Are you a passionate communicator with a love for the Blue Mountains? We are looking for an ambitious Marketing and Communications Manager to support our growth, so that we can better protect the Blue Mountains. The position is a O.5 FTE freelance contract till the 30th June 2024 and the possibility of extension funding dependent. In this leadership role you will have the opportunity to spearhead impactful communications, cultivate a passionate community of supporters and amplify our conservation efforts.

About the Institute

In 2000, over one million hectares of the Greater Blue Mountains was declared a World Heritage Area in recognition of its outstanding natural values.

In 2004, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute was established to meet the need for an independent centre dedicated to the protection of this area through research, education, innovation and advocacy.

Today, the Institute leads change and catalyses action at the forefront of environmental conservation and protected area management.

We are an established social, environmental and scientific enterprise built upon a strong foundation of research, education and community engagement, with a successful history of delivering a wide range of projects and events.

We acknowledge the Dharug, Gundungurra, Wanaruah, Wiradjuri, Darkinjung and Tharawal language groups as the Traditional Custodians of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and pay respects to them, their culture and Elders past, present and emerging.

About the Position

This position will play a crucial role in supporting the Institute’s commitment towards conservation, ensuring the ongoing protection of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and sharing our knowledge to contribute to national and international conservation efforts, including supporting Traditional Custodians to have their voices and knowledge heard. It is well suited to a creative storyteller with a passion for strategically building purposeful brands and turning the unique stories of the Institute and our research into meaningful communications.

This role is embedded across the organisation and connects the successful applicant with world-leading conservationists and scientists and will be key to the realisation of the Institute’s vision. It would be well suited to a science communicator or digi-comms expert looking to work in a new purpose-led and dynamic environment.

This position reports to and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer.

You will be required to:

• Promote brand growth and expansion, building a strong community of supporters
• Develop, plan and implement communication strategies incorporating multi-channel collateral to effectively position the Institute with key audiences
• Develop and deliver a strategic media strategy to build brand profile through local and national media channels
• Capture relevant conservation, science and wildlife stories across multiple mediums from the Institute’s projects to connect with key audiences
• Create content that can be used to raise awareness and knowledge of the Institute's major projects and their impact locally, nationally and abroad
• Write and edit feature stories, online material including blogs, and social media updates and deliberately produce communications materials that engender a connectedness between the audience and the environment
• Review and optimise the Institute’s website, ensuring that the content is current, relevant and engages our key audiences
• Draft, develop and maintain key messages and Q&As that effectively communicate the Institute and our major projects
• Support with proactive and reactive communication across social media and other community relations channels
• Assisting with monthly communication impact reports

Selection Criteria:

We are looking for someone with the following strengths:

• A digital community builder: We are looking for someone who has a good understanding of building communities through digital platforms, including using social media, EDMs, and websites to manage supporter journeys
• An astute storyteller: We are looking for someone who can take complex information and make it not only accessible but shares it in a way that captures the hearts and minds of audiences
• A keen learner: We are looking for someone who takes initiative, is flexible and is eager to learn and grow with us
• Enthusiasm: We’re looking for someone excited about their communications career and a passion for sustainability and conservation
• Strong organisational skills: Our ideal candidate will be highly organised with a high attention to detail, able to plan, execute and deliver communication projects on time
• Team player: We are looking for someone who works well in a team environment, who thrives on collaboration and knows that good communication is key!
• Agility: As our business continues to grow, we are looking for someone who is ambitious, willing to be flexible and committed to building our future with us.
• Values: You’d value different ways of knowing including Indigenous knowledge systems

Optional/desired criteria:

• Qualifications; Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Business, or related discipline
• Digital fundraising experience

Please note: applications will be reviewed as they are received and this role may close when a suitable candidate is appointed, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

For further information contact Jane Powles via [email protected] using the subject line: Marketing and Communications Manager - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.