Communications & Operations Coordinator

We are seeking a part time (4 days per week) Communications & Operations Coordinator to contribute to Balarinji’s Studio team.

Balarinji has a rich and inclusive team culture including a commitment to employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those from other diverse backgrounds. 

Balarinji is Australia’s longest established and most highly awarded Indigenous design, public art and strategy agency. We are Sydney-based and Aboriginal-owned. Our “why” is to amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, voices and narratives authentically, to create impactful change for a new, shared Australian identity through design excellence.

Balarinji was founded in 1983 by our Emeritus Chair, Yanyuwa man John Moriarty and Managing Director and Creative Executive, Ros Moriarty. Our founders are recognised for their design excellence and unparalleled contribution to building bridges of best practice participation between Aboriginal communities, business and the broader community.

Balarinji’s national and international projects span graphic design, branding, digital, infrastructure, urban design, precinct planning, public art and curatorial, and interiors.

The Communications & Operations Coordinator is a dynamic role that integrates communications support with daily operational and administrative functions across the Studio. Working closely with the Head of Communications, you will help amplify Balarinji’s brand by supporting digital campaigns, social media management, awards submissions and event coordination. Simultaneously, you will serve as an operational champion, supporting the effective and efficient functioning of the team. This position is ideal for a proactive coordinator who has an interest in communications, thrives on variety, brings exceptional attention to detail, and enjoys collaborating across the business to support a values-driven creative team.

Communications

• Support general communications, digital marketing and marketing activities, including regular reporting and evaluation.
• Assist with planning, managing, creating, monitoring and posting content for social media.
• Assist with managing the Balarinji website and its content.
• Manage the MailChimp database and assist with creating email campaigns.
• Provide support across the studio to set up and utilise AI tools for drafting communications, including inputting information into Google Gemini and NotebookLM.
• Coordinate and provide support for communication events, such as speaking opportunities and in-person interviews.
• Coordinate award submissions, including researching requirements, sourcing images, drafting background documents and uploading submissions.

Operations

• Onboard and offboard users for company systems including Asana and Google Workspace, and develop knowledge and skills to act as a system champion.
• Provide basic training to new Balarinji employees on company systems.
• Support the updating and implementation of Balarinji policies.
• Support recruitment processes, new employee onboarding and admin as needed.
• Update, maintain and monitor the asset register including IT hardware, mobile phones etc
• Support and coordinate travel bookings when required.
• Liaise with the Moriarty Foundation Operations Coordinator to manage office supplies and services.
• Coordinate meetings and events, including catering when required.

Administration

• Efficient, logical, and structured file management of all collateral and documents on the Balarinji server.
• Manage workflow, task assignments and recording of timesheets in Workflow Max, Asana and Smartsheets systems.

• Diploma or Bachelor degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or related discipline
• 2+ years in a communications, public relations, marketing or administrative role
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to build positive and respectful
• working relationships.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (Mac platform).
• Strong digital capability, with confidence using databases and online platforms.
• Experience using project and workflow management platforms (e.g. Asana) or demonstrated ability to quickly learn new systems.

• An opportunity to be a part of an established, dynamic, high profile Aboriginal design agency.
• A comfortable and social office environment in Crows Nest, close to transport.
• A small team where like-minded people enjoy great work, and where your career is supported and developed.
• Flexible working, 3 days in the office 2 days working from home (for full time employees).
• Birthday day off at full pay.
• Competitive salary on offer.

You will be joining a high-performance team that shares values and is committed to diversity and equality – we are a long term, proactive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employer, and we also reflect the broader cultural diversity of contemporary Australia. A positive team culture is the driver of all we do at Balarinji. If you meet some but not all of the criteria, please get in touch as we would love to talk to you.