• Based at our Coburg offices with hybrid work arrangements available #LI-Hybrid
• Full time permanent role (based on 38 hours per week)
• Monthly RDO
• Exciting change agenda and fantastic new team
• Salary: $99k - $108k + Super
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

About Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175,000 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

About the role

Merri-bek City Council is looking for a talented communications star to join the Communications team. As a high-profile metropolitan Council in Melbourne, we’re seeking a go-getter with initiative to help protect and enhance Merri-bek’s reputation by driving great communication on Council services.

You would be working in a fun and supportive team of communications professionals working in partnership with the wider organisation to achieve great outcomes for our community. This exciting opportunity also offers leadership opportunities and the chance to progress and build your career prospects.

You’ll have occasional contact with media to secure coverage and respond to enquiries, while leading some of Council’s complex communications projects within the Communications Unit.

This is a fast-paced role with a different focus every day, working as a trusted partner on projects across the organisation.

Skills and experience required to perform the role

• Previous experience in leading, planning and implementing large and small communications plans and campaigns for a large organisation, with experience in government highly desirable
• Ability to communicate about complex projects and policies using creative communications that audiences engage with and respond to in a positive way.
• Working independently to achieve quality communications outcomes in tight timeframes
• Experience managing relationships with the media, responding to enquiries, preparing media releases and proactive media pitches and facilitating media launches.

The role will involve

• Supporting the Strategic Communications Coordinator by delivering high quality, proactive and integrated two-way communications to inform and engage the diverse community of Merri-bek.
• Enhancing the community’s perception of Council by delivering strategic communications campaigns that are targeted effectively to reach the diverse community of Merri-bek.
• Leading, planning and delivering strategic communications plans for key complex projects delivered by Council.
• Monitoring and managing Council’s reputational risk, identifying emerging and critical communication issues and addressing these in collaboration with the Strategic Communications Coordinator.
• Working with the Strategic Communications Coordinator, facilitating an effective relationship between Council and the media by liaising with the media, preparing media releases and responding to media enquiries.

What the role can offer

• Monthly RDO
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

Further support offered for our staff

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Emma Hastings, Strategic Communications Coordinator, on 0407 556 101.

Applications close: 11:30pm, Thursday 24 April 2025.

Before submitting an application, please view the Position Description.

Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid WWCC. Please have this ready when completing your application.

How to apply

Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.

*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.

Please note that applications must only be submitted online, applications will not be accepted via email.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.

We encourage everyone to apply and discuss opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience. Council is committed to removing barriers and access to employment where possible at any point in the recruitment, onboarding and during your time at Council. For further information regarding access or modifications you may require for a recruitment process please contact Danni Jovanovic, Recruitment Business Partner on [email protected]

Our Commitment

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.