• Become a part of a team that is devoted to making the world a healthier place
• Supporting the PR Manager to build and protect the profile of Black Dog
• Full-time ongoing position

About the Institute:

The Black Dog Institute is a Medical Research Institute and a global leader in translational mental health research. We harness the latest technology and other tools to quickly turn our world-class research findings into clinical services, education and e-health products that improve the lives of people with mental illness and the wider community.

We pride ourselves on translating our own world leading Workplace Mental Health research into an award-winning culture that encompasses a holistic view of wellbeing. We aim to create a positive, mentally healthy workplace that recognises the importance of meaningful work, balanced lifestyles, psychological well-being and continual learning whilst being guided by our core values - Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence, Innovation and Respect. We offer:

• Competitive salaries
• Salary packaging
• Commitment to Learning and Development
• Flexible working hours and work-life balance
• Generous parental leave policy
• Pet friendly office
• Social and team events

About the Role:

The purpose of this position is to build and protect the profile and reputation of the Black Dog Institute through effective public relations and media engagement. The Public Relations Specialist will be tasked with coordinating our inaugural annual summit event and supporting researchers to best maximise their impact in the public and media. The Public Relation Specialist will work closely with the MarComms team and stakeholders to support the public and media engagements.

Key Duties:

• Work with the Marketing and Communications team and other BDI departments to identify and leverage public relations, media engagement and thought leadership opportunities
• Manage and co-ordinate large scale events such as the Black Dog RISE Summit – conference planned for October 2020
• Support projects with key partnerships, media organisations, communications agencies and/or other organisations to enhance the profile and reputation of Black Dog
• Support in building capacity amongst Black Dog researchers and other spokespeople to successfully engage with the media through ongoing media training
• Work closely with stakeholders across the institute to support spokesperson activities in government relations, fundraising and other stakeholder relations
• Collate and report outcomes of media and stakeholder engagement campaigns
• Provide support to researchers in demonstrating the reach and impact of their public and media engagement
• Effective issues management including ongoing assessment of risk, stakeholder liaison, crisis communications and careful positioning of BDI on relevant issues aired in the public arena
• Provide direct support to the Media and Public Relations Manager with tasks and projects
• Drive media and public relations strategies, in conjunction with the Head of Marketing and Communications, that are aligned with the overarching strategic marketing plan and broader BDI mission
• Leverage media relationships and cultivate new contacts across the media and PR landscape
• Develop and maintain an effective media management program including a pro-active approach to media engagement and availability to out-of-hours media requests
• Identify and promote appropriate spokespeople from within the Institute
• Manage, collate and report outcomes of MarComms-specific media and stakeholder engagement campaigns
• Assist with monitoring reputational risks and manage in partnership with relevant staff
• Effective issues management including careful positioning of BDI on relevant issues aired in the public arena and management of relevant aspects of the BDI Risk Register where required.
• Manage project budget and provide timely and accurate project status reporting

About You:

The successful candidate will have:

1. Tertiary qualifications with a degree in Communications, Journalism or equivalent preferably at degree level
2. Minimum 2-3 years’ media, public relations and issues management experience, preferably in the health sector
3. Thorough understanding of media needs and media relationships, with high level experience in media liaison, including production of media releases
4. Experience in PR event, conference or symposia management and co-ordination
5. High level interpersonal skills and ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority, leveraging relationships and networks to secure outcomes
6. Ability to articulate and deliver key messages in all communications, including the ability to translate complex information into accessible lay summaries
7. Good problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesise issues
8. Strong administrative and organisational skills and excellent written and verbal communications
9. Ability to set priorities, plan work programs, meet deadlines and manage time effectively
10. Experience working with a diverse range of internal stakeholders and proven ability to effectively manage expectations of staff who have a varied understanding of media interaction
11. Empathy or alignment with mental health and wellbeing.

Desirable skills/experience:

1. Experience in a medical research environment and/or the not-for-profit sector