Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people with lived-experience of the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply for this role.

Additional Benefits:

17.5% Leave Loading

5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave

Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours

Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips

Salary packaging is available via Maxxia

Office Locations: 273 High Street, Preston, VIC, 3072.

This role is full-time fixed term 12 - months

Application ends on 29th April 2025

Role Overview

The Communications Team Leader is responsible for leading, coordinating and delivering VALS communications activities, including; VALS’ digital platforms, media engagement including media releases, coordinating communications and fundraising-related projects such as webinars and content creation for newsletters, and media engagement with the Aboriginal communities in Victoria, that supports and leverages VALS policy and advocacy work. The Team Leader is also responsible for supervising the Media Officer and other staff, volunteers or contract workers in the Communications Team. Our communications and advocacy is led by community to promote self-determined advocacy and outcomes. The Communications Team Leader will support VALS’ community engagement work, and work closely with colleagues in the broader Policy, Communications and Strategy team and across all of VALS to develop advocacy that supports Aboriginal communities’ priorities.

Responsibilities

Lead the implementation and monitoring of VALS’ Communication Plan, and associated campaign plans.

Lead the writing, reviewing and pitching of compelling content for a range of digital and print communications platforms, to promote VALS’ policy priorities and positions, VALS’ activities and stories that positively represent Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Monitor, evaluate and strengthen the effectiveness of digital communications activities, providing regular reports and analytical commentary on the website, social media and digital marketing campaigns

Lead and deliver VALS’s communication and public engagement activities to deadline and within set budget, including:

Website development, content creation and traffic maximisation

Social media strategy

Digital marketing campaigns

Media engagement

Design of VALS publications

Brand management

Photography and videography

Specific communications projects

Lead, deliver and monitor VALS’ fundraising initiatives and campaigns, particularly around Invasion Day and EOFY.

Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, particularly in the legal and Aboriginal Community Controlled sectors, and identify opportunities to work collaboratively

Work in collaboration with all sections of VALS’ in identifying key priority areas and formulating key messages

Monitor the latest news on traditional and social media channels and recommend appropriate courses of action

Support VALS’ media activities by helping with the preparation of VALS spokespeople, including speaking notes and drafting of media releases

Provide supervision and guidance to other communications staff and contractors, including volunteers that is culturally safe and supportive. This includes developing workplans and supporting the team to achieve deliverables.

As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

Internal Obligations

Commitment to VALS’s strategic plan

Attend and actively contribute at team and working group meetings

Provide mentoring and support to other members of the Policy, Communications and Strategy team as needed

Undertake other duties & responsibilities within the scope of the role as directed

Personal accountability

Compliance with all VALS Values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.

Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion

Ensure appropriate use of resources

Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace.

Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required)

Promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management.

Attend mandatory training sessions (ie. equal employment opportunity, health and safety, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

Key Selection Criteria

Mandatory

Excellent writing skills, with a strong attention to detail and demonstrated expertise in writing content for a range of audiences and across different platforms

At least 5 years’ experience in producing and managing a range of communication tools, including publications, websites, e-newsletters, social media strategies and other digital technologies

Demonstrated strong experience in proactive engagement collaborating with key stakeholders and targeting stories to appropriate audiences

Extensive communications experience, particularly in digital content creation

Demonstrated ability to supervise and lead team members.

Strong organisational, time management and planning skills; with an ability to work autonomously and within a team

Demonstrated High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Design suite

Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed

Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, media relations or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience.

Desirable

Understanding of the role of Aboriginal legal services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations

Experience working in the non-profit sector

Mandatory Requirements

On offer of this position, you must provide:

A copy of your current Employee Working with Children Check card

A copy of your current Victorian Driver’s License

You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check

Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e. a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate or Immigration VISA documentation

Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role

Please send your resume together with a covering letter that addresses the Key Selection Criteria