Director – Media And External Affairs

Learn how a merit list or pool may be usedApplicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool. If the applicant agrees, the results may be shared with other Australian Public Service (APS) agencies for filling similar roles. Applicants may be offered a future role, without the need to reapply. A merit list or pool may be used for up to 18 months.

This merit list or pool may be used to fill other vacancies anywhere in Australia.
The Director – Media and External Affairs will provide professional, dynamic and strategic advice on high-level media engagement and external communications to the Chief Justice, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar (CEO/PR), the Judiciary, and executive management of the Courts.
The key duties of the position include:The Director – Media and External Affairs leads a small team that delivers media-related and other external communications projects that inform stakeholders and the public about the work of the Courts to strengthen understanding of and public trust in the FCFCOA.

The Director – Media and External Affairs must have the personal and professional capabilities to handle the demands of responding to issues that are complex and highly sensitive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. This must be balanced with competing priorities and expectations of a high level of output and outcomes that are played out in the public domain on a regular basis.
Key Duties:Strategic framework and advice:Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic framework for delivering external communications and media engagement activities.Provide specialist strategic media and communications guidance on the management of both reactive and planned media and external affairs issues to the Chief Justice, CEO/PR, and executive management.With an emphasis on transparency while operating within a legal framework, manage risks to the Courts by providing professional and sound judgment, in consultation with the head of jurisdiction and the CEO/PR.Project management and initiatives:Lead the development of key initiatives and projects, relevant policies, high-level messaging, broad stakeholder engagement frameworks and relationship building with relevant community and professional stakeholders.Leadership:Manage staff who deal with incoming and outgoing communication with the media nationally on behalf of the Courts and establish protocols for responding promptly and efficiently to media requests.Provide leadership, guidance, and advanced expert advice to internal stakeholders on media-related issues and oversee the development of internal protocols, programs, and other materials to educate court staff on media-related communication practices and processes.Representation and Stakeholder Engagement:Develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.Represent the Courts at speaking engagements, providing authoritative advice as a leading spokesperson on courts and the media.Utilising a multitude of professional communication styles and platforms, provide strategic direction and advice on the Courts' online and social media presence and activities.Other Duties:Manage the Courts' approach to media engagement and external communications during major and/or crisis events, including events that may involve situations that are highly sensitive and emotional.Oversee the development and management of relevant contracts as required.Reporting lines and key relationships
The role reports to the CEO/PR and works closely with the Chief Justice and his Honour's chambers staff. The role also involves working with the Judiciary, Senior Executives, key members of the Courts' National Operations Team, and relevant Corporate Services teams. The role regularly liaises with external stakeholders from the media, government, legal, and community sectors.
Qualifications and Experience Required At least 10 years' experience as a senior manager delivering strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and media management is required. Qualifications are required in public relations, marketing communication, journalism, and/or other relevant qualifications and experience. Demonstrated achievements operating in large and complex environments, preferably within government or a legal context.
Experience is required in implementing, planning, and coordinating complex media and external communication strategies, in particular the ability to:
Develop strategic and innovative approaches to media relations and external communications activities.Identify opportunities to share positive narratives, anticipate reactions, and adjust communications accordingly.Implement pro-active public relations strategies.Exercise sound judgment and provide high-level advice to the Courts' leadership teams on communication opportunities.Connections and professional relationships with journalists from a wide range of media outlets, from senior legal reporters from national print media to television producers to regional radio presenters.
Selection Criteria Well-developed management and organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, critically evaluate large volumes of information, and monitor workflows and standards to meet tight deadlines and manage competing priorities effectively.Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and accept responsibility associated with decision-making.Demonstrated ability to develop, coordinate, and implement complex media communication strategies and initiatives, including innovative approaches to media relations and external communications and pro-active public relations strategies. The ability to provide high-level advice to the Chief Justice and the Courts' executive, and to work collaboratively in a national team in a high-pressure environment.Excellent written and oral communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, write and edit materials for publication, such as media releases, opinion pieces, speeches, social media, letters to the editor, published articles, and communicate effectively with judges and staff of the Courts, external organisations, Government and stakeholder groups.Highly developed interpersonal, presentation, and liaison skills, including the advanced ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with key stakeholders and to represent the Courts in a variety of situations and to a range of audiences, including external organisations, other government agencies, and stakeholder groups.Demonstrated ability to maintain a professional approach and exercise sound judgment and discretion in decision-making in a high-pressured environment, including during events that may be critical and urgent in nature.Demonstrated ability to manage social media accounts on behalf of an organisation and broad knowledge of how media and social media can be used to reach organisational and business goals.Professional discretion, including tact and diplomacy, and an understanding of how to approach sensitive and confidential information and exercise careful discretion on sensitive matters.Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following:
Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.
NotesDiversity and Inclusion
Federal Court Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability.

First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.

Federal Court Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.
How To Apply
To apply for this position please click on the "Begin" button on the Federal Court website.
If you have any technical issues with applying, please email ******
Application Close: Wednesday 25 December 2024 at 11:30 pm (AEDT)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability Getting to know the Federal Court of AustraliaThe Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar of the Federal Court, together with officers and staff identified under the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 and the Native Title Act 1993, constitute a single Statutory Agency for the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999. Employees are engaged to work in support of the following courts or tribunal:• Federal Court of Australia,• Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and• National Native Title Tribunal. Employees are covered by the Federal Court of Australia Enterprise Agreement 2018–2021. The Federal Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court each maintain a distinct statutory identity, with separate functions and judicial independence.

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