Who we are.

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, we care for water, life, and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.

Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet, run through a backyard sprinkler, or kayak down the Yarra we are there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.

If you value making it count, diving in with curiosity, and doing what is right, you are in the right place.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager, Media, and Reputation the role of Senior Media Advisor is a pivotal role within the Media and Community Affairs. In this role you will be responsible build Melbourne Water’s brand and reputation by driving proactive and positive coverage of Melbourne Water’s services and work via traditional media. You will maintain a proactive program of positive PR and effective issues preparedness. Monitor internal and external environment to develop proactive media plans, stories and communications assets and reactive media statements. Ensure Melbourne Water spokespeople are briefed, prepares media performance reports, and help to maintain a proactive program of positive PR and effective issues preparedness.

• Works closely with the Corporate Communications team to understand Melbourne Water’s brand and reputation plan and key priorities, to positively promote and build our Melbourne Water’s brand and reputation.
• Drive proactive PR management programs building brand recognition and maximizing positive sentiment of the Melbourne Water brand and services in the community.
• Develop and maintain a calendar of positive PR activity and supporting media statements, briefing documents, and support materials.
• Plan and pitch positive stories to media (producers & journalists) to promote Melbourne Water and generate increased positive coverage.
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with media and journalist relationships.
• Manage any reactive media enquiries to proactively manage out any media issues to protect Melbourne Water’s reputation by minimizing negative commentary.
• Responds to media enquiries, researches, and develops reactive media statements, briefing documents and support materials within tight deadlines ensuring Melbourne Water spokespeople are fully prepared.

This role has a requirement to act as the media on-call representative and participates in rotating on call roster and escalation always ensuring effective media support for Melbourne Water incidents and issues.

For more information, please refer to the attached Position Description

About you:

• Exceptional media management experience and PR skills.
• Highly creative with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven and demonstrated ability to plan and implement effective PR programs and media outreach to support delivery of business priorities, projects, and campaigns via owned and earned channels.
• Demonstrated proactive and reactive media management skills, including preparation of spokesperson briefing and support materials.
• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in all communications and materials.
• Sound commercial acumen and judgement gained in large or complex organisations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an agile cross functional team while working with a high degree of responsibility to meet tight deadlines.

Why join us:

At Melbourne Water, we care deeply about water and the life it sustains. 

Our team is inspired by passion and purpose, with an unwavering commitment to safety. We are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We do not just talk about flexible working - we live it. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning flows through everything we do. We are dedicated to doing what is right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.

If you are curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and passionate about public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive your application and learn if you could be a great fit. 

How to Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.

Closing date: Monday 17^th February 2024 at 11:55pm AEST