Head of Strategic Communications, Communications and Engagement

About this role

About the role:  12 months Fixed Term Full Time or .8

Reporting to the Director Communications, the Head of Strategic Communications plays a key role as part of the Communications and Engagement Branch leadership team to ensure best practice communications across the department.

The Head of Strategic Communications leads a team of communications specialists and guides their work to deliver insights and audience-led communications that contribute to the department's strategic priorities. They collaborate with senior leaders across the branch to ensure our communications are integrated and aligned to the overarching Communications and Engagement strategy and departmental narrative.  

The Head of Strategic Communications is responsible for fostering strong relationships with Communications and Engagement Branch Executive, relevant business areas and key external stakeholders and ministerial offices.   

They play a strategic role in considering the department's brand and values and how they are expressed in all communications. 

They may also be required to provide support to other teams across the Branch as and when required, including participating in out of hours emergency rosters, providing support large-scale communications campaigns and other high priority projects.  

About us: 

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.  

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all. 

About you:

• Demonstrated experience in people management.

• Demonstrated understanding of the public service, health sector and the operation of government.
• Demonstrated experience leading a communications team and delivering contemporary communications strategy in a multichannel context including development, implementation and evaluation of communications.
• Lead a communications team that delivers contemporary communications strategy in a multichannel context including development, implementation and evaluation of communications by:
  • supporting individuals to achieve their potential and contributing to organisational goals and outcomes.
  • modelling behaviours integral to good people management and departmental values.
  • where relevant, managing and monitoring specific improvement objectives in annual improvement plans relating to the area of responsibility.
• Sets clearly defined objectives and priorities and operates accordingly, reviewing and adjusting as required; identifies processes, tasks and resources required to achieve a goal; establishes systems and procedures to guide work and track progress; recognises actual and potential barriers and finds effective ways to deal with them.
• Excellent writing skills, with proven ability to quickly and accurately develop engaging content for applications including websites, speeches, social media, briefs and reports; as well as the ability to review and edit others' content.
• A tertiary qualification and/or substantial expertise in fields related to marketing, communications, media and journalism or business administration would be highly desirable.

What we offer: 

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service & Sector.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

How to apply: 

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. To view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date please see the PD attached. 

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at inclusion@health.vic.gov.au. For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity see inclusion and diversity at the Department of Health.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence in line with our Privacy Policy.