- Generous SCHCADS Award salary on offer – SCHCADS Level 8, Pay Point 2 $131,739.92pa
- Full time, ongoing
Drive the narratives and campaigns that directly amplify Djirra’s advocacy, turning strategic communication into tangible reform and lasting influence.
About the Role
We are seeking a Strategic Communications Team Leader to provide senior operational leadership for Djirra’s advocacy engine. This is not a traditional communications role; it is a strategic partnership designed to ensure that every message, media interaction, and digital campaign is deeply integrated
with our core advocacy streams. Reporting directly to the Head of Office of the CEO and working in close partnership with the Director, Strategy & the Team Leader, Policy & Advocacy, you will act as a key amplifier and facilitator of Djirra’s public voice. Your focus is to amplify the CEO’s leadership, help shape public commentary, and ensure that our communications activity drives real world reform. You will balance hands on delivery with high level leadership, embedding communication capability exactly where advocacy impact occurs.
What You’ll Do
In this pivotal role, you will translate complex reform agendas into clear, influential, and disciplined communications. Your key responsibilities include:
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Strategic Integration: Embed communications directly into Djirra’s three advocacy streams, ensuring seamless alignment with organisational priorities and the CEO’s external engagements.
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Narrative Leadership: Lead the development and quality assurance of our strategic communications strategy, crafting media responses, opinion pieces, campaign materials, and executive briefings that resonate with diverse audiences.
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Media & Reputation Management: Oversee proactive and reactive media engagement, assist in shaping public commentary, managing reputational risk, and ensuring consistent, high
quality messaging across all channels.
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Executive Support: Coordinate comprehensive communications support for the CEO and delegates, including briefing materials, speaking notes, and post forum follow up strategies.
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Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and support communications staff embedded within advocacy streams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous capability development.
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Collaborative Advocacy: Partner closely with the Policy & Advocacy team to coordinate workloads and ensure that policy positions, messaging, and stakeholder engagement work in harmony to strengthen Djirra’s influence.
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Community Voice: Collaborate across the organisation to authentically incorporate the voices and experiences of Aboriginal women into all messaging and digital content.
Who You Are
To succeed in this role, you must possess a deep understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community and the systemic issues impacting Aboriginal women, particularly regarding justice, family violence, child protection, and self determination.
Essential Qualities & Experience:
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Cultural Competence: A demonstrated deep understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community and the specific challenges faced by Aboriginal women.
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Strategic Communicator: Extensive experience providing strategic communications and media advice on complex policy and public affairs matters in high profile, values driven environments.
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Narrative Translator: A proven ability to integrate policy, messaging, and narrative, turning complex reform agendas into clear, influential communications.
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High-Stakes Leader: Experience leading communications in fast paced environments, managing competing priorities, tight deadlines, and reputational risk with sound judgment and discretion.
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Master Storyteller: Strong writing and editing skills with a portfolio of high quality media content, briefings, speeches, and digital communications for senior leaders.
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People Developer: A track record of leading, mentoring, and supporting staff to foster collaboration and shared accountability.
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Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with MS Suite, and desirable proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Mailchimp.
To apply, please click the ‘apply’ button and submit your resume, cover letter and completed screening questions which will be sent via email once you have submitted your application. Please note screening questions are a requirement of your application. During the application process
you may see an option to upload a video. Please note this is not a requirement of the application process.
Requirements:
- A relevant tertiary qualification (Bachelor’s in Journalism, Communications, or Public Relations).
- A valid Working with Children Check Card.
- A National Police Check.
Benefits
- Attractive salary packaging options (including meals and entertainment)
- Generous leave provisions apply and annual leave loading
- Employee Assistance Program with supportive, confidential counselling for personal and work concern
- Collaborative and inclusive team
- Additional paid leave for end of year office closure period
- Access to company vehicles for any work related travel
- Cultural awareness training both formal and informal settings is provided
- Accrued Day Off (ADO) Program available to full time staff
Please note this role may close prior to the advertised closing date (if applicable) if a suitable applicant is identified, or if we receive a high volume of quality applicants. If you are interested in this
position, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
