Mas3 Manager, Communications and Engagement

**Office for Early Childhood Development**
**Job reference**: 624300
**Location**: 5000 - ADELAIDE
**Job status**: Long Term Contract
**Eligibility**: Open to Everyone

**Your new company**

The Office for Early Childhood Development has been formed with a clear mandate. To create a fairer and better future for all children in South Australia by implementing the accepted recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

As the steward of the early childhood development system, the Office will act on government's behalf, and work in collaboration with the sector, to organise and connect the system to reduce developmental vulnerability.

This includes strategy for the provision of quality preschool for all 3 and 4-year-olds, supporting for families in the first 1000 days of a child’s life and implementing a workforce strategy.

**Your new role**

Reporting to the Director, Change and Engagement, the Manager, Communications and Engagement is responsible for leading the strategic communications and engagement efforts that support the implementation of the state’s early childhood development initiatives. As the Manager, Communications and Engagement you will develop and oversee comprehensive communication and engagement strategies that effectively convey the importance of early childhood development and the goals of the Office, ensuring alignment with broader government objectives and public expectations.

You will manage a dynamic team responsible for media relations, public affairs, digital communications, and community engagement. The role requires a strategic leader who can craft messages that resonate with diverse audiences, including policymakers, educators, parents, and the broader community. You will be tasked with building the Office's public profile as the steward of the early childhood system and ensuring coherent and consistent messaging across all platforms.

Working within a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment, the position needs to be adaptable and able to work across multiple projects, priorities and business areas efficiently, effectively and with a strong focus on evaluation and improvement.

**What you'll need to succeed**

To be considered for this role, you will have:

- **Leadership and Vision**: Significant experience and demonstrated ability to lead teams and projects, setting clear objectives and motivating others towards achieving strategic goals.
- **Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving**: Ability to devise effective strategies that align with overarching reform goals and to troubleshoot issues as they arise.
- **Strategic Communications**: Exceptional ability in both written and verbal communication, capable of delivering clear, impactful messages and engaging diverse audiences. Expertise in crafting and executing comprehensive communication strategies that align with OECD’s priorities and objectives.
- **Stakeholder Engagement**: Highly developed skills in managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and service providers.
- **Adaptability**: Proficient in adapting strategies to meet the changing dynamics of community needs and policy directions.
- **Information analysis and provision**: Demonstrated ability to analyse, evaluate, and present complex information, including statistical data, to support the development of communication strategies and proven experience in providing specialist and expert advice to senior officers and executive.
- **Achievement of outcomes**: Ability to work independently, under broad direction, to achieve high-level performance outcomes within timeframes, often in the context of competing priorities and expectations and demonstrated ability to conduct negotiation and consultation processes with stakeholders.
- Desirable tertiary qualification in communications or equivalent experience.

**What you'll get in return**

In return, you will receive long term contract at a MAS3 level working in a newly established office supporting the future of early childhood Education in South Australia.

**Call to Action**

Sonia Diestel-Feddersen is recruiting this exciting vacancy. For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact 8231 3688.
- **An up-to-date CV**:

- **Application Cover Sheet including 3 referees (one being your current line manager).**:

- **Pre Employment Declaration**:

- **A written statement of no more than 1500 words. Written statements should address the criteria outlined in the Role Description**

**Applications close**: 13/10/2024 5:00 PM