Press Secretary - Senior Adviser 1

at; Österreich; Vor Ort; EUR 85 000 - 104 000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A governmental office is seeking a full-time Press Secretary in Canberra. The role involves developing media strategies and managing communications for the Minister. Applicants should have extensive experience in providing communications advice, project management skills, and the ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively. A competitive salary and conditions are offered based on experience.

Leistungen

Relocation assistance

Superannuation contribution

Paid study leave

Qualifikationen

• Extensive experience in communications in a political context.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects under tight deadlines.
• High-level judgment and discretion in handling sensitive information.

Aufgaben

• Develop and implement the Minister’s media strategy.
• Prepare the Minister for public appearances with briefings and advice.
• Manage communications with the media and internal stakeholders.

Kenntnisse

Communications advice

Media strategy

Analytical skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Jobbeschreibung

The Office of the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, is seeking applications for an ongoing, full-time Press Secretary (Senior Adviser 1) to join the team based in Canberra.

Ministerial staff form an integral part of Government, providing indispensable political, policy and administrative support to Ministers as they carry out their executive responsibilities. They work in conjunction with the apolitical Australian Public Service to deliver the Government’s agenda.

Position Overview

The Press Secretary is responsible for developing and implementing the Minister’s media strategy, as well as working closely with other ministerial offices and the Prime Minister’s Office(PMO) to drive a whole-of-Government approach to media operations.

In this role you will work closely with journalists and the Press Gallery, managing the flow of information and coordinating approvals as required. In collaboration with the Strategic Communications Adviser and the Digital Media Adviser, the Press Secretary drafts speeches, messages, forewords, scripts, talking points and other communications on behalf of the Minister.

The position functions as part of a small team of communication advisers with interrelated responsibilities, and we are seeking applications from individuals who will work cohesively and collaboratively with others, possess a high level of professionalism and integrity and have a deep commitment to doing work in service to the people of Australia.

The key duties of the position include:

• Preparing the Minister for all public appearances, providing high-quality briefings, media advice, research support, and talking points in collaboration with relevant Ministerial Offices and subject matter experts.
• Liaising with the PMO, other Ministers’ Offices and Caucus members, providing briefings, media advice, support, and approvals for media releases, speeches and appearances, ensuring alignment in strategic messaging.
• Liaising with the media and communications team in the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing on media responses, speeches, talking points and other media products.
• Providing expert advice to a range of internal and external stakeholders on digital communication strategies within a fast-paced, sensitive and political environment.
• Maintaining oversight of news, ensuring the Minister, the PMO Press Office and other Ministerial Senior Media Advisers are appropriately briefed and prepared, escalating sensitive issues as required.
• Responding to media requests in collaboration with other Offices as needed, re-directing and/or escalating as required.
• Managing the Office’s day-to-day engagement with the Press Gallery, regularly visiting the Gallery, maintaining visibility of breaking stories, and facilitating the exchange of relevant information.
• Travelling with the Minister, providing as required on-the-ground support such as advice and direct digital services including drafting and posting social media content.
• Cultivating effective relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders, including journalists, state and territory ministers’ media advisers and departmental staff.
• Promoting, supporting and maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace culture.
• Performing other duties as required by the Minister.

The ideal applicant should possess the following skills, qualifications, and experience:

• Demonstrated extensive experience providing communications advice on a wide range of complex policy, public affairs, parliamentary and political matters in a political office, public service agency or non-government organisation.
• Extensive experience in the processes of planning, organising, and implementing communication strategies and media announcements for a Minister, senior public servant, non-government, or private sector executive.
• Expert ability to manage and prioritise complex projects under tight deadlines, while exercising a high level of analytical and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise high-level judgement, professional integrity, discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Sound knowledge of Australian parliamentary and policy processes.
• Extensive experience in rapidly absorbing complex material to develop clear and concise communications, announcements, speeches, briefings or correspondence for broad and diverse audiences.
• Expert ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Capacity to work irregular hours (some evenings, early mornings and weekends) as required.

Employment conditions:

• The position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 which include:
• A commencing salary between $151,364 and $183,976 will be negotiated depending on experience and relevant skills.
• An additional Personal Staff Allowance of $37,364 is payable in recognition of, and as compensation for, reasonable additional hours of work.
• An employer superannuation contribution of 15.4% will be payable.
• Relocation assistance, studies assistance and paid study leave may also be available (subject to eligibility requirements).
• The position may be based in either Canberra, ACT or in Adelaide, SA.

Applicants should note the following:

• An initial probationary period of three months may apply and may be subject to extension.
• The successful applicant may be required to undergo a National Police History Check.
• Staff may be subject to automatic cessation triggers in accordance with Section 14 of the MOP(S) Act.
• The successful applicant will be required to comply with their obligations under the Behaviour Codes and Standards.
• For staff employed by a Minister, Assistant Minister or Parliamentary Secretary either in a personal or electorate staff position, it is a condition of your employment that you obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 security clearance and comply with the Ministerial Staff Code of Conduct.

How to apply:

Submit a cover letter, your CV demonstrating your skills, capabilities, knowledge and experience and the names of two referees to [e-mail]. Please use the subject line: Press Secretary Application.

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