Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) is seeking someone who will play a key role in engaging the community in environmental sustainability and local food production by implementing our communications strategy. In this position you would:

• Support SGA’s passionate team to provide the community with evidence-based information and education to protect and enhance the natural environment, encourage local food production and healthy communities
• Take the leading role in implementing SGA’s communications strategy (part time - 0.4 - 0.5 FTE) through its communications including its website, social media, newsletters and other interactions with stakeholders
• Build SGA’s presence and help develop new revenue streams using analysis of communications performance and your creativity

This job is part time (0.5 FTE) and initially a 12 months contract with requirement to work on Wednesdays in Melbourne and flexibility for other times and working from home. Salary is based on a full-time salary of $67,000 - $73,000 per annum plus superannuation and leave entitlements. There will be opportunities for taking on more responsibility.

Position Description

You will join a friendly, supportive and collaborative group of dedicated people. Your role will include, but will not be limited to:

• Creating and managing SGA’s communications which are predominantly digital i.e. website including appearance, content and SEO, social media, monthly and quarterly newsletters, bulk emailing and membership management.
• Developing content for SGA’s digital platforms that reflects SGA’s strategic plan, objectives and goals, key messaging and marketing.
• Building reach of SGA’s digital platforms with target audiences including home, community and professional gardeners, local and state government departments and the general public.
• Through data collection, analysis and market research, evaluating communications performance in order to develop and drive new initiatives and approaches to increase SGA’s reach and revenue.
• Participating in team meetings with other specialists and volunteers and liaising with management and the Board as required. There will be opportunities to take on more paid management responsibilities as the role develops.

Key selection criteria

Essential

• Demonstrated qualifications and 2 years minimum professional experience in communication
• Demonstrated knowledge/interest in environmental sustainability and evidence-based methods of growing plants
• Excellent written communication skills which enable communicating effectively with a wide range of audiences using a range of platforms
• High level of proficiency in creating digital content and managing use of web programs such as WordPress (WPBakery Page Builder), Mailchimp or SendinBlue
• Expertise in social media including Facebook Business Suite, Instagram and Twitter
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to use data to measure program effectiveness through social media insights and Google Analytics to manage decision-making and develop new initiatives and revenue streams
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Demonstrated extensive leadership and interpersonal skills which will allow effective collaboration with volunteers and staff of the small SGA team and other stakeholders
• Proficiency in creating, obtaining and editing images using programs like Canva or Photoshop

Desirable

• Qualification in horticulture, environment and sustainability or experience in environmental programs
• Experience in running web-based membership programs such as PaidMembershipPro or similar membership management software
• Experience in working in teams as well as autonomously
• Management experience in not-for-profit or small organisations

About Us

At Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) we are passionate about the natural environment and know that through gardening all of us, including local and state government, can help achieve our mission of a healthy, biodiverse planet and vibrant, sustainable communities.

SGA is a not-for-profit social organisation and is a registered charity on the Commonwealth government’s Register of Environmental Organisations. Our purpose is to inspire, empower and connect individuals, communities and organisations to garden sustainably in order to:

• protect and enhance the natural environment to ensure its sustainability; and
• provide information, education and conduct of research about the impacts of gardening on the natural environment, soil conservation, water quality, biodiversity and ecologically sustainable development

For nearly 20 years, SGA has been a leader in the transition of reducing deleterious impacts of chemical garden products and providing gardening education. SGA offers training for those interested in gardening in home, community and professional contexts.

Our website, social media and newsletters are essential to convey important information about our activities and needs as well as sustainable practices in gardening - whether that be in parks, home or community gardens, balconies or growing plants indoors.

Our team functions through a combination of attendance at the office in Bulleen and working from home aiming for one day where the whole team is present to facilitate meetings, information exchange and generation of new ideas.

SGA is an equal opportunity employer.