Salary Offering: VALS E 1.1 – 1.4 - $89,691.06 - $94,754.39 per annum, plus 11.5% Superannuation

Additional Benefits:

17.5% Leave Loading

Salary packaging

Generous leave entitlements and flexible work arrangements

Office Locations: 273, High Street Preston Victoria 3072.

This role is full-time fixed term for 12 months.

Application ends on Friday 20th June 2025.

Overview

The Senior Media Advisor is responsible for planning and delivering VALS’s media strategy. This includes managing and developing relationships with government and media organisations/representatives, preparing media releases, developing and coordinating VALS social media presence, support and prepare the CEO and other staff for media interviews and public speaking events and proactively pursuing and participating in media and communications opportunities.

Responsibilities

Write, review and pitch compelling and newsworthy content (including media releases and opinion pieces) for a range of broadcast, print and digital communications platforms, to promote VALS’ policy priorities and positions, VALS’ activities and articles that positively represent Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and stories in a strengths-based approach

Develop and implement campaign strategy and advocacy opportunities as in line with VALS strategic priorities.

Triage and respond to media requests

Help ensure that VALS spokespeople are sufficiently equipped and prepared for media work and interviews

Monitor media mentions of VALS and issues important to VALS, and provide regular reporting on trends

Develop and maintain relationships with journalists

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 to identify key priority areas and to formulate key messages

Help to develop and coordinate social media content and engagement in support of broader media strategy

Support the work of the Communications Team Leader, as required

Ability to travel across Victoria to work on local media opportunities

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

Key Selection Criteria

Mandatory

Relevant media qualifications such as in Journalism, Public Relations and Media and/or substantial experience working as a media, communications or PR advisor.

Excellent writing skills and attention to detail, with demonstrated expertise in writing content for media.

Deep knowledge of the Australian media landscape.

Experience pitching to journalists and a demonstrated ability to get up proactive media stories.

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

High proficiency in Microsoft Office and media monitoring tools.

Passion for working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and empowering their voices and advocacy.

Desirable

Experience working in the non-profit sector.

Experience using video editing and graphic design programs including the Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.

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 (I.e. equal employment opportunity, health and safety, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

Mandatory Requirement

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

COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Certificate or current and valid medical exemption certificate

Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for this opportunity, please provide:

A covering letter outlining who you are and why you are suited to this position.

A statement addressing each of the key selection criteria – applications submitted without a statement addressing the key selection criteria will not be accepted. Please note the key selection criteria is found within the position description.

Your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees.

Please submit your application to [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Media Advisor

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No (search) fee will be paid in the event we hire a candidate whose resume is submitted by an employment agency to any of our employees without a valid written recruitment agreement. Such resumes shall be deemed the sole property of VALS.

To learn more about us, head to https://www.vals.org.au/about-vals/

For more details about our other roles, check our careers website: https://www.vals.org.au/careers/