Assistant Director Public Communications

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About the Division

The Communications Division collaborates with key stakeholders to strategically shape and deliver communication and community engagement opportunities.

The Division is responsible for the delivery of communications on behalf of the department to support and improve Victoria's education.

The partnership allows the Division to support the Victorian Government priorities in early childhood development, and school education. This includes engaging with the Department's workforce, supporting the implementation of policies and reforms, protecting, and strengthening the reputation of our education and providing communications support and advice to the Victorian Government.

About the role

A fixed term opportunity to 30 June 2026 exists for an Assistant Director to join the Public Communications branch in the Communications division.

The role:

The role of Assistant Director reports directly to the Director, Public Communications, and is responsible for leading the department's emergency response communications and overseeing the department's editorial agenda across a wide range of channels and overseeing the Speechwriting team.

Key responsibilities

As an Assistant Director you will be responsible for:

• Leading the coordination of significant communications projects including the annual NAPLAN reporting, major policy announcements and the State Budget process.
• Leading the department's emergency response communication
• Providing public relations strategic guidance and coordination across the Communications division
• Delivering a consistent editorial strategy across all channels, in all teams, including web, social, video and design, internal communications, media, speechwriting and stakeholder communications.

Central to this role is the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external, and to build collaboration among teams with diverse skillsets.

The Assistant Director works across Early Childhood and Schools portfolios.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Tertiary (Bachelor or higher) qualification Communications
• Assistant Director level communications experience

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience, and suitability to the role in line with the duties, required capabilities and the Key Selection Criteria.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact

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 Education 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.

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 26 October 2025.