Matilda Hughes
Summary
An energetic senior communications and corporate affairs specialist with extensive experience delivering high-impact internal and external communication strategies, partnership initiatives and events in the public and private sectors. Expert in shaping complex and contentious information into clear, credible communications that build trust, understanding and support, to achieve organisational goals.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications and Engagement Officer, Redevelopme
Sydney Children's Hospital Network
Westmead, NSW
04.2026 - Current
- Development and delivery of strategic internal and external communications and engagement materials for The Children's Hospital at Westmead redevelopment project.
- Inform and engage stakeholders throughout the delivery, change management and commissioning periods of the project.
- Build strong, productive and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure risks, issues and opportunities are identified and addressed early.
- Develop content for the project for a range of channels, including intranet, website, social media, staff forums and other internal Network publications.
- Provide input into Ministerial briefs.
- Coordinate and manage internal events at the Network related to the project.
- Coordinated photography and video shoots on-site to ensure compliance with project guidelines.
- Development of project delivery footage log with identification of key messages, communications opportunities.
- Advised communications teams within the Network on strategic opportunities for utilising captured footage and content to enhance project visibility and engagement.
Corporate Affairs Specialist
Syngenta Australia New Zealand
Sydney, Australia
09.2022 - 12.2023
- Geographical scope: Australia and New Zealand.
- End-to-end development of effective internal and external communications campaigns to support business objectives and vision.
- Brand and reputation management by identifying and addressing internal and external engagement challenges, misinformation.
- High-impact external communications including media engagement, executive communications and crisis communications.
- Monitor, identify and report relevant media coverage to executive leaders, providing context, raising potential issues and advising appropriate internal and external response.
- Internal communications support to all regional business units to ensure clarity, accuracy and alignment with regional and international business, compliance with region-specific regulation laws and incorporation of effective engagement practices.
- Identify, establish and manage external partnerships and collaborative initiatives that build awareness of the company's scope, importance and contribution, and motivate positive action in support of the brand.
- Review and report detailed analysis of social media engagement and online discourse about the company, competitors and broader industry.
- Support and drive business sustainability through internal initiatives and programs aligned with business strategies and commitments.
- Develop and support internal working groups to deliver diversity and inclusion projects, environmental actions and social innovation projects.
Communications Advisor, Communications & Engagement
HealthShare NSW
Sydney, Australia
12.2021 - 09.2022
- Communications and Engagement Lead for Clinical Governance and Safety (CGS), Sustainability, and Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) business units.
- Development of internal communications strategies, campaigns and materials that navigate fatigue, change resistance and stress, to achieve organisational goals.
- Translation of complex, critical and controversial information into clear and simple concepts appropriate for front-line workers of different roles, in specific hospital environments.
- Analysis and assessment of communications use and audience engagement with information channels in hospital settings.
- Review and advise internal business units on the enhancement of communications and engagement in their day-to-day operations.
- Development of internal communications with sensitive navigation of conflicting views and interests of multiple stakeholders.
- Review and report on the engagement and effectiveness of communications campaigns and materials.
- Identify knowledge gaps and opportunities to apply new channels, processes and practices that enhance communications' effectiveness.
- Drive, monitor and report on stakeholder needs, interests and issues.
- Provide analysis and advice to manage organisational issues and risks.
- Development and monitoring of communications, design and web content to align with organisational branding and language guidelines.
- Mentorship of junior communications colleagues.
- Support and advise internal events, projects and collaborations on strategic approaches to achieve organisational goals.
Marketing and Communications Advisor
Buildcorp
Sydney, Australia
06.2021 - 11.2021
- Monitoring and communication of legislative changes and industry requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Member of the internal COVID-19 response committee.
- Development of internal and external crisis communications.
- Development of B2B marketing materials and strategy.
- Development and delivery of internal communications strategies.
- Management of company website, intranet and social media.
Communications Coordinator
Rozelle Interchange Project
Sydney, Australia
09.2019 - 05.2021
- Development and management of internal and external websites using Content Management Systems.
- Creation, planning, management and review of internal and external communications strategies.
- Creation of briefs and reporting tools to support technical teams.
- Management of print collateral and production.
- Support HR with development and implementation of People initiatives relating to social inclusion, diversity, health and wellbeing.
- Delivery of stakeholder and engagement events and site tours.
Communications Contractor
Downtown Magazine
Tamworth, Australia
06.2019 - 10.2019
Contract Events and Communications Coordinator
Tamworth Business Chamber
Tamworth, Australia
05.2019 - 08.2019
Journalist/Reporter
NBN News
Tamworth, Australia
03.2019 - 07.2019
Communications Contractor
ABC New England North West
Tamworth, Australia
01.2019 - 03.2019
Casual Reporter
WIN News Central West
, Australia
09.2018 - 01.2019
Education
Improvisational Acting -
Improv Theatre Sydney (ITS)
Sydney03-2026
Actors Studio Extension -
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
Sydney, NSW12-2025
Acting For Stage And Screen -
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
Sydney, NSW12-2023
Writing For Stage And Screen -
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
07-2023
Bachelor of Communications - Journalism
Charles Sturt University
Bathurst11-2018
Secondary School -
New England Girls' School
Armidale12-2014
Skills
- Strategic communications
- Campaign development
- Strategic content creation
- Engagement analysis
- Engagement analysis & advice
- Brand & reputation management
- Website management
- Stakeholder management
- Internal communications
- Stakeholder engagement
- Executive communications
- Project coordination
- Website development & management
- Microsoft 365
- Content creation
- News reporting
- Internal & external stakeholder management
Websites
Timeline
Communications and Engagement Officer, Redevelopme
Sydney Children's Hospital Network
04.2026 - Current
Corporate Affairs Specialist
Syngenta Australia New Zealand
09.2022 - 12.2023
Communications Advisor, Communications & Engagement
HealthShare NSW
12.2021 - 09.2022
Marketing and Communications Advisor
Buildcorp
06.2021 - 11.2021
Communications Coordinator
Rozelle Interchange Project
09.2019 - 05.2021
Communications Contractor
Downtown Magazine
06.2019 - 10.2019
Contract Events and Communications Coordinator
Tamworth Business Chamber
05.2019 - 08.2019
Journalist/Reporter
NBN News
03.2019 - 07.2019
Communications Contractor
ABC New England North West
01.2019 - 03.2019
Casual Reporter
WIN News Central West
09.2018 - 01.2019
Improvisational Acting -
Improv Theatre Sydney (ITS)
Actors Studio Extension -
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
Acting For Stage And Screen -
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
Writing For Stage And Screen -
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
Bachelor of Communications - Journalism
Charles Sturt University
Secondary School -
New England Girls' School