• Extensive investment in facilities and people supporting our significant service expansion
• On-site Parking (subject to availability)
• A culture where people care

A career in the forensic mental health sector is diverse, challenging and rewarding. A career at Forensicare will be like no other. If you’re passionate about supporting people in their mental health recovery, Forensicare is where you need to be. You will be a part of a caring and supportive team, making a real difference to people living with the dual stigma of mental illness and offending. We approach our work with curiosity and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of our consumers and carers. Working across community, hospital and prison settings, you can learn, apply your specialist skills and advance in your profession. Together, we can contribute to a more connected, compassionate mental health and criminal justice system.

Job location

Our Corporate Office is located at Thomas Embling Hospital just 15 minutes north of the city. Due to our announced expansion across all Directorates, we have a need for experienced like-minded professionals to join our team to support our growing services. Our Directorates includes Thomas Embling Hospital, Prison Operations and our Community Directorate with highly skilled disciplines including Nursing, Lived Experience, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatry, Psychologists and Social Work. We have an outstanding L&D and discipline Educator co-hort that continually upskill our already skilled and supportive team.

About the Role:

The External Relations Manager role leads Forensicare’s external relations, communications strategy, and provides high level advice on policy matters impacting Forensicare. This position has a significant external stakeholder and government relations focus and will direct media strategy and communications efforts with accountability for collation of submissions and responses to government.

Duties:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with government and other bodies, to influence policy, regulatory outcomes, and advocate for Forensicare’s interests.
• Represents Forensicare’s interests in discussions with government and government bodies, and regulatory authorities, particularly in areas that affect Forensicare’s consumers and operations and delivery of strategic objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate responses to inquiries, concerns, and feedback.

• Monitor and analyse policy developments, legislative changes, and regulatory trends that impact Forensicare's operations and the broader mental health and criminal justice sectors and advise Executive and Board of the potential impact on Forensicare’s consumers, operations and delivery of strategic objectives.

• Lead the development and execution of Forensicare’s communication strategy, which encompasses crisis communications strategies, including during sensitive or high-profile situations, and media engagement through working closely with cross-functional teams, to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging and communication efforts.
• Manage media relations, including responding to media inqueries, acting as a spokesperson when required, and coordinate press releases, media briefings, and crisis communication responses as required.
• Support the internal communication team in the development of internal communication strategies to ensure alignment with organisational objectives that foster a culture of transparency and engagement.

About You:

• Extensive experience in written and verbal communication across multiple levels of internal and external stakeholders.

• Extensive experience in developing a broad stakeholder engagement strategy in a politically sensitive environment and is skilled at developing and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal) with an ability to tailor messages for different audiences and translate complex concepts into easy to understand language.

• Demonstrated experience in media relations, crisis management, and strategic communications.

What you need:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Policy, Political Science, Business Administration, or a related relevant field.

• Substantial demonstrated experience in stakeholder management, relationship building, networking, and communication in a complex and dynamic environment. Within a government or public sector environment is desirable.

To access a detailed position description, please click External Relations Manager.

Or for more information on Careers at Forensicare, visit https://www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/careers

*Please Note - Applications will be reviewed and interviewed as they are received. Advertising may close earlier than indicated.

A culture where people matter.

• Excellent supervision and investment in the skill development of all our team members.
• Well defined career pathways existing across our Directorates with multi-disciplined Teams.
• Salary Packaging Options available – Mortgage, Rent, Car, Expenses
• A leading, multi-faceted approach to safety, with unparalleled strategic, practical, individualised and team-based supports to minimise risks and fear and maximise safety and security, underpinned by our workplace health and safety strategy.
• Celebration and reward for good performance, through employee recognition.
• Access to an employee assistance program – an external, confidential, self-referral employee wellbeing program, for personal or work-related matters.
• A mental health and wellbeing program providing psychological, peer support and critical incidence response programs.

Eligibility

• Influenza and Immunisation Evidence
• This position is subject to a Police Check

Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTQI, people with a lived experience of disability, as well as people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Forensicare promotes our guiding principles of RESPECT, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, HUMAN RIGHTS; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.