About the role
In this role, you will provide strong leadership in a high-pressure environment, consistently demonstrating the City’s values in daily activities. Operating within a political landscape, this role requires discretion, analytical skills, and the ability to unite diverse parties through effective communication and empathy.

The position demands a deep understanding of a large government organisation and the ability to navigate a complex, dynamic environment.

Work type: Permanent full time
Classification: Band 8 $115,035- $127,911 pa plus super

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the City’s strategic external communications, media and social media functions to ensure effective management of the City’s brand and reputation, through authentic communication and with our community at the centre of our efforts.
• Provide proactive, high-level, strategic media and issues management advice to the City’s leadership team and report directly on matters affecting the organisation’s reputation and relationships.
• Deliver leadership of the City’s strategic external communications program and provide insights to the strategic positioning and management of the organisation’s media presence to build and protect reputation.
• Maintain strong relationships within and outside the City, with a range of stakeholders, represent the City’s perspective and help articulate the City’s key messaging through high-level campaigns across digital and print which positively influence the opinions of our key stakeholder groups.
• Build an effective program of community education which enhances the community’s trust in and understanding of the role of the City and Council and the organisation’s purpose of supporting our community through service provision, planning and projects.

About you
To be successful in this role, you will have proven experience in leading, coaching and developing teams to deliver high-quality results in a strategic communications, media and public relations field.

Essential Experience:

• Experience working in a large organisation, preferably a local government environment.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to successfully negotiate, influence and resolve complex issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with experience in dealing effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders across a complex organisation and is comfortable operating in an environment where stakeholders hold a range of views and where there can be a level of ambiguity and complexity.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely.
• Practical knowledge and hands-on experience working for several years in the professional communications, media and PR fields.
• A current Working with Children Check (employee).
• Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now! 

Child Safety Responsibilities   
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.  

Diversity and Inclusion  
At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.  

Create our future together at the City of Greater Geelong
Join the City of Greater Geelong, a community-focused workplace on Wadawurrung Country. We deliver over 130 services to our growing population, striving to make our city a great place to live, work, and study. Our central location for Central Geelong-based employees is the Civic Precinct, Wurriki Nyal, a modern, sustainable, and inclusive workplace, along with our outreach locations.

If you're passionate about inclusivity and community, apply now – we’d love to meet you!

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries

Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Enquiries: 

Amarra Bowkett | Manager Corporate Communications | Amarra.Bowkett@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience.  We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.