The Head of Public Affairs is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic communications guidance to the Museum's Director, Executive team, and key stakeholders. This position leads the development and execution of the Museum's media and social media engagement strategies, ensuring the effective promotion and safeguarding of the organisation's reputation. A key aspect of the role involves managing reputational risks, developing crisis communication plans, and fostering strong relationships with media outlets to enhance public awareness of the Museum's initiatives and achievements.
With a deep understanding of the media landscape, the Head of Public Affairs crafts compelling narratives and content that resonate across traditional and digital platforms, ensuring the Museum's mission and strategic goals are communicated effectively to diverse audiences, including government stakeholders, international partners, and the public. By driving innovative media and social media outreach, this position plays a critical role in shaping perceptions, amplifying the Museum's influence, and engaging both new and existing audiences on a national and global scale.
Key accountabilities Working with the Head of External Relations:
Provide strategic communications advice: Offer trusted, high-level communications guidance to the Director, Executive team, and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Shape and manage the Museum's image: Develop and implement strategic communications efforts to shape and maintain the Museum's public image and the Director's profile.
Issues and crisis management: Proactively manage potential reputational risks, including developing crisis communications plans and leading issues management efforts.
Lead national communications campaigns: Design and execute complex national campaigns that enhance public understanding of the Museum's work and cultural contributions.
Oversee media and social media engagement: Manage a high-performing media and social media team to deliver strategic, coordinated communications campaigns that reinforce the Museum's reputation.
Identify and leverage media opportunities: Proactively identify and pursue media and social media opportunities to promote the Museum's mission, achievements and initiatives.
Content creation and narrative development: Craft compelling narratives and engaging content that influences public perception and resonates with key audiences, including government and international partners.
Media relations and briefings: Write media releases, talking points and background documents for the Director and Executive team, ensuring clarity and consistency in key messaging.
Media training and support: Provide media training for the Director, Executive and staff, ensuring they are prepared for interviews and public appearances.
Collaborate on brand and messaging consistency: Work closely with Marketing and Digital teams to strengthen the Museum's brand identity and ensure consistency across all communication platforms.
Skills, experience, and qualifications Extensive experience in public affairs and communications (10+ years), with a track record of providing trusted and strategic communications guidance at a senior executive level and successfully shaping the Museum's public image. Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering complex communications strategies that align with organisational objectives, enhance public understanding of cultural contributions, and effectively position a national cultural institution within the media and public sphere. Proven ability to identify and manage reputational risks, develop crisis management communications strategies, and lead issues management in high-pressure situations, for high profile organisations. Extensive experience managing and mentoring high performing multi-disciplinary communications teams, fostering collaboration, and delivering targeted and cohesive campaigns under tight deadlines and competing priorities. Demonstrated strong relationships and contacts with national journalists across diverse media organisations, government departments, Ministerial offices, and cultural stakeholders, leveraging these networks to promote and safeguard the Museum's reputation and mission. Demonstrated ability to craft and deliver complex, multi-faceted national communications strategies, that enhance public understanding and appreciation of an organisation's work and cultural contributions. Exemplary written and verbal communication skills, with experience crafting compelling narratives, media releases, background materials, and talking points for senior executives. Proven expertise in leading social media strategies, engaging new and existing audiences, and mitigating associated risks to amplify an organisation's impact nationally and internationally. Experience in the cultural sector is highly valued. Self-motivated and results-oriented, with the ability to critically analyse challenges, provide forthright advice, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism. A degree in public relations, communications, journalism, international relations, or equivalent on-the-job experience, is highly regarded. Previous experience working in the cultural sector or within government agencies will be highly regarded. To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must:
be an Australian citizen undergo pre-employment checks, including a police record check hold or be eligible to hold a security clearance at the level specified in the position description. The National Museum of Australia is an equal employment opportunity workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for roles at the Museum.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under RecruitAbility you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under RecruitAbility; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position.
The National Museum of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for, these principles, in theory and practice.
To apply Applicants must include a 2–3 page pitch addressing their suitability for the role against the essential and desirable skills, experience and qualifications (selection criteria). Applicants must also provide a current CV and include contact details for 2 referees.
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