EL1 Assistant Director, Communications and Media

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is seeking an EL1 Assistant Director, Communications and Media, to lead development and delivery of strategic communications, media and stakeholder engagement activities that promote the work of the Ombudsman and support Australia's small businesses and family enterprises.

About Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

The ASBFEO is part of the Department of Treasury but operates as an independent statutory office holder. Staff engaged with ASBFEO are employed under the Treasury Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027.

The ASBFEO is looking for tomorrow’s capable and professional leaders. This is your opportunity to make a positive contribution for small businesses and family enterprises engaging in the Australian business environment.  

The ASBFEO presents a challenging and rewarding career with the opportunity to contribute substantially to Government policy that affects small and family businesses. The ASBFEO’s staff are drawn from many professions, including those with small business backgrounds, and they bring diversity in experience and skills. We seek passionate staff who will work collaboratively to deliver the ideas and advice that will help the Australian small and family business sector meet the challenges of the coming years.  

Further information on ASBFEO please visit at www.asbfeo.gov.au.

About the role

We are recruiting for an EL1 Assistant Director to join our Communications and Media Team, with an opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary communications team and to work as part of the wider office, both collaboratively and independently. We are a small team that operates in a dynamic fast paced environment, working together to accomplish key priorities for the ASBFEO. While we don’t expect individuals to be an expert in all communications disciplines, we are looking for someone who is willing to use their skills and experience to help shape and inform the work we do across the team.

The purpose of the Communication and Media Team is to provide strategic direction, professional advice and efficient service delivery on a range of internal and external customer facing communication activities including:

• Media engagement.
• Communication strategies.
• Social and digital media.
• Digital production/management.
• Event and sponsorship management.
• Marketing and advertising activities.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Content development.
• Publications and graphic design.
• Brand management and change management activities.  

You will have the opportunity to work across a wide range of communication activities, inter-team projects, and across a variety of external stakeholders and suppliers, to bring information, education resources and works of the ASBFEO to life and to shine a light on the small and family business ecosystem.  

Key duties of the position include:

• Developing and executing evidence-based strategic communication and stakeholder engagement strategies and plans aligned with ASBFEO’s strategic priorities (driving engagement with the ASBFEO and our channels) and monitor and evaluate communication outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Developing and managing media relationships, including effectively engaging with media organisations, journalists and media services providers to secure channel and content opportunities including monitoring the media phone.
• Provision of high-level support to the Ombudsman and senior Executive staff in developing responses to requests and questions from media, ministers, parliamentarians and small business representative organisations.
• Working effectively within a small multi-disciplinary communication team and proactively across the office, to research, review and author high-quality, accessible and fit for purpose content such as digital products, web content, publications, newsletters, reports, educational and informational resources, event collateral, marketing materials, advertising campaigns, stakeholder kits and other public relations activities.  
• Collaborating with and supporting the Advocacy, Assistance and Data Teams with key deliverables including inquiry/referral processes, service promotion and data product launches with through-project engagement, professional advice and assistance in advancing key communications objectives through content development and channel activation in support of the initiative.  
• Consulting and collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders, including Commonwealth government departments and agencies, state and territory agencies, private enterprises, peak industry bodies and individuals on small business and family enterprise matters.  
• Assisting in leading and mentoring a small multi-disciplinary communication team, including proactively managing team’s work program, taking responsibility for meeting objectives, monitor performance, supporting professional growth and fostering a positive team culture.
• Identifying, activating and executing speaking engagements (for the Ombudsman and agency), public appearances, and cross-departmental strategic opportunities.

The successful applicant:

• Is a team-player who is proactive, flexible and adaptive to changing priorities and a high-paced work environment.  
• Is a strategic thinker with a proven record of supporting multi-disciplinary teams to be a key member of the ASBFEO leadership group.  
• Demonstrates ability in providing strategic communication advice on issues and guidance on most appropriate communication approach to individualised projects/activities.   
• Demonstrates the ability to exercise judgement, identify risks and uncertainties and account for these in planning and prioritisation of tasks.  
• Has exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with a talent for generating fresh ideas and seeing them through.  
• Has excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills, have knowledge/experience of small and family businesses, and the ability to empathise and quickly understand issues faced by the sector.  
• Has the ability to translate complex ideas and technical policies into compelling content, tailored for a variety of products and channels, and diverse audiences.  
• Is experienced in Australian Government advertising campaigns and processes, project, financial, contract management and procurement experience.  

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Tertiary qualification in communications/media with a minimum five years’ experience spanning communications and media.
• Sound knowledge of and experience working within a communications function in government is preferred and a passion, commitment and understanding of small business is required.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and public policy advocacy, preferably in a complex business, industry and government context.
• Proven ability to quickly analyse complex, politically sensitive information and formulate measured responses for internal and external use.
• Demonstrated experience using Artificial Intelligence for practical application in a communications/media context.

If this resonates with you but you don’t think you have all the requirements, consider applying or contacting the contact officer. It is common for people to underestimate their contributions and expertise, particularly in some cohorts.

We have a culture of continuous improvement and learning and welcome your reflection on your skills and are excited to help you grow.  We welcome diverse experiences, and you may be just what we are looking for!