Beyond Blue's vision is that all people in Australia achieve their best possible mental health. Our mission is to work with the community to improve their mental health and prevent suicide.

We create change to protect everyone's mental health and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. We value collaboration, respect, enthusiasm, excellence, innovation and integrity.

Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, and located within the Strategy, Policy and Reform unit, the Head of Policy and Communications is responsible for leading the Policy and Communications Unit, which includes the media and strategic communications team; policy and advocacy team; Government and Primary Health Network (PHN) relations; and providing support to the Office of the Chair.

Key Accountabilities:

Strategy and Implementation

• Lead the development and implementation of policy & advocacy and media & communications strategies, to support the delivery of Beyond Blue’s Beyond 2020 strategy;
• Oversee the development of high-level quality media responses;
• Oversee the development and implementation of Beyond Blue's policy and advocacy reform agenda;
• Develop strong working relationships with Beyond Blue government funders, and oversee the management of Beyond Blue’s core funding contractual requirements with the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments, ensuring continued core government funding;
• Ensure close collaboration with the other function Heads to ensure the transfer of research, data, clinical and specialist insights into effective media, communications and policy content;
• Lead the provision of high-quality advice and support to the Office of the Chair.

Team Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership to, and oversee the effective operations of, the Policy and Communications team, delivering agreed outcomes on time and on budget;
• Lead and manage the direct reports of Senior Adviser Office of the Chair, Government and PHN Relations Lead, Policy and Advocacy Lead, Strategic Communications Lead and Media Lead;
• Report on the progress of activities to the Chief Strategy Officer; and
• Build and manage a high performing team, including resource planning, developing staff work plans, professional development and biannual performance reviews.

Organisational Leadership

• Provide strategic policy and communications leadership and direction across the Strategy, Policy and Reform Group and Beyond Blue;
• Ensure activities reflect the diversity of the Australian community;
• Champion and contribute to the execution of Beyond Blue’s business transformation;
• Work collegiately, identify opportunities and solutions, challenges and emerging issues facing Beyond Blue and champion and lead agreed responses across the organisation.

Qualifications and Experience:

Tertiary qualifications, preferably in public policy, journalism or political science.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• Leadership – track record in adaptive leadership and demonstrated skills and experience in leading others through adaptive leadership challenges. Highly developed skills and experience in developing, motivating and managing people.
• Community intimacy – experience in developing and adapting communications, policy and advocacy activities to reflect and respond to community needs and expectations.
• Partnerships – demonstrated experience cultivating and managing Government relationships.
• Strategy – outstanding strategic and critical thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to recognise opportunities and risks.
• Policy Advocacy – demonstrated experience developing and presenting compelling policy positions to achieve positive change.
• Commercial – demonstrated experience overseeing contracts and procurement processes and effectively managing suppliers and sub-contractors.
• Communication and Influence – outstanding written and verbal communication, change management and negotiation skills, with the ability to understand and adapt to different audiences and build productive relationships.
• Personal Drive and Integrity – champions and lives the Beyond Blue values every day; demonstrates professionalism, ethical practices and personal insight.
• Program/Project Management – advanced understanding of program management and agile project management processes, financial management and resource identification and deployment. Ability to oversee multiple complex projects and ensure quality outcomes on time and on budget.
• Presentation skills – accomplished in developing and delivering engaging and effective presentations to a range of audiences, including senior level stakeholders.

Beyond Blue is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age.

We strongly encourage people from all cultural backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are welcome to access the Beyond Blue Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2020-2022.

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button below. Applications should include a current CV with a cover letter that addresses why you would consider yourself to be a cultural addition to Beyond Blue and how your skills and experience would be attributes to the position. If you're viewing this advertisement on another website, a current position description can be found on our careers page.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a National Police Check and where required a Working With Children Check.