Media Relations Manager

at  Australian War Memorial

THE ROLE

The Media Relations Manager, under limited direction of the Head, Communication and Marketing, is responsible for delivering a range of proactive and reactive media relations and communication activity. The role includes ongoing development and maintenance of productive working relationships with the media, providing advice on issues management and media engagement to senior management and staff, developing key messages and talking points, and arranging interviews with Memorial spokespeople. The Media Relations Manager is also responsible for researching and preparing briefing notes, Q&A documents, media releases, statements and alerts, pitching stories, management of onsite filming requests and overseeing media coverage monitoring, analysis and reporting.
The Media Relations Manager, with the support of the Senior Communication and Media Officer and the broader Communication and Marketing team, helps the Memorial to effectively promote and engage audiences with stories about research, collections, projects, events and programs. Maintaining relationships across the Memorial and an understanding of its key activities is crucial to this position.
Note: The role will include on call work after hours and on weekends. Due to the on-call nature of the position, a restriction allowance is available.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Working under limited supervision from the Head, Communication and Marketing, the Media Relations Manager will:

• Provide advice to the Director and Executive on complex issues and media engagement opportunities and arrange interviews, prepare briefing materials and supporting content for various communication channels as required.
• Take a leadership role in the development and implementation of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Supervise Senior Communication & Media Officer and staff in broader Communication and Marketing team when they assist with media support activity including launches and events.
• Provide proactive and reactive media relations support on key initiatives including the Memorial’s Development Project.
• Proactively identify and build constructive relationships with key media.
• Manage visiting media and onsite filming requests and agreements.
• Monitor emerging media issues, provide regular media reports, analyse media coverage and provide regular reports to Director, Executive and other key stakeholders.
• Generate a range of written material including feature stories, news articles, media releases, statements and messaging that can be applied across talking points, communication materials, website and social media channels as required.
• Provide media relations support (including development of media relations strategy, information dissemination, and engagement with media in the lead up, during and post each event) for major commemorative events including Remembrance Day and Anzac Day.
• Pitch stories to mainstream media and journalists (including proactive follow up with phone conversations and emails) and mentor Senior Communication & Media Officer on how to craft appropriate media responses, connect with the right Memorial experts and proactively pitch stories.
• Provide and oversee provision of historical material to the media (including photographs, film and background information), ensuring clearance through correct channels and processes as required.
• Abide by and further the principles and practices of Work Health and Safety as outlined in the WHS Act, taking reasonable care for own health and safety and ensuring that acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others.