Assistant Director (Media)

Ministry of Health (Singapore); Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Health (Singapore) seeks an experienced communications leader to manage a team that handles media relations across healthcare areas and crisis communications. You will guide divisions on how to position MOH announcements and policies with effective messaging.

You will plan media coverage for MOH events and coordinate media requests for senior leadership, while cultivating strong media relationships in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Tertiary education in a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in communications or public relations, with 2 years in supervision.
• Experience in media relations, stakeholder engagement, marketing communications and/or journalism is a plus.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• You will supervise and mentor a team to handle media communications across healthcare issues, including crisis communications.
• Advise divisions on media and public communications strategies, and develop materials for MOH announcements and policies.
• Plan and manage media coverage for MOH-related events and handle media requests for senior leadership.
• Cultivate strong relationships with media contacts and proactively pitch stories in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Thinking Clearly & Making Sound Jud

Learning & Putting Skills into Action

Improving & Innovating

Working Effectively with Stakeholders

Good communication skills

Ability to multi-task

Strong critical thinking

Highly driven

Education

Tertiary education in a related discipline

Job description

What The Role Is

You will manage a team overseeing a desk of issues to promote public understanding, appreciation and support of Singapore’s healthcare system through positive and balanced reporting via a variety of media and online channels. You will be working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders at the same time.

What You Will Be Working On

• You will supervise and mentor a team to handle media communications across a spectrum of healthcare issues, such as healthcare finance, health services, mental health, healthcare manpower and ageing, as well as manage crisis communications.
• You will advise the relevant divisions on media and public communications strategies and positioning of issues. This includes developing and executing media approaches and materials for MOH’s announcements and policies.
• You will plan and manage media coverage for MOH-related events and facilitate media requests at these events, including for senior leadership.
• You will cultivate strong relationships with media contacts and identify opportunities to proactively pitch stories. You will be working in a fast-paced and highly volatile environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders at the same time.

What We Are Looking For

Key Competencies Required:

• Thinking Clearly & Making Sound Judgements – Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to support the crafting of sound policy recommendations and recommend appropriate public communications support; ability to appreciate timelines, operating context and ground realities.
• Learning & Putting Skills into Action - Possesses the drive and curiosity to learn and apply new skills, knowledge and new ways of working.
• Improving & Innovating – Open to continually improve, innovate and experiment while managing the risks involved.
• Working Effectively with Stakeholders – Able to mobilise and rally partners and stakeholders towards a collective purpose and outcome.
• Tertiary education in a related discipline
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in communications or public relations, with 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience
• Experience in media relations, stakeholder engagement, marketing communications and / or journalism would be an added advantage
• Good communication skills with the ability to engage and build relationships at different levels
• Able to multi-task and lead a team to achieve positive outcomes
• Strong critical thinking skills and able to exercise sound judgement in complex situations
• Highly driven and able to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.