Senior Communications Officer

Do you want to work for a leading national not-for-profit organisation providing dedicated human and social services to a diverse Australia?

With community at the heart of everything we do, our purpose is to create a world in which everyone has access to equal opportunities.

The Role

As part of SSI’s Executive Communications and Media team, the Senior Communications Officer will develop and implement strategic communications in the areas of media relations, corporate, and executive communications. The role exercises creativity and critical thinking skills to craft compelling narratives, identify new communications trends, engage the media, and produce content and strategies that enhance and protect the reputation of SSI and that supports effective service delivery.

This position will be a contract role until March 2026. We are looking for a driven and accomplished communications professional with the ability to work autonomously and combine strategic, creative and analytical thinking with a flexible hands-on approach. You will have solid media experience and the ability to respond to emerging events.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing media enquiries and media interviews; and monitoring the media to identify opportunities to proactively place stories that progress SSI’s key issues and influence the public narrative about the individuals and families SSI supports.
• Supporting CEO public relations activities, including preparing material such as speeches, opinion pieces and social media content that has consistent key messages, and is suited to the audience and platform; well proofed; and written to support the CEO’s voice, tone and manner.
• Collaborating with stakeholders across the organisation to build and implement communications solutions in line with business needs. This includes designing and delivering multi-channel communications campaigns; measuring and reporting on outcomes; and developing and implementing integrated content across channels including website, social media, email, print, earned media and public speaking engagements
• Briefing and advising SSI spokespeople and clients on media engagements and working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with SSI’s trauma-informed media engagement process.
• Exercising creative and critical thinking skills to ideate and deliver engaging and strategic content ideas for owned and earned media channels, including nourishing and engaging with internal stakeholders to develop a strong content pipeline.
• Establishing, maintaining and strengthening relationships across a broad range of stakeholders, including press, clients, staff, departmental representatives, consultants, business analysts, customers and other groups influencing public opinion. This includes timely and regular updates of relationship tracker, Salesforce.
• Writing, distributing and pitching press releases, and amplifying SSI press coverage through internal and external communications channels, in line with SSI’s media release process

About You

As a seasoned Communications professional, you will have a proven track record in the successful delivery and evaluation of media, reputation and issues campaigns.

The Senior Communications Officer must have sound judgement and political acumen, supporting and driving positive awareness through media, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications activities.

Essential criteria:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or Business (degree qualified). Ideally with a journalistic background but this is desirable.
• Minimum five years demonstrated experience in media relations or public relations. Experience working in a culturally and linguistically diverse environment is highly desirable.
• In-depth understanding of the Australian media landscape, with extensive media relations skills and experience.
• Proven experience in content production and publication across all digital mediums including web, social and multimedia.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills and well-developed influencing and negotiation skills.
• Ability to be self-motivated, responsive and flexible in an environment with time pressures and multiple priorities.
• Excellent organisational skills, including complex problem solving, and independently managing and prioritising multiple concurrent tasks. Strong project management skills is essential.

About Us

Settlement Services International (SSI Group) is a community-based organisation and social business that supports newcomers and Australians to achieve their full potential. Taking an integrated approach how everyone can thrive within the community in which they live and the wider Australian society, we support children, young people and families; people living with disability; and asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Our programs include facilitating employment, multicultural foster care, creating community engagement, advocacy, and influencing government and international affairs and provide though leadership within our sector nationally and globally.

About our Benefits

• Salary packaging options to receive up to $15,900 of your salary tax-free meaning more take-home pay!
• Industry leading hybrid and flexible working arrangement supporting work from home and office, including the opportunity of a 9-day fortnight.
• Access to in-house training and learning opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Access to our inhouse wellbeing programs
• Working alongside professional and dedicated team members all wanting to make a difference in our communities.

About our Recruitment Process

SSI Group is strongly committed to actively safeguarding children and young people and providing a safe environment for them to thrive. We ensure children and young people’s safety, and wellbeing is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of everyone at SSI, whether they interact directly or indirectly with children and young people. All employees will undergo a National Police Clearance and a Working with Children Check as a condition of employment.

Our commitment to Diversity

SSI strives to be an inclusive workplace for all people. We recognise that we operate in a diverse community and welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability.

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close 17^th March 2025

If you would like more information on the recruitment process, please contact the talent acquisition team at talent@ssi.org.au or call us on 0403 984893.

A recruitment pool may be created for permanent and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available in the future.

SSI is a Disability Confident Recruiter, and our Talent Acquisition team can assist in providing alternative formats to apply, making adjustments to the recruitment process, (including the application form), and offering information about workplace adjustments and support networks. Should you require adjustments please email us at talent@ssi.org.au

Please note we will be scheduling interviews as applications come in, so please apply urgently if you believe this role aligns with your goals and experience.