Executive Manager – Communications

Job Title       
Executive Manager – Communications

Employer       
The Wilderness Society Inc, 57E Brisbane St, Hobart, Tasmania

Location       
288 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria.

Salary       
To be negotiated.

Hours       
Full time

This is a 12 month fixed term contract (to cover maternity leave) with possibility of extension.

TWS Organisational context

The Communications Manager will lead, develop, implement and co-ordinate strategic and marketing communications to support TWS Inc organisational objectives across internal and external communications for campaigns, membership and fundraising.

The EM-Communications is responsible for managing and developing communications functions including the website, production of audiovisual material and publications, online content and communications, brand management, event management, internal communications, external relations and image management.

Positions reporting to the EM-Communications are:

•    Communications Co-ordinator – Branding, Marketing and Supporter Relations
•    Communications Co-ordinator – Internal, Campaigns and External Relations
•    Online Communications Co-ordinator
•    Production Co-ordinator

The position demands high-level management skills and extensive communications experience, and involves working with key internal stakeholders as part of the senior management team.

The role requires strong interpersonal and leadership skills together with substantial experience in managing internal and external communications in a complex environment, the ability to identify issues and proactively develop solutions, to be highly organised and the capacity to manage multiple projects.

This position is within the National Administration structure of TWS Inc. and reports to the TWS Chief Operating Officer.

Job Description

The Executive Manager–Communications' role is to provide strategic direction for TWS internal and external communications activities, effectively manage program teams, undertake budget planning and financial management, and contract and project management.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for leading, co-ordinating and planning the work and managing the staff of the Communications section, including:

1.    Providing leadership, vision and strategic direction for communications to ensure achievement of TWS strategic objectives and targets.
2.    Consolidate and manage a recently restructured communications team through development and implementation of processes, policy, and evaluation procedures.
3.    Develop, implement and manage the TWS organisational branding strategy through strategic market and attitudinal research, marketing analytics and message development for multiple audiences and channels.
4.    Establish the internal communications function through innovative internal communications strategy, policies, practices and products.
5.    Strengthen the stakeholder and external communications functions supporting campaign and fundraising marketing communication.
6.    Developing and managing budgets, and the development and performance of staff and operations and exercising initiative in making improvements to work processes.
7.    Reporting to TWS national committees on communications issues, in particular monthly management reports to the COO and TWS Inc. National Management Committee against program objectives.
8.    Constructively working as a member of the National Administration management team and contributing to organisational leadership, strategy and decision-making.
9.    Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for communications and adherence to TWS organisational policies and procedures eg: Privacy, HR, EEO, OHS etc.

Selection Criteria

1.    Ability to think strategically and demonstrated capacity to identify new opportunities and innovative communications for the organisation.
2.    Capacity to drive results with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing requirements and managing multiple projects effectively.
3.    Demonstrated ability to develop productive working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
4.    A fit or match with the purpose, culture and values of the organisation.
5.    Demonstrated personal drive and integrity to promote TWS values together with high levels of initiative and the ability to handle complexity and the unexpected.
6.    Capacity to communicate effectively and to build a positive image and profile for the organisation.
7.    Relevant tertiary qualifications and extensive experience in external relations, communications, marketing or public affairs.
8.    A commitment to wilderness and environmental protection.

Closing date and application details

Please send your application, including an up-to-date CV and statement addressing the selection criteria for this position, to:

Richard Green
Director, NGO Recruitment
Level 6, 60 Carrington Street
SYDNEY 2000
Phone: [02] 8243 0507
Mobile: 0417 283 324

The Wilderness Society (TWS) is Australia’s leading community-based, not-for-profit environmental advocacy organisation dedicated to the protection and restoration of our wilderness and wildlife under our ‘WildCountry’ vision for Australia.

TWS was established in 1976 to help save the Franklin River and has since played an important role in many of Australia’s great conservation campaigns. Kakadu, the Daintree, SW Tasmanian Wilderness, the forests of Eastern and Western Australia and the wilderness of Antarctica are among the many places TWS has helped save.

Building on these successes, TWS has developed the ‘WildCountry’ continent-wide plan for protecting Australia’s areas of outstanding conservation value – our forests, woodlands, waterways, alpine areas, arid and wetlands, coasts and marine areas. ‘WildCountry’ provides a science-based framework for conservation priorities to give long-term relevance to today’s environmental campaigns and promote close cooperation across a wide range of community conservation programs.

TWS is also taking on an increasing international role during the development of the post-Kyoto international climate framework and educating governments and NGOs about recent groundbreaking research on the significance of Australia’s and the world’s forests as carbon banks.

TWS Organisational Purpose

To protect, promote and restore wilderness and natural processes across Australia for the survival and ongoing evolution of life on Earth.

TWS Organisational Values

1)    Passion for our purpose (courage, strength of conviction, determination)
2)    The power of people to make change
3)    Organisational independence and integrity
4)    Compassion (valuing and supporting people, respecting and having integrity in dealing with others)
5)    Commitment to success in protecting the environment (winning immediate campaigns and achieving long term change)

TWS is an equal opportunity employer that places great importance on principles of non-violence and consensus decision-making.