Senator Barbara Pocock is seeking a full-time ongoing Media and Communications Advisor to join her fleet-footed and effective team. It is preferred for this role to be based in Adelaide and with regular travel to Canberra.

The Media and Communications Advisor will be responsible for development and implementation of strategic media and communication plans. This will include building the Senator’s profile, managing content for social media platforms, providing advice about media messaging and strategy, developing proactive and reactive story ideas, producing content, daily media monitoring, and maintaining and developing your own and the Senator’s relationship with national and South Australian media.

Media work will be focused largely on the Senator’s portfolios of Housing & Homelessness, Finance, Workplace Relations, Jobs & Employment, and Public Sector, as well as on all other issues affecting South Australia.

In addition to regular travel to Canberra for Parliamentary sitting weeks, this position will involve travel around South Australia, as well as some weekend work and irregular hours.

REPORTING / WORKING RELATIONSHIP

• Reports to: Senator Barbara Pocock
• Direct reports: Media and comms team
• Works with: Small, collaborative team spread across Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne as well as linking into the national Greens MPs communications team. 

REMUNERATION

The position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, classified at Electorate Officer B ($74,095 - $86,506). Conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-27. In addition to the salary, an electorate staff allowance may be granted ($2,237 - $35,793) in recognition of additional irregular hours that may be required, and according to employee experience. Generous employer sponsored superannuation of 15.4% also applies. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a comprehensive media strategy for the Senator - as part of a broader communications strategy and office strategy - which encompasses mainstream media and niche online and offline publications, to further build the Senator’s profile. 
• Provide key media and messaging advice, strategy and implementation. 
• Manage the Senator’s social media pages in consultation with the Senator and with assistance from other members of the team. 
• Provide daily morning media monitoring, verbal and written, and update the Senator during the day on breaking relevant stories (portfolios, South Australia, Greens). 
• Accompany the Senator on South Australian, inter-state and Canberra travel, to gain media coverage and create social media content. 
• Maintain a broad network of relationships with journalists and other members of the media, including Press Gallery and national contacts, South Australian media and regional media on SA travel. 
• Proactively identify, research, assess and provide opportunities; develop stories and pitches to a wide variety of news and lifestyle media in print, online and broadcast. 
• Produce and distribute high quality media releases, response to media inquiries, statements, media packs, and opinion articles; circulate to the Greens team; upload to Greens website and post relevant excerpts. 
• Develop, advise on, and manage media events including press conferences, scheduled media appearances, joint media events, etc. 
• Prepare speech notes for the Senator.
• Photography and/or videography of the Senator at press conferences and any events or community activities that you attend with her, for socials content creation. 
• Maintain relationships with other media advisors and relevant staff from across all Greens offices
• Contribute to risk and crisis management by preparing timely media response and implementing communications strategies.
• Other duties as directed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Highly developed written and verbal communication, interpersonal, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
2. Relevant tertiary qualifications and experience in media relations, communications or as a journalist.
3. Demonstrated understanding of the Australian media and political landscapes and sound knowledge of Australian Greens’ policies. 
4. Strong analytical skills and demonstrated capacity to comprehend complex issues, think strategically and adapt to changing circumstances. 
5. Demonstrated experience of managing accounts on all current social media platforms including creating engaging content and using platform analytics to maximise reach. 
6. Proven ability to thrive as part of a small team and being comfortable with giving and receiving direction.
7. Effectively work under tight deadlines and manage projects independently, prioritising and managing workflow.
8. A strong attention to detail.
9. Demonstrated ability to set goals and report against them.
10. Familiarity with MS Office suite, Outlook, and with social media and design platforms. 
11. Has a current driver’s licence.

VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS

• Personal drive, high level of integrity and the ability to work collaboratively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to be an open and transparent communicator.
• Flexible and open to ambiguity with the ability to work to short timeframes.
• Creative thinker and keen team player.
• An understand of and commitment to Greens values.

This is a team that has each other’s backs. Senator Barbara Pocock’s office is an inclusive, safe and respectful workplace and equal opportunity employer. All staff are required to complete anti-bullying, anti-racism and harassment training, and to comply with workplace policies.

All employees are expected to sign a confidentiality agreement and code of conduct prior to commencing their employment. A probationary period of 3 months, with the option of extending by a maximum of two months, will apply.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter of no more than 2 pages addressing the selection criteria and roles and responsibilities, along with your resumé via the "Apply Now" button.

Please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Media and Communications Advisor enquiry via EthicalJobs if you have any questions or queries concerning this role.