Director Communications, Public Programs & Events

• Canberra ACT
• Ongoing
• APS Executive Level 2

APS Executive Level 2 - Salary range: $140,675 - $153,336 pa.    

Canberra ACT  Ongoing Full-time  

About Various
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About Various
The Communications, Public Programs and Events (CPPE) unit brings together a multi-disciplinary team delivering communications, media, public programs, events and brand support across the Institute.
CPPE is responsible for shaping and managing the AIATSIS brand, visual identity, and tone of voice for all internal and external communications. The Program delivers flagship events and public programs that share the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia. The team works closely with other programs across the Institute to develop strategies and key visual assets that assist in delivering the Institute’s objectives and mission.
At AIATSIS we place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and perspectives as centre of everything we do. We do this through the AIATSIS brand, culturally appropriate content curation, events, public programs, and promotional campaigns across a range of channels. We are proud to share the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia and be part of a nation that has the world’s oldest continuing cultures. We value creativity and are driven to inform, educate, and transform.

About the Role
The Director Communications, Public Programs and Events is a senior leadership role responsible for guiding strategic leadership and program delivery. Working collaboratively across the Institute, this role oversees:

• strategic communications across internal and external channels
• planning and execution of flagship events and public programs, including the annual AIATSIS Summit.
• manages media relations, internal communications, brand oversight and digital engagement.

The Director ensures AIATSIS’s messaging is clear, consistent and aligned with its strategic objectives. The role is pivotal in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, community organisations, corporate partners, and suppliers. You will lead a team of highly skilled professionals to deliver high-impact outcomes. Strong leadership, prioritisation, collaboration, project management, and analytical skills are essential.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• lead the development and delivery of internal and external communication strategies and collaborate on Institute-wide communication outputs across all channels. • oversee media relations, including proactive engagement and reputation management.
• provide strategic oversight of brand and visual identity, including management of digital content and website presence.
• oversee digital marketing and promotion of Aboriginal Studies Press publications, domestic and international exhibitions.
• set program priorities, including development of annual business plans, and monitor performance.
• deliver public program initiatives and flagship events (i.e. AIATSIS Summit, Russell Taylor Oration, Wentworth Lecture, International Women’s Day).
• proactively identify opportunities and develop content to share and showcase the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia.
• identify and monitor communication and media risks and provide expert advice to Senior Leadership on emerging issues.
• supervising and mentoring staff, building capacity and fostering a high-performance team.
• collaborate with AIATSIS senior leaders and external stakeholders to promote AIATSIS’ vision, mission and goals.
• ensure communications are culturally appropriate, accessible and aligned with agency values.
• comply with AIATSIS financial and human resources within the required delegations, policies and procedures.
• contribute to policy development and operational practices that support AIATSIS objectives and vision.

Our Ideal Candidate
To be successful in this role, you will bring strong communication, leadership and project management skills and experience.
You will come with the following skills, experience and attributes:

• proven leadership and project management experience.
• demonstrated ability to deliver large scale conferences and events.
• expertise in strategic messaging, media relations and internal communications.
• ability to manage sensitive issues and complex stakeholder relationships.
• commitment to centering First Nations people, stories and voices in communication materials.
• high-level written and verbal communication skills.
• strong budget and contract management skills
• experience in brand management and digital engagement.
• capacity to mentor staff and build team capability.
• strong interpersonal, management and analytical skills.

Desirable but not essential:

• tertiary qualification in media/communication, business, film or arts.
• experience working in Aboriginal affairs, Aboriginal organisation, department, NFP, for purpose organisation, social enterprise or cultural institution.

Cultural Capability
Roles at AIATSIS require candidates to have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and proven culturally appropriate engagement and communications skills. The nature of this role requires the candidate to be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander with lived experience who consistently demonstrates the following specific cultural capabilities:

• an ability to communicate respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• demonstrated understanding of the current issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and how this is framed by history.
• an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business within the agency and the outcomes the agency is responsible for delivering.

AIATSIS embodies Yindyamarra in everything we do.

Contact
If you have any questions about the role, you can contact Stella de Cos on 02 6129 3*** or at ************@aiatsis.gov.au

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