Manager, Media and Communications, ATN

• Full-time, 6 Month Fixed Term position  
• Salary Level HEW 8  + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements
• Based at the RMIT Melbourne CBD campus, and hybrid ways of working

About You 

The Manager, Media and Communications is a senior leadership position and responsible for the management of ATN’s media and communications  portfolio  which  is  critical  in  supporting  our  strategy  to  be Australia’s  most  trusted  and dynamic university grouping. Reporting  to  the  Executive  Director  (ED),  the Manager  will  have  responsibility  for  ATN’s  media  management,  communications  and  content  curation. The role also  has  responsibility  to  boost  our  overall  share of voice in the national media, increase media and public affairs opportunities for our Chair and ED, leverage our voice to benefit our six universities, as well as support our significant program of public affairs and policy advocacy. The Manager will be  required  to  cultivate  and  maintain  relationships  with key  media  contacts and journalists across  print  and  broadcast  media,  social  media  and  other  emerging channels, including  key  editors  and  writers  in  education,  members of the national  press  gallery,  national  and  local  broadcasting,  and  social  media  outlets.  This  role  has  both  national  and  international  reach  and  will  rely  heavily  on  continued engagement  with the Directors  of  Communications,  Vice-Chancellors’  media  teams, as  well  as  corporate  communication areas across our universities. The  role  will  work  closely with key  government  media  contacts  within Ministerial  and  Shadow  Ministerial   offices,  and identifying and establishing relationships   and   partnerships   with   current,   new   and   emerging   stakeholders who influence the public affairs and media landscape across Australia. This role will help ensure ATN’s advocacy and successes are given voice throughout national and international media. With responsibility for creating and posting high-level content, the Manager will need exceptional writing and sub-editing skills to  deliver  key  products  including  ATN’s  key  messages, speeches,  media  releases  and  opinion  pieces  in collaboration  with  Executive  Director. The  Manager  will  supervise  the  Marketing  and  Communications  Officer  and  a  Communications  Intern. They  will  also  have  responsibility  for  management  of  our  media  analytics,  media  monitoring  capability,  website and social media channels. 

To be successful in this position, you’ll have as a minimum:  

• Well-developed skills in driving media relationships with senior journalists in national/state politics. 

• Demonstrated experience operating in the national Australian media market. 

• Well-developed skills and experience in pitching, placing and developing stories with senior journalists in national media. 

• Exceptional writing and editing skills and demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise and well-presented written material in both long and short form (speeches, media releases and opinion pieces). 

• Demonstrated strong working knowledge and utilisation of different channels, like traditional media and social media, for different levels of impact. 

• Demonstrated experience utilising media analytics to provide high level analysis on strategic approaches. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder relationships with diplomacy, sensitivity, confidentiality and tact as required. 

• Strong organisational and time management skills, including demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines. 

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a reactive environment and balancing unanticipated and planned work activities. 

• Proven creative and solutions-focused mindset. 

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check. 

About the ​Portfolio​ 

Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) is a national Australian higher education peak body, with six universities (with a strong presence both nationally and internationally and in key metropolitan and regional media markets). 

Our universities are Deakin University, Curtin University, RMIT University, The University of Newcastle, University of South Australia, and University of Technology Sydney. Collectively, ATN educates 19 percent of all students in Australia and are the destination of choice for 18 per cent of Australia’s international students. 

Established in 1999, ATN undertakes policy, advocacy, public affairs and national media work to benefit the shared interest of our six large, world-class Australian universities. 

The ATN Directorate serves its members through a wide range of activities, including policy analysis and development, while ensuring the voice of our membership is heard at all levels of government, as well as in and through media channels throughout Australia as well as internationally. 

Regarded as Australia’s most innovative and enterprising grouping, ATN prides itself on its shared mission to ensure Australia’s higher education system remains open, fair and accessible, as well as meeting the needs of industry, particularly Australia’s 2.3 million SMEs. 

The Directorate is led by the Executive Director and is based at RMIT’s City Campus in Melbourne. 

RMIT University is the employing agent for ATN staff. 

To Apply  

Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing ​your suitability​ for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.  

Don't wait until the last minute! Here’s a chance to join the energetic, game-changing team at ATN Universities. We will be actively reviewing candidates as applications come in. Submit your application now to ensure you're part of the consideration process. Your next career move awaits!  

For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Frank Coletta via email [email protected]

Position Description - Manager, Media and Communications, ATN

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Applications Close:
16 Feb 2024 11.59 pm

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to  being  a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Isla n der community.  

At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT. To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Kassie (Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor), via [email protected] or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers .

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