RACE for 2030 CRC

Reliable, Affordable, Clean Energy (RACE) for 2030 is an industry led cooperative research centre established in 2020 with $68.5M of Commonwealth funding.

With over 120+ partners who cover the whole value chain from end user back to network, technology companies, governments, and many of Australia’s leading energy researchers. We will invest $350m of resources over 10 years to catalyse lower energy costs and a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. RACE’s research learnings will deliver our targets of reducing energy costs, cutting carbon emissions and increasing customer load flexibility to allow increased penetration of renewables in the grid and increased reliability.

About the Role (3-year contract position / Hybrid working environment)

RACE for 2030 is seeking a dynamic Marketing and Communications Manager to strengthen our brand profile and cultivate deeper, more meaningful engagement with our partners and stakeholders.

Reporting directly to the COO and working closely with the leadership team, you’ll play a central role in communicating RACE for 2030’s research outputs. This will involve delivering targeted communications, managing media relations, managing events, supporting stakeholder relationships, and overseeing extension and engagement activities across various channels.

About you

You are a creative and versatile communications expert, capable of seeing the bigger picture and aligning communications with overarching goals. You are inherently agile, thriving in an ever-changing environment and readily adapting to evolving priorities. You possess exceptional skills in compelling writing, impactful design, and adept digital platform management.

You bring innovative ideas to the table, and you are an active listener who values diverse perspectives. Importantly, you are also self-assured, confidently articulating your ideas and recommendations. Your approachable nature fosters strong working relationships, and you are not afraid to negotiate and persuade, contributing meaningfully to discussions. Your proactive, detail-oriented approach will support in shaping and strengthening how RACE for 2030 connects and engages with its valued partners and the broader community.

Duties

Planning and governance:

• Proactively develop and implement impactful communication strategies that directly support and advance RACE's mission and strategic objectives.
• Lead and facilitate the annual planning process for all marketing and communications activities, ensuring alignment with overarching organisational goals.
• Champion and safeguard the RACE brand and marketing strategy, ensuring a strong, consistent and impactful message with a unified brand identity across all channels and touchpoints.
• Provide recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team and Board on communication strategies.

Media relations:

• Proactively cultivate relationships with media outlets and influential industry organisations to secure high-quality, positive coverage, and actively promote RACE for 2030 initiatives.
• Craft and deliver impactful press releases, thought-leadership articles, and engaging digital content.
• Lead the development and execution of RACE's mainstream and digital media strategy to amplify its voice and reach target audiences effectively.
• Maintain RACE's social media presence and online assets, creating engaging content and fostering online communities.
• Monitor media coverage, provide timely internal updates, and strategically amplify positive mentions to enhance RACE's public image.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Strengthen relationships with a diverse range of key stakeholders, including RACE for 2030 CRC Partners, suppliers, partners, event organisers, and relevant industry bodies, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Partner closely with program teams to ensure seamless alignment of communication and engagement plans with overarching organisational objectives, maximising impact and reach.

Content:

• Develop impactful content tailored for various channels, including websites, social media platforms, email marketing campaigns, print publications, ensuring consistent brand messaging.
• Oversee the creation and delivery of key RACE communication outputs, such as the annual report, research findings, newsletters, electronic direct mail (eDMs), project publications, and marketing collateral, maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy.
• Lead the ongoing maintenance, integration, and continuous improvement of the RACE website, ensuring a user-friendly experience and optimising it as a central communication hub.

Event management:

• Execute and manage RACE sponsorships and events, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines.
• Oversee contract management for events, at times negotiation, vendor liaison and compliance.
• Lead the full project lifecycle of RACE events, including new initiatives, report launches, knowledge sharing webinars and partner collaborations. This includes the planning, budgeting, execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Collaborate effectively across internal teams to deliver successful events, conferences and sponsorships, fostering strong working relationships.

People management:

• Manage the marketing and communications function and associated personnel (contractors and freelancers).
• Provide mentorship and guidance to the junior team members and colleagues.
• Collaborate cross functionally to deliver on ad-hoc projects.
• Manage all marketing and communication supplier relationships.

Monitoring and analytics:

• Establish and implement comprehensive monitoring and analytics frameworks across all marketing and communication channels (e.g., website, social media, email, media coverage).
• Regularly analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) and marketing data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop actionable insights and data-driven recommendations based on analytics findings to optimise marketing strategies, enhance campaign performance, and improve audience engagement.
• Present clear and concise reports on marketing performance and analytics insights to relevant stakeholders.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in marketing and communications.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build rapport and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven track record of successfully managing media relations, securing positive coverage and effectively engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing, implementing and evaluating impactful communication strategies that achieve organisational objectives.
• Experience in brand management, ensuring consistent and compelling brand messaging, and creating engaging content across various platforms.
• Proficient in managing budgets, tracking expenses, and providing clear and concise reports on marketing and communication activities.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated communication and engagement initiatives.

Desirable

• Interest or experience in the clean energy space and knowledge of key industry players is desirable.
• Sound understanding of relevant industry trends, policy landscapes, and current news to inform strategic communication planning.
• Adobe Creative suite experience.
• Knowledge of WordPress.

RACE for 2030 embraces diversity and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Ready to apply?

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews will be scheduled on an ongoing basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications early.