Media and Public Affairs Advisor

Job no: 0037329
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time; Continuing
Department/School: Strategy and Culture
Salary: UOM 7 – $98,402 – $106,519 p.a. plus 17% super 

• Opportunities to develop your career and take it to the next level 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements  
• Competitive salary package  UOM 7 – $98,402 – $106,519 p.a. plus 17% super 

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands. 

About Strategy and Culture, Communications and Markting
The University’s Communications and Marketing function provides strategic, advisory and operational services to support the academic mission and the University strategy. It fosters a culture of best practice and collaboration across the University’s communication and marketing teams and stakeholders and uses data-driven insights to inform decision-making across the University.
 
About the Role
As a Media and Public Affairs Advisor, your primary responsibility will be to support the Media and Public Affairs Team in developing, implementing, and evaluating proactive and reactive media strategies to enhance the University's brand and reputation. You will report to the Head of Public Affairs and Media and work closely with various stakeholders to ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of services. In this role, you will play a critical role in identifying proactive media opportunities, mitigating risks, and addressing issues as they arise. Your expertise will be crucial in helping the team assess reputational issues, risks, and opportunities.  

Responsibilities include: 

• Provides specialist media relations advice across the University in a timely manner of varying levels of seniority. 
• In consultation with the Media and Public Affairs team, and across the Strategic Communications team and the entire Communications & Marketing function, proactively identifies and develops stories from across the University that will positively position the University in the media – aligned to the Advancing Melbourne Strategy – which can be leveraged across multiple channels. 
• Prepare integrated media plans with multiple stakeholders to support delivery of content. In partnership with stakeholders, this includes writing and pitching media releases and media stories for mainstream and targeted (print, radio and television) and online media, domestically and in key international markets. 
• Builds and maintains relationships with key journalists and media outlets in Australia and key strategic international markets. 

About You
To excel in this role, you must have exceptional interpersonal skills that enable you to establish and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. Strong verbal and written communication, as well as influencing and presentation abilities, are essential for success in this role. Maintaining a high level of professionalism and strict confidentiality is paramount in this role, and you should have a proven track record of working with flexibility and adapting to changing priorities. 

You will also have: 

• Tertiary qualification in communications, journalism, finance, business or a related discipline (postgraduate qualification in relevant discipline is preferred) or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education/training. 
• Three to five years media and communications experience (including confidently liaising with media on behalf of an organisation). 
• Experience in media management during a crisis, including demonstrated experience managing issues and reputational risks within an organisation. 
• Experience with writing and pitching media releases for mainstream, targeted and online media. And experience in complex decision making requiring high levels of expertise and judgement.  

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check. 

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia. 

About the University
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement. 

Benefits of Working with Us
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits: 

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave 
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading 
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs 
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club 
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families 

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits . 

Be Yourself
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live. 

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining your interest and experience.  Please note that you are not required to provide responses against the selection criteria in the Position Description. 

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected] . 

Position Description