholder engagement initiatives that support growth, influence and long-term organisational objectives. 

The role leads the day-to-day management of the marketing and communications function and is accountable for the effective delivery of agreed business outcomes. Strategic positioning of ACER in the market, advocacy, corporate reputation, executive stakeholder relationships and enterprise-wide communications strategy remain the responsibility of the CMO.

The Director leads a team of nine and plays a central role in the implementation of ACER’s marketing and communication strategy across domestic and global markets.  The Director of Marketing & Communications plays a pivotal role in integrating and elevating ACER's marketing and communications functions, ensuring a unified, high-impact presence across all channels and markets. This role is central to ACER's ambition to grow its influence, expand its reputation, and communicate its impact clearly and compellingly to key audiences in Australia and globally.

Position context

For more than 95 years, the Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER) has been driven by a single purpose – to improve learning for all.  Founded in Australia in 1930, ACER began as a small team of researchers determined to bring rigour and evidence to education and assessment. Over the decades, that commitment has evolved into a global mission – combining world-class assessment and research to help learners, educators and systems understand what works in education, and why.

Today our work spans over 150 countries and reaches millions of learners from early childhood through to adulthood. Across our offices in Australia, India, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, nearly 500 dedicated people work alongside industry, governments, education systems, early learning institutes, schools, tertiary institutions, and international development agencies to turn research into action, and evidence into impact.

This role sits in the Marketing, Communications and Media (MCM) division which drives ACER's visibility, engagement and growth by delivering strategic, integrated business development, marketing, communications, stakeholder engagement, publishing and graphic design services across key audiences and markets. Through targeted campaigns, content strategy, brand stewardship and stakeholder relationships, the MCM team enhances ACER's reputation, supports revenue growth, and ensures consistent, high-impact messaging that advances the organisation's mission in Australia and globally.

Job responsibilities

Strategy Enablement

• Partner with the CMO, CEO, the Senior Executive Group (SEG) and the Global Senior Executive Group (GSEG) to build the marketing and communication strategy for ACER.
• Develop and implement annual marketing and communications plans aligned to ACER's strategic priorities and the direction set by the CMO.
• Lead the delivery of integrated marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement campaigns that strengthen ACER's visibility, reputation and commercial outcomes.
• Champion marketing and communications as strategic, mission-aligned enablers across the organisation.

Marketing and External Communications

• Manage go-to-market planning including marketing segmentation and strategic positioning and campaign development and implementation for ACER’s major products.
• Manage ACER's digital marketing activities, including social media, website content, digital campaigns and audience engagement initiatives.
• Lead the implementation of ACER's marketing technology roadmap, including website development, customer relationship management systems and customer engagement platforms.
• Oversee the development of marketing collateral, digital content, media materials, promotional campaigns and communication assets across all channels.
• Monitor marketing and communications performance, providing regular reporting, insights and recommendations to inform continuous improvement.
• Manage media including media planning, including media enquiries, content development, media opportunities and spokesperson support.
• Oversee the preparation of briefings, speeches, presentations, submissions and communication materials to support executive engagements.
• Lead the implementation of multi-channel brand campaigns.
• Lead responses to external communications issues and reputational matters, escalating significant or high-risk matters to the CMO as required.
• Support thought leadership initiatives by coordinating content development, publication programs, conferences and events and industry engagement opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Government Relations

• Develop and execute a stakeholder engagement plan to strengthen relationships with government, policymakers, partners, education sector leaders and key audiences.
• Support the CEO and senior executives in building influence and visibility with key decision-makers.
• Oversee the development of briefings, submissions and communications materials for high-level meetings and events.

Organisational accountabilities

Proactively work towards achieving individual, team and organisational objectives while demonstrating ACER's leadership behaviours:

• • Developing Self – involves self-management, self-reflection and self-improvement
  • Embracing Change – being open to change and leading change when appropriate
  • Pursuing Excellence – ongoing search for new and better ways of working
  • Setting Directions – strategic thinking and planning for the future
  • Supporting Colleagues – supporting and contributing to the development of others
  • Working Collaboratively – building highly effective internal and external relationships

• Actively work to create an equitable, fair and harmonious work environment which is free from harassment, bullying and discrimination by demonstrating respectful and courteous behaviour towards others.
• Proactively foster an inclusive and diverse work environment which encourages and respects different experiences and perspectives, and values diversity of thought.
• Comply with all occupational health and safety requirements, including following safe work practices for self and others and identifying, assessing, and mitigating psychosocial risks.
• Comply with all information security requirements, including completing regular security training and abiding by the standards and procedures laid out in ACER’s Information Security Management System.
• Work in accordance with ACER’s policies and procedures.

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Proven ability to lead and integrate complex marketing and communications portfolios at a senior level.
• At least 12 years’ experience in senior marketing and/or communications leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing integrated strategic communications and marketing plans that drive reputation, influence and commercial outcomes.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing, ecommerce strategies and digital communications platforms and analytics.
• Demonstrated experience in issues management, media relations, and stakeholder engagement at the executive or government level.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to build, coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Experience managing multi-channel campaigns, brands and budgets at scale.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing speeches, briefings and high-impact content for senior leaders and the CEO.
• Demonstrated ability to translate organisational strategy into measurable marketing and communications outcomes.
• Proven ability to prioritise effectively and deliver results in fast-paced, complex environments with multiple competing demands.
• Strong collaboration mindset and experience working across multiple time zones or cultures.

Desirable

• Knowledge or experience in the education or research sector.

Education