Head of Government and Stakeholder Communications

Head of Government and Stakeholder Communications

• Shape REA Group’s voice with government, regulators, industry bodies and key external stakeholders
• Senior 12-month fixed-term opportunity at the intersection of policy, advocacy and strategic communications
• Lead federal and state government relations while driving high-impact corporate communications and issues management

We’re REA

With bold and ambitious goals, REA Group is changing the way the world experiences property. No matter where you're at on your property journey, we're here to help with every step - whether that's finding or financing your next home. Our people are the key to our success.

At the heart of everything we do, is a thriving culture centred around high performance and care. We are purpose driven and collaborative, which drives innovation and our ability to make a real impact.

As such, we’re proud to have been named one of Australia’s Best Workplaces four times since 2021 — including third place in 2025 — plus Best Workplace for Women in 2023 and Best Workplace in Technology in 2024 and 2025. These listings are testament to every person who helps make REA a great place to work.

Where the team fits in

The Corporate Affairs team exists to positively impact REA Group’s brand and reputation.

Corporate Affairs supports the delivery of REA Group’s strategic priorities and objectives through media relations, corporate communications, issues management and crisis communication, government and public affairs, industry relations, digital communications, thought leadership and reputation management.

This role sits within Corporate Affairs and works closely across the business, including Customer, Product, Financial Services and other key functions, to ensure stakeholder engagement and external communications are aligned to commercial priorities and reflect the breadth of REA Group’s capabilities and ambitions.

What the role is all about

This is a senior 12-month fixed-term opportunity within the Corporate Affairs function, responsible for shaping and protecting REA Group’s reputation with government, regulators, industry bodies and key external stakeholders across Australia.

The role sits at the intersection of policy, advocacy and strategic communications, and suits someone who can operate with authority at the most senior levels of government and industry while ensuring REA Group’s narrative is coherent, consistent and compelling across external audiences.

Day to day, you can expect to:

• Lead REA Group’s federal and state government relations program, building trusted relationships with Ministers, Shadow Ministers, departmental officials and regulators across housing, property, data, financial services and technology.
• Develop a proactive government affairs strategy that ensures REA Group’s voice helps shape key policy discussions.
• Represent REA Group in industry forums, working groups and with peak bodies, positioning the organisation as a credible and constructive participant in policy outcomes.
• Provide strategic advice to the Executive Leadership Team on political and regulatory risk, emerging policy trends and legislative developments.
• Build and manage a network of senior external relationships across government, industry associations, advocacy groups and key commentators.
• Lead the development of submissions, briefings and position papers, alongside proactive external communications strategies that strengthen REA Group’s reputation.
• Collaborate closely with Customer, Product and Financial Services teams so stakeholder and government engagement reflects the full scope of REA Group’s businesses and priorities.
• Support quarterly financial reporting and M&A communications through external stakeholder context and narrative management.
• Contribute to and execute issues management across both government and corporate communications, including identifying emerging risks and developing response strategies.
• Work closely with the GM Corporate Affairs and Executive team to provide rapid communications counsel on issues and reputational risks.
• Actively leverage AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance stakeholder engagement, communications planning and issues management.
• Contribute to the overall Corporate Affairs strategy and identify opportunities to elevate REA Group’s profile as Australia’s property data powerhouse.

Who we’re looking for…

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded communications and government affairs professional who brings deep knowledge of the Australian political landscape and a track record of operating at senior levels.

You’ll likely bring:

• 7+ years in government-specific roles plus 5–10 years in corporate communications and/or adjacent government roles.
• Extensive experience engaging with and influencing Australian federal and state governments, regulators and public sector stakeholders.
• Established networks across government, the public service and industry, with the credibility and gravitas to build new relationships at pace.
• Deep understanding of legislative and regulatory processes, and the ability to translate policy developments into clear strategic implications for the business.
• Experience developing and delivering effective advocacy strategies, including submissions, briefings and stakeholder engagement campaigns.
• Strong corporate communications capability, including developing and implementing communications strategies that support business objectives and protect reputation.
• Excellent media instincts and the ability to identify and drive proactive storytelling opportunities, including translating complex property and economic data into compelling narratives.
• Proven experience managing sensitive issues and reputational risks with sound judgement and composure under pressure.
• Experience advising C-suite and senior executive stakeholders on external communications and reputational risk.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to craft high-quality materials across a range of formats and audiences.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to and executing issues management and crisis communications across government affairs and corporate communications contexts.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to influence outcomes across a complex, matrixed organisation without direct authority
• Experience partnering with commercial, product and financial services teams to align external engagement with broader business strategy
• The confidence to operate independently and make well-reasoned calls in ambiguous or high-pressure situations
• A genuine interest in how AI tools can be applied to communications and government affairs work, and the curiosity to keep pace with evolving capabilities

The REA experience

• The physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our people is something we’ll never stop caring about. This is a place to learn and grow.

Some of our Perks & Benefits include: 

• A hybrid and flexible approach to working
• Flexible leave options including, birthday leave and purchase additional leave
• Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers
• Our Because We Care program offers employees volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving and our Community Café donates 100% of revenue to charity
• Hackdays so you can bring your big ideas to life  

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  

We are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe teams with diverse ideas and experiences are more creative, more effective and fuel disruptive thinking. If you've got the skills, dedication and enthusiasm to learn but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch.

Join our Talent Neighbourhood

Keen to be part of REA but didn't find a perfect match with this opportunity? Perhaps the timing isn't right? https://rea.to/careers-talentneighbourhood

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