Media & Communications Coordinator

UNSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 118,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

Annual leave loading

Job summary

UNSW seeks a Media and Communications Coordinator to drive the Centre’s communications and engagement across traditional media, online and social channels. You will translate complex ocean science into accessible content for diverse audiences and collaborate with researchers to maximise impact.

You will oversee communications plans, manage digital assets, and train researchers in effective communication. The role requires a strong media mindset and a commitment to UNSW values.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in media, journalism or science communications with experience or equivalent competence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor the Centre's communications initiatives and projects.
• Oversee development of communications and impact plans.
• Monitor, track and evaluate outputs to meet time, cost and quality metrics.
• Provide proactive project communications support to researchers and leadership.
• Deliver in-house media and communications training to researchers.
• Assess and manage reputational risks and issues.
• Develop relationships with journalists and editors.
• Establish and implement the Centre's social media strategy.
• Produce engaging visual materials for social media, collateral, presentations and digital assets.
• Manage the Centre’s website, newsletters and public channels.
• Draft, edit and publish annual report and other submissions.
• Participate in science outreach events.

Skills

Excellent written & verbal comms

Translate complex science to broadaud

Visual & digital comms materials

Social media management

WordPress CMS

Canva / Adobe Creative Suite

Team collaboration & initiative

Time management

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in media/journalism/science communications

Tools

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Wordpress

Job description

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

The Media and Communications Coordinator plays a key role within the Knowledge Translation and Engagement Program of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Our Future Oceans, a major, federally funded seven-year research consortium spanning UNSW, UWA, UTAS, UQ and ANU and over 40 partner organisations globally.

The Media and Communications Coordinator develops, manages and implements all aspects of the Centre’s communications and engagement activities to deliver a cohesive and impactful Centre-wide communications strategy within a complex organisation. This role also works closely with researchers to translate and communicate the Centre’s research findings to a wide range of audiences across multiple channels including traditional media, online and social media.

About The Role

• Level 7 - 118k – 128k - plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 3 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

Specific Responsibilities For This Role Include

• Develop and monitor the delivery of the Centre’s communications initiatives and projects to achieve operational and strategic goals as determined by the Centre’s leadership.
• Oversee the development of communications and impact plans and participate in consultative planning processes as required.
• Monitor, track and evaluate the effectiveness of the outputs and deliverables to ensure time, cost and quality metrics are in line with the Centre’s overall Knowledge Translation and Engagement Program.
• Provide a high level of proactive project communications support to Centre researchers and the leadership team.
• In collaboration with the Centre’s Graduate Director, develop and deliver in-house media and communications training to researchers within the centre to enable them to communicate their research clearly and confidently.
• Assess, mitigate and manage reputational risks and issues and provide solutions where applicable.
• Develop and manage effective communications with key stakeholders, both internal to UNSW and the Centre’s nodes located at other universities, and with key external partners.
• Develop strong working relationships with trusted journalists and editors in the Australian media landscape.
• Establish and implement the Centre’s social media strategy to reach specific target audiences on various platforms.
• Develop and produce engaging visual communications materials, including social media content, promotional collateral, presentations and digital assets, to support the Centre's communications and engagement objectives.
• Manage the Centre’s website, newsletters and other public facing channels.
• With the COO and Operations Team, draft, edit and publish the Centre’s Annual Report and other ad hoc reports, briefing notes, reports and government submissions.
• Participate in science outreach events with a variety of stakeholders including government, policymakers, community and schools.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health & safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.

About The Successful Applicant

(Selection Criteria)

To Be Successful In This Role You Will Have

• Relevant tertiary qualification in a field such as media, journalism or science communications with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail for deliverables produced.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific or technical subject matter into content for a range of audiences with varying degrees of subject matter familiarity.
• Demonstrated track record of producing written, visual and digital communication materials accessible to a range of stakeholders, including government, industry, and communities.
• Demonstrated experience creating high-quality visual communications materials using design platforms such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent.
• Demonstrated success working effectively and collaboratively on initiatives with a range of people at different levels within an organisation.
• Experience working with a range of social media platforms in a professional setting.
• Familiarity with commonly used website content management systems such as Wordpress.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed above in your application.

Contact

Matthew England

E: [e-mail]

Applications close: November 30th, 2026

Find Out More About Working At UNSW At Www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.