About Essential

Essential is an Australian public affairs company working across a range of public interest issues, developing research-based communication strategies and campaigns for clients, including trade unions, NGO’s, government departments and membership-based organisations. 

Essential exists to make organisations of social value stronger, using integrated communications and campaign strategies, which incorporate:

• Market research and polling
• Media relations, issues and crisis management
• Digital and online campaigning
• Content development and marketing
• Advertising and media buying
• Member, stakeholder and internal communications

Our research-based methodology makes sure our clients’ communications are on a solid footing, and our award-winning creative solutions get results and cut through the increasingly crowded and diverse media environment.

We are proud of the work we do and believe in our clients’ work. Most of all, we are committed to delivering a profitable business that also secures social and environmental change to make Australia a better place.

Position Summary

Working for a range of organisations, the Senior Campaigns Consultant provides high quality day-to-day delivery of communication services for clients’ using all forms of print, electronic, social and digital media.  The Senior Campaigns Consultant provides initiative driven support to Essentials clients and over time shows increasing levels of skill and responsibility and less dependence on Account Managers and Directors.

You will have excellent people skills and present professionally to clients. You will be diligent, results-oriented and show strong initiative, ensuring tasks are followed through to the end, and you’ll be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with often-challenging deadlines. You will be comfortable with high expectations, and accountability for your performance, in a strongly supportive work culture.

Accountabilities

Communications and Media Skills

• Monitors media on clients behalf and promptly reacts to stories as necessary
• Works with clients to proactively develop positive media stories
• Advises clients on higher level media and communication techniques such as third party endorsements, liaising with editorial management, niche media and internal member communication
• Writes and produces high quality materials including media releases, opinion pieces and copies, media kits and plans, briefing notes and message documents with minimal oversight
• Manages and attends media events such as press conferences, announcement and publicity events
• Knows the media cycle in detail and actively identifies opportunities, hooks and angles and the appropriate placing of stories
• Implements campaign and project delivery utilising traditional & digital campaigning methods
• Utilises research results to inform strong campaign and communications ideas
• Provides creative input to campaign materials including scripts, videos and online materials

Client Awareness and Support

• In depth knowledge of client issues and scope of Essential’s service offering
• Responds in a timely and professional manner to client needs within the provisions of contract
• Advises clients on best practice use of full suite of Essential services while accessing advice from Account Managers as required
• Participates in the provision of other services to clients (such as attending focus groups, sitting in on strategic meetings and participating in digital services discussions)
• Reports to Account Managers any client issues with the service delivery in a timely manner

Team Work and Project Management

• Works in small teams with various Account Managers at any one time, delivering on conflicting deadlines
• Liaises with and seeks advice from other Essential divisions on best method approach to achieving project outcomes
• Delivers on client needs within project parameters, timelines and budgets under guidance from Account Managers

Relationship Building

• Liaises directly with clients on day to day services
• Attends key client meetings on the advice of or with supervision of Account Managers
• Manages key media relationships and develops accurate and up to date list of contacts and database
• Communicates with relevant internal and external stakeholders to enhance client servicing

Administrative and IT Skills

• Drafts regular client reports and documents such as Work In Progress and monthly reports for Account Managers using Essential templates
• Provides correct and timely expense information on Essential account summaries
• Uses Essential document management and accounting systems with due diligence and within Essential guidelines

Key Selection Criteria

1. Experience as a journalist, media officer or communication officer
2. A track record of success in media work, with proven ability to generate coverage across a range of broadcast and print media including mass market, consumer and online media
3. Understanding of campaign communication and advocacy
4. Strong knowledge of online media and multimedia
5. Effective project and time management skills, including the ability to meet competing deadlines
6. Strong communication skills both written and verbal and experience in writing for a variety of audiences
7. The ability to work in small teams delivering work to tight deadlines in a high-pressured communication, PR and/or newsroom environment
8. Communication or Journalism degree or other equivalent qualification
9. A good understanding of the social and political environment within which Essential works and a commitment to its ethos