Media Lead

Company description:

About Us

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions and management across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to; improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria.

The Media team is a Group within the Department that is responsible for building relationships with journalists and media outlets, telling stories and communicating important information across Transport and Planning via media and digital channels.

Job description:

About the Role

*This is a Fixed Term Position until April 2025 - Melbourne or Bendigo Work Base

The exciting position is a crucial and senior role within the Media team.

The role involves working closely with journalists and internal and external stakeholders to deliver engaging content on a range of operational and policy issues as well as communicating important network updates to get Victorians where they need to go.

To be considered for this role you will need to have experience in media issues management and/or significant journalism experience and demonstrate strong writing, story-telling, relationship building and critical thinking skills. If you thrive in a fast paced, high pressure, dynamic environment and also enjoy mentorng more junior advisors then don't scroll pastthis role.

PD link here. PD- Media Lead VPS5 Position 70000740 (Feb 2024) .pdf (dropbox.com)

Position Outcomes / Accountabilities

• Apply sound research and written communications skills to produce accurate, easily understood media materials.
• Develop and lead strategies for key Departmental business areas, projects and programs.
• Provide sound media and communications advice to senior managers and executives.
• Exercise professional independent judgement to identify proactive media opportunities and escalate emerging media and reputational issues.
• Build strong working relationships with key media contacts.
• Deliver high quality media events.
• Ability to support the Media Manager
• Form part of a 24-hour on-call roster to ensure media enquiries are addressed in an effective and timely manner.

Key Selection Criteria

To be successful in the role the ideal candidate will be someone with demonstrated experience in media issues management, adept at crafting end-to-end media strategies and plans.

• Demonstrated experience in media issues management, including developing end-to-end media strategies and plans.
• Proven ability to proactively identify opportunities and maximise media opportunities in line with the organisation's objectives and achievements while exercising sound judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal skills, including the ability to prepare spokespeople for media interviews.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop strong, effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Good time management skills
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and demonstrate leadership and strong mentoring skills, proactively providing support to other team members as needed as well as an ability to operate independently where required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Authentic relationships: Building strong relationships through strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Enabling delivery: Enabling development and delivery of effective solutions through critical thinking and problem solving and political and organisational awareness

Personal Attributes

On a personal level you will be flexible and adaptable and enjoy building and maintaining strong relationships with a variety of people

Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory

• An appropriate tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in journalism, public relations, communications, or a similar discipline.

Desirable

• Experience in leading a small team or mentoring and supporting other team members. An ability to support the media manager, including possible backfill opportunities, would be desirable.

What we offer

• Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable.
• Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services
• A hybrid working model focused on collaboration and teamwork.
• Optimal work-life balance initiatives including flexible working arrangements.
• We prioritise the development of a safe and inclusive culture.

Cultural Values

We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At our Department, we prioritize the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.

How to Apply

Click the ‘Apply' button and follow the prompts. Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Applications close 11.00pm on Sunday the 24th of March 2024.

For further information about the role please contact

Stuart Fletcher - Media Manager via stuart.fletcher@transport.vic.gov.au of or 0417951703

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.