Jobs - Job Details - Media and Communications Advisor

About the role

The role sits within the Public Affairs team, which leads strategic communication, engagement, and issues management to support the organisation to achieve its objectives, including:

• articulating the strategic vision and priorities
• guiding impactful communications and engagement to promote the vision and priorities
• issues and reputation management.

What you’ll do

The Media and Communications Advisor provides timely, expert, day-to-day support and advice to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Mayoral delegate on Council’s projects, programs, and matters, and media.

Activities include:

• Preparing high-quality, factual messages, briefing documents, reports, communications collateral, and media material to support the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Mayoral delegate to fulfil the responsibilities of the role/s.
• Providing support and assistance to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Mayoral delegate to support the day-to-day delivery of activities and commitments, including preparing briefing notes and materials ahead of commitments, assisting in the development of speeches, responding to relevant Mayoral media matters, receiving and providing feedback to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Mayoral delegate and other stakeholders across Council.
• Attending events and activities to support the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Mayoral delegate at civic, business, community or other engagements. This includes attending on the day, pre-event preparation and coordination, photography, social media and post-event follow-up.
• Assisting the Public Affairs Manager with public affairs issues management, including for the General Manager and Executive Leadership team.
• Fostering effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including subject matter experts and project teams, to assist in the development and delivery of communications activities.
• In consultation with the Public Affairs Manager and Head of Future Directions and Resilience, implement an effective communications process to ensure the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Mayoral delegate is briefed on Council projects/programs and matters ahead of time.
• Provide media support and advice to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Mayoral delegate to assist in responding as Council’s primary spokesperson.
• Offer strategic and considered media and communications advice to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Mayoral delegate that aligns with Council’s corporate communications objectives and strategic position.
• Develop, implement, and update comprehensive communications plans to support public affairs management.
• Undertake agreed special projects as required from time to time.

 What you’ll bring  

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, or a relevant discipline
• Demonstrated experience preparing and supporting an executive, elected member, or minister with the day-to-day delivery of activities, including the preparation of concise communications and briefing materials
• Demonstrated experience supporting an executive, elected member, or minister with strategic and considered communication and media support
• Demonstrated experience developing a presence and/or strategy for media participation for an executive, elected member, or minister as a primary spokesperson for an organisation
• Demonstrated experience preparing media releases, media responses, and managing media issues
• Demonstrated experience in managing competing priorities, including the  ability to negotiate with internal and/or external stakeholders to ensure deadlines are met

 Desirable

• Previous experience working in Local Government
• Experience working in the media or in a similar role
• Current Class C driver's license

Applications are invited from suitably experienced and qualified staff for the permanent full-time position.

Applicants are asked to submit a letter outlining their suitability for the role and a comprehensive resume.

In addition to the outline above, please be sure to refer to the Position Description for more details about the role, responsibilities, and selection criteria.

For further information or questions, please contact Anna Petersen, Public Affairs Manager, on anna.petersen@penrith.city or 0473 509 756.

About Council  

At Penrith City Council, we’re passionate about people; in our community and in our workplace. We want you to be able to be your best self and we get that work is just one part of your life, so we’re here to support you in the moments that matter. As the winner of the 2020 Local Government Excellence in People and Culture Award and an Excellence Award winner in the 2020 Australian HR Awards, you can be confident in joining a workplace that offers truly outstanding benefits, including:

• A range of flexible work arrangements
• 18 weeks paid maternity leave
• Health and wellbeing leave
• 15 days personal leave
• Significant financial and leave support for undertaking further education 
• Diverse salary packaging
• Free access to all Ripples venues 
• And much, much more!