Head of Public Affairs and Media

**Job no**: 0058513
**Location**:Parkville
**Role type**:Full-time; Fixed-term for 12 months (parental leave cover)
**Department/School**:Strategy and Culture
**Salary**:UOM 10 - $138,378 p.a. plus 17% super
- Lead the delivery of strategic media initiatives, manage critical relationships and lead a small team
- Further grow your leadership profile in public affairs and media
- $138,378, 17% super, benefits and a flexible hybrid work environment

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 - University Communications and Marketing**
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**
This is an exciting opportunity to further grow your leadership profile in public affairs and media. You will have direct and tangible impact on executing strategies that promote and enhance the University of Melbourne’s reputation and the opportunity to build your network by collaborating with a broad and diverse range of partners. Furthermore this role offers you the opportunity to further develop your team management skills.

The Head of Public Affairs and Media is responsible for leading the development, delivery and evaluation of key proactive and reactive media strategies to enhance and protect the University’s reputation, and to strengthen key external stakeholder relationships as well as leading the University’s Public Affairs and Media team.

This role works directly with diverse internal stakeholder groups to lead, develop and execute external communications strategies and campaigns to promote the University’s strategic priorities and proactively position the University domestically and globally.

Responsibilities include:

- Lead and manage projects and plans that support key announcements and strategic priorities, particularly managing sensitive issues and crisis communications.
- Lead and manage public affairs
- Ensure all media strategies are aligned, integrated and planned to maximise opportunities and reduce risk.
- Build and Manage relationships with key external media and industry partners.
- Support staff to identify opportunities for media outreach and and develop resources and systems to optimise the University’s media function.

**About You**
You are a proven leader with significant experience across media and communications within complex environments. You possess exceptional problem-solving skills under demanding circumstances and take an agile approach when faced with dynamic and competing priorities. Your highly-developed interpersonal and communication skills empower you to develop effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders and influence outcomes.

You will also have:

- A 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.
- Demonstrated successful media management during a crisis, including demonstrated experience managing multiple issues and reputational risks within a large and complex organisation.
- Demonstrated successful delivery of strategic activities within a large and complex organisation.
- Expertise with writing and pitching media releases for mainstream, targeted and online media.

**For further details regarding the responsibilities and requirements of the role please refer to the attached position description.**

**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 rang