Director Communications, Media,
Publishing and Shop
Executive level 2
This is an Affirmative Measures opportunity
This position will be filled using the Affirmative Measure provision, which allows for the
targeted recruitment of Indigenous Australians into the Australian Public Service. The vacancy
is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. The filling of this employment
opportunity is intended to constitute an Affirmative Measure under section 8(1) of the Racial
Discrimination Act 1975.
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Our Journey
AIATSIS has a proud identity as Australia’s only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led
national cultural institution that celebrates, educates, and inspires people from all walks of life
to connect with the rights, knowledge, cultures and stories of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples. We play a vital role in developing deeper and shared understandings of
our Nation’s history and future on Australia’s truth-telling journey, working towards collective
healing.
In 2024, AIATSIS celebrates our 60th anniversary and reflects on our evolution as an
organisation during that time. Over the next five years, our operating environment will continue
to change, and we must position ourselves to respond to this change.
Our Vision
To create a world in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, knowledge,
cultures and stories are recognised, respected, celebrated and valued.
Our Purpose
We are the only national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural institution solely
dedicated to telling the story of Australia’s First Nations peoples.
We collect, steward and appropriately share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’
knowledge through our collection, our leadership in research and our network of collaborations
and partnerships by:

• Creating opportunities for everyone to encounter, engage with and be transformed by

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, knowledge, cultures and stories.

• Enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural vitality; and
• Shaping our national narrative.

Our functions are established under the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Studies Act 1989.
AIATSIS is a statutory authority under the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth) and a Corporate
Commonwealth entity under the PGPA Act.
AIATSIS employees are employed under the Public Service Act 1999, with terms and conditions
of employment as set out in the AIATSIS Enterprise Agreement.
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DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA, PUBLISHING
AND SHOP
Vacancy Information
Job Reference 244_11/24
Classification Executive level 2
No. of vacancies 1
Salary $127,226 - $138,677
Group Partnerships and Engagement
Area Communications, Events and Publishing
Employment Status Ongoing
Hours Full time
Close Date 11.30pm, Wednesday 11 December 2024
Contact Person Jason Lyons
0419 630 296
Jason.lyons@aiatsis.gov.au
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About the Group
The Partnerships and Engagement group leads and coordinates AIATSIS public engagement
and communications works. This includes:

• Providing access to the AIATSIS Collection and support clients undertaking Family

History research.

• Marketing, communication, content production, event management services and

publishing.

• Facilitating the return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material

held overseas; and

• Developing AIATSIS commercial revenue streams and partnerships to further our

mission.

About the Program Area
The Communications, Media, Publishing and Shop (CMPS) team are part of the AIATSIS
Partnerships and Engagement Group. The CMPS team is a multi-disciplinary team that
manages the communications, media, social media, speechwriting, website, graphic design
and publishing activities of the Institute. The team provides strategic advice across the
Institute, including but not limited to communications, media and multimedia production,
marketing, brand management and design, web content production and publishing.
We place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and perspectives as central to everything
that we do. The team oversee the AIATSIS brand and website, co-ordinate content production
and promotional campaigns across a range of channels, deliver the Australian Aboriginal
Studies journal, and publish books through Aboriginal Studies Press.
We are proud to tell the story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia and be part of a
nation that has the world’s oldest continuing cultures.
We value creativity and are driven to inform, educate and transform.

Role Summary
The Director of Communications, Media, Publishing and Shop (CMPS) leads the team that is
responsible for the management of communications, media, publishing and shop activities of
the Institute. The Director leads strategic communication activities, is the first point of contact
for external stakeholders and builds mutually beneficial relationships with both internal and
external stakeholders that centre the voices and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples. The CMPS team develops content for use across web, corporate documents,
marketing and event material. This position reports to the Executive Director, Partnerships and
Engagement Group. In collaboration with colleagues across the Institute and client areas, you
will have a key role in helping the Institute to elevate its public image.

Key Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of the role include:

• possess excellent written skills across diverse formats such as, but not limited to, briefs,

speaking notes, speeches, letters, media releases and web articles.

• be a trusted adviser to the senior leadership team on strategic communications, media

management, and opportunities as they develop, with a focus on building reputation and
elevating profile.

• plan, coordinate and implement communication and media activities for the Executive

leadership team and other senior leadership team members. Provide support and advice
on communication strategies, messaging and positioning.

• work closely with the Executive Director of Partnerships and Engagement Group, and
  

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AIATSIS CEO’s Office for all media engagement and opportunities.
• work closely with Directors across AIATSIS, to develop, implement and manage
communication plans and strategies across all areas of the Institute.
• identify and pursue media opportunities and coverage for AIATSIS and for the AIATSIS
publishing arm, Aboriginal Studies Press.
• build positive relationships with media organisations and journalists to maximise the
reach and impact of messaging by AIATSIS.
• ensure that external messaging is in line with the strategic objectives and organisational
goals of AIATSIS.
• oversee the development, implementation and maintenance of media engagement
process for AIATSIS. Work with the team to monitor media for coverage, trends, and
public sentiment, escalating issues to management when necessary.

• oversee the production of relevant content of all types and formats including media

releases, alerts, social media, talking points, Q&As, briefing documents, speeches and
public notices among others, for use across all media: traditional, social, digital media,
and the web.

• oversee the production of the Australian Aboriginal Studies journal.

