Media and Communications Specialist

ABOUT US

Chisholm is Victoria’s premier public vocational education and training provider, with campuses located across Melbourne and the southeast.

Each year, we welcome some 41,000 students from over 43 culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. More than 1,400 passionate and dedicated Chisholm employees work together to deliver quality training and education in Melbourne’s south east manufacturing heartland and key residential growth corridor.

A Victorian Government-owned TAFE, we aim to lead the way in education and training to inspire success and transform lives.

Our purpose is to excel in education and training and be respected and valued for enhancing the social and economic futures of individuals, industry and communities.

Our drive for commercial success is underpinned by our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity and Respect.

In the past 20 years, we have grown significantly to become a multi-sector institute, delivering a broad range of education and training programs and services in higher education, vocational education and training (VET) and school sectors across ten campuses in Victoria, online, in the workplace and overseas with partner educational and government organisations.

We offer more than 400 courses, from Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)/Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM)/Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS), through to nationally accredited qualifications such as certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, degrees, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and short courses.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Media and Communications Specialist identifies external communications opportunities (including media relations, awards and events) that amplify Chisholm’s strategic vision and priorities, values, and the success of the Chisholm community, utilising strong media relationships and have a deep understanding of media strategy, issues management and reputation management.

The role requires using your exceptional storyteller skills as well as your ability to convey complex information in simple language.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated external communications experience, including identifying media stories/angles, developing and implementing media strategies, briefing senior stakeholders and managing issues.

Your key accountabilities will include:

• Developing positive media relationships with a deep understanding of the Australian media landscape and developing and implementing holistic media strategies, including messaging, spokesperson profile building and issues/crisis management.
• Briefing senior stakeholders to carry out media interviews and provide coaching.
• Working collaboratively across business areas, engaging key stakeholders develop a regular cadence of proactive media stories.
• Identifying and coordinating external amplification opportunities including but not limited to awards, events and speaking opportunities.
• Providing confident, professional and effective customer service to all staff, students and external contacts.
• Reviewing the effectiveness of external communications and make recommendations to improve approaches, policies and procedures.
• Maintaining an advanced knowledge of communications tools and media platforms.

ABOUT YOU

You will have a relevant degree and relevant experience; or lesser formal qualifications with substantial experience and specialist expertise or broad knowledge in external communications, media relations and storytelling.

You will be competent in the development and execution of external communications plans, have proven media relationships experience with an understanding of the media landscape as well as experience developing and implementing media strategy.

Crucial to your success will be your ability to follow the Chisholm brand, tone and writing guidelines, your good understanding of data analysis and reporting methodologies as well as your high level of enthusiasm, flexibility, self-motivation, and initiative.

BELONGING AND INCLUSION

Chisholm is resolutely diverse. We celebrate our people’s unique contributions to achieving our ambition to transform lives through relevant and responsive high-quality education. Chisholm’s culture of Belonging & Inclusion strives to promote a self-regulating culture that enhances the experiences of our employees, students and communities.

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to a fair and equitable merit-based recruitment process for all our candidates. If you have specific accessibility or support requirements please contact our People, Culture & Safety Team at ******@chisholm.edu.au

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. If you have specific support requirements please contact our People, Culture & Safety Team at ******@chisholm.edu.au

Chisholm has zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of harm to children. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated consistently in accordance with Chisholm policy and procedure.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for this position close 9am Monday 12 February 2024.

Applications should include:

• a covering letter
• curriculum vitae (CV)
• contact details of three (3) referees

Appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory completion of Safety Screening requirements including but not limited to:

• valid Employee Working With Children Check
• National Police Check
• International Police Check (if applicable)
• verification of unrestricted work rights in Australia, eg citizenship, passport or birth certificate
• certified copies of qualifications and transcripts as listed in your CV.

If you have any questions regarding the position or require further information please contact Alicia Pridgeon, Head of Marketing & Communications: ***************@chisholm.edu.au

Chisholm Institute reserves the right to withdraw an advertised position at any stage.