Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) is an independent, not-for-profit, consumer think-tank that undertakes research and policy to make Australia fairer. Our focus is on making markets work better for everyone and stopping harms to consumers. CPRC was officially launched in August 2017 and is currently funded by the Victorian Government. CPRC has a strong record of research that shines a light on what consumers need: from our work outlining the market issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic to our ground-breaking work on the issues Australian consumers face in the digital world. Read more about our work here.

About the role

• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
• Work type: Full time contract to July 2025 with potential to extend (tied to current funding arrangements). We are open to receiving applications from candidates who are looking for part-time or job-share arrangements.
• Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 p.a. plus superannuation and 17.5% annual leave loading
• Location: Negotiable. We are arranging a part-time flexible office space in Melbourne but are open to hearing from candidates from across Australia who will WFH.

You’ll be joining a small team of research and policy experts. We’ll rely on you to help tell the story of our unique work. You’ll help us identify the right audience, craft the key messages, and reach people using the media, social media, direct events, newsletters, or other tactics that you feel are right for the project.

The Communications Manager is responsible for:

• Creating a new communications strategy to guide our work
• Crafting key messages about CPRC reports
• Media engagement
• Social media management
• Planning and executing events to promote CPRC work
• Overseeing the CPRC website and newsletter

What’s in it for you?

• Work on projects that make markets fairer. You’ll help us to make the housing market better, stop business misuse of consumer data and work across a range of challenging issues that matter.
• Flexible workplace that lives up to its values.
• New role with opportunity to set up ways of working that you think will work best.
• Supportive manager with a background in communications and experience mentoring staff. Perfect environment for someone looking to grow.

About you:

You’re creative, collaborative, and excellent with words. You’re a communications all-rounder who feels confident using a range of tools to reach audiences. We don’t expect that you’ll have deep experience in all elements of the role, but you will be willing to give anything a go.

You have:

• Experience translating complex ideas into compelling messages
• A strong understanding of the Australian media landscape and how to work with journalists
• A good understanding of how businesses or not-for-profits can use social media to meet their goals
• Experience running online events or an interest in learning the skills to do this work
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to deliver project in budget and on time

Not essential, but an advantage:

• Experience with design software like Canva or Adobe or the confidence to manage freelancers to create visuals to support key messages
• Experience working in a small organisation, in consumer affairs or in a not-for-profit
• Confidence with technology that supports communications work like media monitoring, newsletter creation and basic website updates
• Experience growing a newsletter audience

All applications for this role will require a cover letter to be considered. It is essential that in you include in your cover letter why you are a great fit for this role, and why you want to work with Consumer Policy Research Centre. Cover letters should be no more than two pages and outline what you can bring to the Communications Manager position.