senior media officer

HR Partners; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad is currently partnering with a prominent Federal Government Department to recruit a skilled Senior Media Officer (APS6 equivalent).

Location: Canberra; Hybrid options available. Contract length: 12 months with potential extension. Hours: 37.5 per week. Baseline security clearance preferable.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in journalism or media with relevant tertiary qualifications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for media materials.
• Sound judgement for risk management and reactive media.
• Proven ability to engage internal executives and external partners.
• Proficiency with MS 365, media monitoring software, and AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic media plans and narratives.
• Respond to media enquiries quickly and manage risks.
• Produce press releases, talking points, statements, and briefings.
• Collaborate with executives and stakeholders to ensure clear communications.
• Monitor and report media engagement metrics to guide strategy.
• Participate in out-of-hours media on-call rota.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis/risk management

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Tools

MS 365

Media monitoring software

AI tools

Job description

Randstad is currently partnering with a prominent Federal Government Department to recruit a skilled Senior Media Officer (APS6 equivalent).

Position Details

• Location: Brisbane, Sydney, or Canberra (Hybrid options available once established)
• Contract Length: Initial 12-month contract with potential extension
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week
• Baseline Security Clearance preferable

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Media Engagement: Develop and execute strategic media plans, craft compelling narratives, and generate positive public coverage.
• Reactive Enquiry & Risk Management: Respond to media enquiries swiftly, identify emerging issues, manage sensitive information, and mitigate reputational risks.
• Content Creation: Produce clear, concise content tailored for diverse audiences, including media releases, talking points, statements, and executive briefing materials.
• Stakeholder Relations: Collaborate with subject matter experts, executive leadership, and external stakeholders to maintain transparent communication channels.
• Performance Analysis: Monitor, evaluate, and report on media engagement metrics to guide ongoing strategy.
• Team Operations: Participate in the out-of-hours media on-call roster and contribute to a collaborative, continuous-improvement team culture.

Key Selection Criteria

• Experience & Education: 5+ years of professional experience in journalism or media alongside relevant tertiary qualifications.
• Written & Verbal Communication: Demonstrated ability to craft high-quality, audience-appropriate media materials and provide clear, timely advice.
• Issues & Risk Management: Sound judgment in identifying risks, handling sensitive details, and managing reactive media in high-pressure settings.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to build trusted relationships with internal executives, colleagues, and external partners.
• Modern Tool Capabilities: Proficiency with MS 365, media monitoring software, and intermediate capability in using AI tools to enhance work quality.

We Want to Hear From You If...

• You are an Australian Citizen eligible to obtain and maintain a Baseline Security Clearance (and National Police Check).
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy handling reactive media enquiries, proactive stories, and complex issues management.
• You are comfortable utilizing modern digital tools, including Microsoft 365, media monitoring platforms, and intermediate-level AI to drive workplace efficiency.

(Government or public sector experience, particularly within complex environments, will be highly regarded.)

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.