Head of Media - British High Commission CanberraLead national media engagement for the UK Government in Australia. Creatively use communications to support the UK Government and British High Commission’s strategic objectives. Manage a small team to develop, deliver and evaluate external communication activities across digital, social, news and broadcast communication channels.Role and responsibilities:Work with your team to create and deliver communication plans to support key areas of the UK Government’s priorities in Australia: including Defence, Trade and Investment, Climate and Clean Growth, Science and Technology, Foreign and Security Policy, and high-profile UK ministerial visits.Build strong relationships across the British High Commission and the UK in Australia network, understand UK priorities and how external communication activity can add value and support delivery. Media analysis and reporting across the post.Engage effectively with a range of digital, print and broadcast media (proactively and reactively) to deliver positive coverage for announcements and visits.Stay abreast of emerging issues / news developments / media industry movements; coordinate with relevant teams to create reactive statements and provide communications advice to the High Commission’s senior leadership team. This will include media handling for crisis response (including support for our posts in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands) and consular cases – which could include working outside of regular business hours.Provide in-person media handling by accompanying key spokespeople to media interviews, coordinating logistics with journalists/producers, upskilling staff to engage with media when needed, and providing verbal and written briefings to prepare spokespeople for interviews, doorstops or press conferences.Create copy for our owned channels (gov.uk, social media), organise press briefings and media interviews. Support the development of speeches; talking points; briefing packs; social media content for the High Commissioner.Build strong relationships with London communication teams; working to amplify their content across Australian channels and identify creative opportunities for delivery across Australia.Evaluate communications activity (in line with Government Communication Service – GCS – standards); judging when to undertake light touch or detailed analysis. Drawing out insights and improving communications output.Manage communication team members, working with the Head Political, Climate and Strategic Communications to set direction and ensure delivery.Support the planning and logistics for VIP visits including senior UK Government officials; creating and delivering a strategic media/comms plan; briefings; supporting content/materials; media monitoring.Resources managed (staff and expenditure):No staff. Possibly some programme funds. Line management of communications team members. Management of personal expenditure and potential management of the British High Commission’s communications budget.Essential qualifications, skills and experience:Bachelors degree (or higher) in Communications, Journalism or Public Relations.Minimum 4-5 years' work experience in a communications role.Excellent writing, proofing and editing skills for both traditional and new media.Demonstrated experience in planning, delivering and evaluating communications activity/campaigns.Experience managing corporate or government social media account(s).Knowledge of Australian media landscape; ability to source and maintain a network of media contacts.Demonstrated experience providing trusted advice to senior leaders.Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:Ability to create rich media content for social media e.g. using smartphone for photography, video and editing; creation of infographics/gifs.
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