• oversee the AIATSIS brand and website, co-ordinate content production and promotional campaigns across a range of channels.
• oversee the publication of books through Aboriginal Studies Press.



Cultural capability - essential
Roles at AIATSIS require candidates to have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples and proven culturally appropriate engagement and
communications skills. The nature of this role requires the candidate to consistently
demonstrate the following specific cultural capabilities:

• understands Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business within the Institute and the

outcomes the Institute is responsible for delivering.

• shows respect for the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture,

knowledge and materials when designing and undertaking projects.

• engages and negotiates in good faith to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

peoples and communities.

• has the capability to incorporate Indigenous voices, experiences and perspectives in the

work produced.

AIATSIS embodies Yindyamarra1 in everything we do



1 Yindyamarra is a shared Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal word meaning honour and respect. More broadly it implies
thoughtfulness, graciousness and kindness.


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Skills, knowledge and personal attributes
To be successful in this role, you will have well developed stakeholder engagement skills, proven
capability to lead a team and exceptional writing and communications experience. You will
come with the following skills, experience and attributes:

• highly skilled and experienced communicator, with the ability to support and facilitate

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to share and tell their stories.

• skilled and experienced writer who can adapt language and key messages to engage

different audiences.

• skilled and experienced manager/ leader, with a demonstrated ability to manage/ lead

/mentor a team in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing work priorities.

• excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships with

diverse stakeholders, internally and externally.

• well-organised, with the ability to work under pressure, often in a fast-paced

environment, and prioritise workloads to meet deadlines.

• work without supervision, be proactive and take responsibility for completing tasks

within agreed timeframes.

• strong media experience, including working with external media teams, with a track

record of securing impactful media opportunities.

• highly developed research and writing skills, with the ability to use diverse sources to

find information and fact check.

• results driven and understand the importance of working within a team.

• demonstrated ability to manage marketing and social media activities.
• ability to create media and communications strategies and content as well as associated resources such as media kits, and corporate material.
• strong work ethic is essential and, as a member of a close-knit team, outstanding
teamwork skills, adaptability and collaboration will be key.

What we offer
We understand that you will work best when you have a healthy work-life balance and can
attend to your family commitments. That is why we offer,

• Great salary conditions
• 15.4% Superannuation
• Competitive leave entitlements, including 20 days annual leave, 18 days personal leave,

Cultural, ceremonial and NAIDOC leave, up to 18 weeks parental leave, and the ability to
purchase extra leave.

• Health benefits including, reimbursements for health promotion activities, eye health and

flu vaccinations.

• For eligible employees, generous study leave, course fee and materials assistance, to

undertake relevant accredited study.

• Paid leave during end of year shutdown
• Flexible working conditions
  

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Who to contact
For enquiries about this job please contact
Jason Lyons
Executive Director A/g
0419 630 296
Jason.lyons@aiatsis.gov.au

If you are experiencing any difficulties accessing or submitting your online application, please
contact the AIATSIS Recruitment Team recruitment@aiatsis.gov.au


How to apply
If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you! Apply
through our online recruitment system (e Recruit)
Closing Date 11.30pm (AEDST) on Wednesday 11 December 2024


You will need to address both the Cultural Capability (no more than 500 words) and skills,
knowledge and personal attributes (no more than 750 words) sections, in your response.
Provide a succinct summary outlining why you are interested in this position and why you
believe that you have the cultural capability, skills, knowledge, and experience to be
considered for this role. Please provide examples which demonstrate your ability to perform
the duties of the position.
Your cultural competency will carry more weight than other factors in the assessment. These
requirements are based on the information provided to you as part of the job opportunity.
Do not simply state that you meet the requirements - it is essential that you provide
examples from your current or past role(s) which demonstrate how you meet each of the key
areas or points. You should focus on how your experience, achievements and capabilities
will enable you to successfully undertake the responsibilities of the role(s).
Applicants are also required to submit a current CV/resume.
If you need assistance developing your response, you may want to refer to the applying
for jobs on the Australian Public Service Commission website:
http://www.apsc.gov.au/working-in-the-aps/applying-for-jobs-in-the-aps



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Affirmative Measures positions
Jobs in the APS are open to all Australian citizens. There are some jobs, though, that are open
only to specific members of the Australian population. This practice is known as an Affirmative
measure and is a targeted strategy to ensure the diversity of the APS workforce reflects the
diversity of the Australian population.

Any job can be restricted to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people only, and it doesn't
necessarily have to involve working on Indigenous issues. If a position has been advertised as
an Affirmative measure, it will be clearly marked as such.

The use of the Indigenous Affirmative Measures provision at AIATSIS allows for targeted
recruitment of Indigenous Australians into the organisation. If you are applying for an
Affirmative Measures position, you will need to indicate your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander heritage on our application form and provide confirmation if required.

What is Cultural Capability?
As all positions at AIATSIS are ‘Identified’ each position will have various elements of
involvement with the delivery of Indigenous specific services, programs, and policies as part of
AIATSIS core functions. AIATSIS therefore needs to also identify the cultural knowledge; skills
and personal attributes needed to deliver the required outcomes.

Every part of how we work, who we work with and for, requires varying levels of knowledge of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, protocols and an understanding of issues that
enable effective communication and ultimately effective performance in the role. To assist you in
determining the required cultural capabilities of this role, you can refer to the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability – A Framework for Commonwealth Agencies



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