Head of Communications and Engagement, Mental Health and Ageing

About the role: 

Reporting to the Director Communications & Engagement, the Head of Portfolio Communications & Engagement - Mental Health and Ageing plays a key role as part of the Communications and Engagement Branch leadership team to ensure best practice communications and engagement across the department.

The Head of Portfolio Communications & Engagement - Mental Health and Ageing leads a team of communications and engagement specialists and guides their work to deliver insights and audience-led communications and engagement.

They are focussed on delivering opportunities for the public and key stakeholders to participate in the reform and delivery of Victoria's health and wellbeing system. They collaborate with senior leaders across the branch and the departments to ensure our communications are integrated and aligned to the overarching Communications and Engagement strategy and departmental narrative.

The Head of Portfolio Communications & Engagement - Mental Health and Ageing is responsible for fostering strong relationships with Communications and Engagement Branch Executive, relevant divisional executives, senior leaders 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 and engagement activities.

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:

• A tertiary qualification and/or substantial expertise in fields related to marketing, communications, media and journalism or business administration would be highly desirable.
• Demonstrated strong experience in people management - including through change and performance issues.
• Demonstrated strong experience in strategy development and implementation. Demonstrated experience leading a communications and engagement teams and delivering contemporary communications strategy in a complex multichannel context including development, implementation and evaluation of communications.
• Demonstrated experience devising and delivering engagement advice and implementing and evaluating engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience successfully providing strategic advice to C-suite Executives Demonstrated understanding of the public service, health sector and the operation of government.

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.
• 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. Click the ‘Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date. 

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.

If you have any queries in relation to participation in recruitment processes at Health, or experience any issues in applying, please feel free to email talentacquisition@health.vic.gov.au. Please note that unsolicited applications from third parties cannot be accepted. If you have questions regarding the role, please message the contact person listed on the advertisement directly.  

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