About the role:
Reporting to the Director Public Affairs, the Head of Media leads a team of media and event experts to oversee both proactive and reactive media engagement and manage the Department's reputation in the media.
This role is the key point of contact for journalists to seek information from the Department, and the Head of Media is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end management of media enquiries from journalists, including laison with program areas and subject matter experts, researching the issue, developing a response and managing approvals through the Department. This role also leads the Department's proactive media work, including researching, developing and pitching positive media opportunities that promote Victoria's health system including public health, mental health and aged care.
The Head of Media works closely with the Department's senior executives and Ministerial offices to ensure media responses are accurate, timely and written in clear and concise language. The role also involves reactive and proactive issues management, including providing media support and advice to health services and representing the Communications and Engagement Branch in crisis and emergency situations.
The Head of Media is responsible for providing dynamic and collaborative leadership to their teams, guiding strategy, upskilling as required, editing work and overseeing approvals - often working at pace in a high-pressure environment.
They collaborate with senior leaders across the branch to ensure our media and events approach is integrated and aligned to the overarching Communications and Engagement strategy and departmental narrative.
The role shares responsibility for the Department's 24/7 media phone line on a rostered basis, and is required to work varied hours, including evening, early mornings and weekends.
About us:
At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.
We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.
About you:
- Prepares media releases, statements, strategies and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensures appropriate style and formats are used.
- Seeks all relevant information for problem-solving; liaises with stakeholders; analyses issues from different perspectives and draws sound inferences from information available; identifies and proposes workable solutions to problems; implements solutions, evaluates effectiveness and adjusts actions as required.
- Gains agreement to proposals and ideas; Build behind the scenes support for ideas to ensure buy-in and ownership; Uses chains of indirect influence to achieve outcomes; Involves experts or other third parties to strengthen case.
- Holds self and team accountable to public sector values and agreed performance standards; Supports achievement of outcomes by anticipating and resolving issues; Establishes and implement actions to increase level of people engagement; Creates opportunities for recognising performance.
- Uses strategic relationships and knowledge to predict and prepare for the impact of events on the organisation; Understands the impact of external events and changing stakeholder needs on the organisation and government; Drives a values-based organisation by holding self and organisation accountable in adhering to public sector values.
What we offer:
- The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
- A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service & Sector.
- A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.
How to apply:
Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Click the `Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date.
We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at [email protected]. For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity see inclusion and diversity at the Department of Health.
If you have any queries in relation to recruitment processes at Health, or experience any issues in applying, please feel free to email [email protected]. Please note that unsolicited applications will not be replied to. If you have questions regarding the role specifically, we would advise you to reach out to the contact listed on the advertisement directly.
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence in line with our Privacy Policy.
