89842 - Senior Writer

Who We Are
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) tells the national story by collecting, preserving, and sharing Australia's rich history of audiovisual media and the cultural experience platforms of our time.
The NFSA collection of over 4 million items is diverse, dynamic and often surprising, representing moving image and sound production from its earliest days to the present. From television to TikTok, vintage to video, polyester film to podcast, we collect and preserve materials from the analogue era through to the formats of the 20th century, and now the assets of the digital age.
In 2021, items from the NFSA’s collection were viewed more than 121 million times nationwide, making it one of the nation's most vital cultural resources. The institution is investing in a comprehensive digital transformation program, during which more of the items in our care will be digitised for preservation and become more readily searchable and accessible to all Australians.

Who We’re Looking For
The Senior Writer will be crucial to our digital transformation ambitions, helping build national audiences for the collection through improved online services and content offerings that will be brought alive through a compelling and dynamic institutional voice.
You’ll introduce a new generation to precious Australian film and television via short and long-form features, capture the ears of audio lovers as the NFSA launches into podcasting, and tell the national story to more Australians by executing the NFSA's expansive editorial strategy.
The Senior Writer will be a key Marketing and Communications team member led by the Chief Marketing Officer. The Marketing and Communications branch contains Editorial and Content, Marketing and Design, Communications, and Digital Audiences.
We’re located across Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne –this position is based at the NFSA’s Sydney office in Pyrmont.

Job Description

This ongoing position requires an expert and creative Senior Writer to create best-in-class features across all its publishing platforms. Working closely with the NFSA’s Editorial and Content Director, this role will be critical in extending the organisation’s audience and reach. As such, they must possess excellent writing, research, interviewing and editing skills, a passion for digital publishing, and the ability to deliver pacy storytelling across multiple platforms.

Under the broad direction, the Senior Writer will undertake the following duties:

Writing & Content Production
NFSA’s publishing activity is focused on revealing and interpreting the national audiovisual collection. Activity ranges from research-driven feature articles to short topical pieces.

The experienced Senior Writer will:

• Pitch features and execute editorial plans and strategies to satisfy multiple audience segments.
• Create short-form, long-form and rich media reporting pieces that hero the national audiovisual collection through the lens of current news and events.  
• Commission and re-cutting stories to optimise them across different delivery platforms.
• Engage content production services, including audio and video recording, editing, and preparation for digital platforms.
• Script development and storyboarding.
• Edit and proofread content for accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
• Contribute to select marketing, social media and institutional messaging.
• Basic content production using desktop tools.

Best-Practice Analysis & Insights

• Analyse a range of data sources to identify strengths and areas for improvement, including in-depth content performance evaluation and deriving actionable insights to bolster content planning and delivery.
• Collaborate with the Digital Audiences Manager to review audience behaviour and responses to platforms and content, using insights to improve audience experience.
• Share publishing and technology trends, competitor activities and industry insights, looking for opportunities to improve content efficiency and boost team capability.

Platform & Product Development
As part of NFSA's digital strategy, the institution aims to launch a new website in 2025 that will – for most Australians – represent the total experience of the institution. As a content destination, it will meet or exceed the expectations of contemporary audiences in terms of discoverability and accessibility, offering relevant, vibrant, and valuable content from the collection. The Senior Writer role will work closely with the marketing and digital teams responsible for developing the new website to:

• Contribute to the content strategy, particularly in the creation of written materials to guide discovery of the collection, position the NFSA’s activities, and support content migration to the new content management system (CMS).
• In addition to the website, the role will develop relevant and engaging content for use in other digital formats, including podcasting.

General

• Daily management of the editorial and content calendar under the direction of the Editorial & Content Director.
• Maintain style guides and editorial standards,
• Manage resources to the highest possible standard,
• Deliver regular reporting, insights and analysis.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure content meets the needs of the organisation, including Marketing and Communications, Curatorial staff, Indigenous Connections, Rights and Licensing, and Collection Management

This job description is not all-encompassing. Over time, the emphasis may evolve without changing the general character of the position. Duties may be reviewed and updated in consultation with you to reflect strategic and organisational changes.

Selection Criteria

• At least seven years’ experience in a writing and content production role.
• Excellent editorial judgment, particularly during breaking news or culturally important events.
• A demonstrated ability to increase audiences through compelling storytelling.
• Highly developed communication, organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships across various stakeholders.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong digital innovation instincts and knowledge of contemporary online publishing trends.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to translate in-house expertise and collection assets into absorbing features: long-form, short-form and rich media.
• Enthusiastic and knowledgeable engagement with Australian culture. NFSA's collection offers content opportunities, including topics such as history, comedy, science, sports, news, gaming and popular culture, across all audiovisual formats, including film, music, television, podcast and radio.
  

Desired Skills and Experience

The successful candidate may have prior experience in roles such as:

• Features writer
• Journalist
• Media producer
• Publications or content production within a significant cultural or arts organisation

While demonstrated working experience and achievement are essential, candidates may also hold relevant formal qualifications in fields such as:

• Media and communications
• Journalism
• Library, museum or archive practice
• History
• Audiovisual culture (e.g., film or internet studies)

Eligibility
To be eligible for this position, you must:

• Be an Australian Citizen
• Satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check

If appointed, you will also be required to:

• Obtain and maintain an Australian Government Baseline Security Clearance
• Obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People registration.

Applications & Assessment Process
In applying for this position, please provide:

• A resume of no more than three pages.
• A statement addressing the above selection criteria and how your skills and experiences align with the advertised role (no more than three pages).
• Samples of published writing and content, with links where available (no more than three pages).

The assessment process for this position may also include:

• Interview
• Referee checking
• A writing task

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disability, the LGBTQIA+ communities, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to and support for these principles in theory and practice.

Contact Officer
Kate Scott | Editorial & Content Director
E: Kate.Scot@nfsa.gov.au
P: 02 8202 0186