• Communications / Corporate Services
• EL1 (Non-ongoing for 16 months)
• Full-time or Part-time (0.8 FTE minimum)

Are you a highly skilled marketing and events specialist, experienced in delivering large corporate events that achieve high-level strategic goals? Are you skilled at event/project management, including the ability to plan, budget, prioritise workloads and meet strict deadlines?

We are seeking a highly motivated, creative and experienced team player to manage our marketing and events function, within an organisation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of Australian families.

About us

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS, or ‘the Institute’) is the Australian Government's key research body in the area of family wellbeing. It is an independent statutory authority established in 1980 under the Family Law Act 1975. It is also home to the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC), established under the Gambling Measure Act 2012 which builds the evidence base on gambling-related harm. The Institute is an agency within the portfolio of the Department of Social Services (DSS).

AIFS’ mission is to conduct high-quality, impartial research into the wellbeing of Australian families, to inform government policy and promote evidence-based practice in the family services sector. We conduct research, provide independent advice and communicate findings to government policy-makers, service providers, researchers and the community about factors affecting family wellbeing. Through our research, we contribute to developing policy and practice to promote the wellbeing of families in Australia.

Our team

The Communications Team works closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure AIFS is recognised as a leading source of research and evidence-based resources related to family wellbeing. Our aims are to support high quality policy and practice, effectively impart research evidence, and influence national conversations about family wellbeing.

To do this, we help translate research and evidence into easy-to-understand materials for diverse audiences – including practitioners, government personnel, policy-makers, academics and the general public. We use a range of platforms to publish and promote our work – including AIFS website and mini-sites, intranet, social media channels, e-newsletters and advertising. We also work closely with media personnel to impart research findings in news media, and manage the biennial AIFS Conference and other events, including a highly successful webinar program.

As part of our external communication efforts, we manage the organisation’s reputational risk, government relations and brand identity. We also manage internal communications, to help build a cohesive and positive culture in which staff are well informed about areas of strategic focus, and able to contribute positively to broader organisational goals.

Position Requirements

The Marketing and Events Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination and delivery of marketing communications activities to support AIFS’ strategic objectives. The role works with internal staff, suppliers and external stakeholders to ensure AIFS is positioned as a national leader on research into family wellbeing. A significant part of the role will be planning and managing the Institute’s 3-day biennial conference which attracts more than 600 delegates from across the country and includes a program of 200+ speakers (keynotes, panellists and session presenters). AIFS’ next conference will be held in September 2026.

Within the broader Communications team, this position manages the Marketing Communications team (3 direct reports), which is responsible for promoting AIFS’s research to key audiences via social media, e-newsletters, events and webinars. This role also manages internal communications and supports the Head of Communications with the delivery of the communications strategy, including preparing and monitoring the marketing budget, and broader planning and project management.

Position duties

Under the direction of the Head of Communications, the Marketing and Events Manager is required to:

• Lead and manage the Marketing Communications team and oversee the day-to-day work of direct reports (3 people).
• Oversee implementation of the 2025-26 Social Media Strategy and develop the next strategy.
• Work in collaboration with internal stakeholders, develop and implement communication plans that meet project aims, and AIFS’ broader strategic objectives.
• Ensure that AIFS marketing communications channels comply with brand and style guidelines and are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Communications Strategy.
• Manage the end-to-end planning, coordination, delivery and evaluation of the 2026 AIFS Conference including:

• Work with the Steering Committee and sub-committees to ensure a successful event that achieves AIFS’ strategic objectives.

• Coordinate project governance for the Conference and report on progress and risk management to the Steering Committee.

• Liaise with departmental and ministerial stakeholders about sponsorship and/or speaking obligations.

• Work with an external Advisory Group and Wurundjeri representatives to ensure an inclusive and culturally safe event.

• Liaise with external suppliers to meet project objectives, including leading the appointed Professional Conference Organisers (external event company).

• Manage the Conference budget, including regular monitoring and reporting.

• Champion a business partner culture which focuses on developing and implementing responsive, creative and impactful marketing communications plans.

• Actively promote a culture where AIFS Values and Behaviours, APS Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct are promoted and applied within the workplace.
• Collaborate with the AIFS Privacy Team to incorporate privacy practices into work undertaken within the team.

Key Selection Criteria

• Professional expertise
• Achieving results
• Relationships and interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership and management
• Values and integrity

For a comprehensive overview of the selection criteria, please see the Position Description for more information. 

Terms

The Marketing and Events Manager role will be offered as a full-time or part-time non-ongoing position for a period of 16 months at the EL1 level. This will be with a salary range of between $116,973 to $129,176 depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate, plus 15.4% superannuation.

Application information

To apply, please click the Apply Now link for full requirements. Please complete the Application Form where you will need to attach your resume and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the selection criteria outlined on the Position Description.

Contact: Human Resources

Contact Phone: 03 9214 7888

Contact Email: [email protected]

Position Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for engagement, applicants must be Australian citizens unless special approval is given. For example, applicants with permanent resident status who have applied or intend to apply for Australian citizenship may be considered for engagement.

Conditions of engagement including probation, health and character clearances (including police records check, Working with Children Check and security clearance) may apply to this position.

Position notes

AIFS is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, mature age people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people with parenting and/or caring responsibilities.

We provide a family-friendly and flexible workplace that supports the wellbeing and professional development of our diverse workforce. Benefits include workplace health and wellbeing activities, a good health promotion allowance and Christmas closedown period with no deduction from leave credits. Our salaries and conditions of employment are set out in our Enterprise Agreement.

A position description is attached.