• Permanent, full-time role
• Flexible working arrangements and an ultra-modern, brand-new office space
• $96K - $100K base + super + NFP salary packaging (income tax savings!)
• 5 wellbeing days in addition to holiday leave
• Work with a great team in a role that's making a real difference

Why join Launch Housing

Our mission is to end homelessness. We aim to get people housed, keep them housed, and be an influential voice on ending homelessness. We are a secular, independent provider of choice for clients and we're striving to be the go-to organisation on homelessness for government, media, philanthropy, private donors and the community.

Our people are the backbone of our organisation and supporting their wellbeing and professional development is critical to our ability to help our clients and the community. We value lived experience and diversity in our staff, and actively work to ensure everyone is able to make their career with Launch Housing fulfilling.

Launch Housing is working to become more trauma informed and as a leading employer in the homelessness sector, it is important to let you know that you will hear stories of distress, hardship, trauma, or violence when working with us. We encourage you to reflect on how this may impact you when considering applying for the role. Sustaining the Health & Well-being of our staff is our priority. We provide adequate training & supervision, Wellbeing Days, and access to Employee Assistance Program.

Our permanent and fixed-term employee benefits include:

• Contributing to useful and rewarding work and giving something back to the community
• Wellbeing days, ceremonial leave, carers leave and study leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Purchased leave
• 17.5% leave loading
• Gender neutral paid parental leave (after 12 months of service)
• Training and career growth opportunities across Launch Housing
• A portion of your income can be tax-free by salary packaging your personal expenses
• Additional tax-free salary packaging on dining and accommodation expenses
• Positive, supportive and progressive work environment

What you'll be doing

Launch Housing is on the hunt for a Media, PR and Social Specialist eager to use their media relations and copywriting superpowers to help us end homelessness in Melbourne.

Due to an internal move, we’re looking for a new star to join our growing team in the new year. Our ideal unicorn is an experienced media relations pro with brilliant writing skills that engage audiences via social media, a nose for news and track record in pitching stories beyond this, and a great network of contacts across this rapidly changing media landscape.

They'll have the ability to think outside the square when it comes to securing media attention, a savvy approach to stakeholder engagement and influencing, and a sixth sense for detecting and managing reputational risks.

A hands-on, can-do attitude will help this role raise awareness of the complex nature of homelessness, challenge the stigma that surrounds homelessness and advocate for collaborative solutions that will help make Melbourne a world leading city in ending homelessness.

Along with top-notch writing skills, the equivalent people skills are key too: this role interacts with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders and works collaboratively with our Partnerships and Engagement, Executive Leadership and service delivery teams.

You will:

• Lead the development and delivery of media and public relations strategy that challenges the stigma of homelessness, amplifies stories of lived experience, and positions Launch Housing as a trusted expert catalysing change to end homelessness within a housing crisis in Melbourne;
• Identify opportunities and relationships to secure solutions-focused media coverage (news, editorial/lifestyle, sector, digital) that extends beyond the news cycle to reach new audiences;
• Provide strategic media advice, support, briefings, and training to key spokespeople including the CEO and Executive Leadership Team;
• Manage and minimise all reputational risk issues including preventative risk mitigation strategies, and any ‘hot issues’ associated with housing, homelessness and vulnerable people;
• Liaise with journalists and our Chief Storyteller to seek and deliver opportunities to amplify lived experience stories of homelessness and solutions that challenge stigma.

What we’re looking for (key selection criteria)

We're looking for someone with personable approach, high level of confidence working with both internal and external stakeholders, relevant experience with media management and PR strategies delivering results. You like busy roles and adaptable to changing priorities and meeting deadlines.

You will also have:

• Tertiary qualification in communications, media, public relations or related field and/or demonstrated relevant expertise.
• A high level of media management, working with journalists, newsrooms and PR teams with demonstrated results.
• Strong experience working with, and writing for, digital and social media platforms that engages audiences.
• Excellent written skills, able to influence a range of stakeholders powerfully, succinctly and accurately.
• Experience working successfully across all levels of an organisation.

This position is classified under ‘special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. While all applicants are invited to apply, applicants who indicate that they identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander will be prioritised in the selection process.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this opportunity, please click on "Apply Now" button. Please submit a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and your CV.

If you need additional information about this role, please contact Janita Suter - Marketing & Community Engagement Manager, Partnerships & Engagement - using the subject line: Media, PR & Social Specialist enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please note shortlisting will occur on a rolling basis, so please don't delay in submitting your application!

A position description is attached.