Senior Media Officer

Chandler Macleod is seeking an experienced Senior Media Officer to join a Federal Government client on a 12-month contract opportunity, with a potential 12-month extension.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled media and communications professional to play a key role in delivering strategic media engagement, issues management, stakeholder communications, and high-quality content that supports organisational priorities and enhances public awareness.

Location Sydney, Brisbane or Canberra

Contract Details

• Initial 12-month contract
• Potential 12-month extension
• Approximately 37.5 hours per week
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Estimated start date: September 2026
• Occasional travel may be required
• Participation in a rotating after-hours and weekend on-call roster

About the Role Working as part of a high-performing media and communications team, you will provide proactive and responsive media support across a broad range of initiatives and projects. You will help manage media engagement, develop communications strategies, produce compelling content, and provide expert advice to stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

This role requires excellent judgement, strong writing skills, and the ability to manage sensitive issues while maintaining a focus on quality outcomes and reputation management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective media and communications strategies.
• Manage media enquiries and coordinate timely responses.
• Monitor emerging issues and support reputation and risk management activities.
• Draft media releases, statements, talking points, briefing materials and other communication products.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Create engaging content for a variety of channels and audiences.
• Analyse and report on media coverage, engagement and performance metrics.
• Coordinate multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes.
• Support transparent and effective communication processes across the organisation.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues to achieve shared team objectives.

About You To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and more than five years' experience in media, journalism, public relations, communications or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the contemporary media landscape.
• Proven experience managing media enquiries and providing media advice in fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing media releases, talking points, executive briefings and stakeholder communications.
• Strong judgement, initiative and the ability to manage sensitive information appropriately.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience contributing to strategic communications and media campaigns.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and media monitoring or communications platforms.

Highly Desirable

• Experience working within government, healthcare, or other complex public sector environments.
• Experience supporting issues management and after-hours media response activities.

Security & Compliance Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline Security Clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a National Police Check.

Technology Requirements The successful candidate will be expected to confidently use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools within their day-to-day work to improve quality, efficiency, and outcomes. An Intermediate level capability in using AI technologies is required for this role.

Apply now to be considered for this exciting Senior Media Officer opportunity with Chandler Macleod's Federal Government client. - Aparna Garg aparna.garg@chandlermacleod.com

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.