• Location: Based in Sydney, Australia
• Duration: This is a full time fixed term contract position from June 2024 through January 2025 with possibility of extension with part time hours
• Schedule: Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office

About the role

IFAW Oceania seeks a creative, self-propelled, detail-oriented, and passionate individual to serve as the region’s Communications Manager. This job best suits an individual who brings an abiding interest in the substance of IFAW’s work (animals and the planet) and impeccable communication skills with a proven track record of strong writing and storytelling, brand and marketing knowledge. Organisational capabilities such as time-management, reliability as a team player and the ability to prioritise and focus in a busy environment is a must. The ideal candidate has the ability to promote IFAW’s work across a variety of channels, effectively driving advocacy efforts and supporting brand and fundraising goals. 

The Communications Manager is responsible for implementing IFAW’s global as well as regional communication strategies by executing media and public relations initiatives to raise the brand profile and maximise IFAW’s influence in animal welfare and conservation. Mobilising public support for legislative reforms and fundraising appeals are a key priority of this role.

The candidate thrives on working in close collaboration with colleagues from across the globe and is expected to 1) deliver against global communications and brand marketing goals, 2) champion core communication strategies within the Oceania regional office, 3) elevate Oceania-led programmatic themes to a worldwide audience, and 4) support globally-prioritised IFAW activities and campaigns in a manner uniquely relevant to an Oceania audience. 

Role and Responsibilities:

• Deliver against the global communications strategy by developing and implementing work plans to meet IFAW Oceania’s program and organisational objectives. Maximise global interest in IFAW’s work in Australia to build brand and fundraising success. 
• Effectively carry out public relations tactics to increase brand awareness and public engagement.
• Manage relationships with high-value media in order to secure maximum media coverage that highlights IFAW’s programmatic and advocacy work. Act as core liaison between Oceania media outlets and IFAW spokespeople, and assist in welcoming international media visits to IFAW project sites across the region.
• Work in close collaboration with the IFAW Oceania Campaigns team to identify stories, media opportunities, and content sharing. 
• Actively create content from our regional programs to promote IFAW Oceania’s programs to a global audience. This includes the professional management and organisation of content gathering trips, media visits, drafting of press releases, content production briefs, and copy writing for web and social channels, as well as preparing media interviews for regional staff. 
• Close liaison with IFAW’s Media and External Affairs team to brainstorm how to increase IFAW brand awareness through marketing, earned media, influencers/ambassadors, and owned media.
• Take an active approach in regular monitoring of media sources, online or otherwise, to ascertain emerging issues and trends that IFAW can leverage to benefit earned media, marketing and or fundraising objectives. Ensure timely production of media analysis and reporting to internal stakeholders.
• Write, edit and/or oversee the production of communications collateral including advertising, media releases, the IFAW Oceania annual report, local IFAW publications, social and online content in collaboration with the global brand and digital team. 
• Work in close collaboration with global program communications leads to ensure positioning and messaging on all program-related communication is up-to-date and correct. 
• Proactively share global content with the regional IFAW Oceania team for awareness and promotion.
• Aid Development colleagues with communication to our supporters in the form of Q&As, position statements and potential advertising placement.
• Manage relationships with key partner organisations ensuring dialogue is collaborative and timely and that IFAW’s contribution is effectively promoted. This includes active participation in writing and/or updating communication agreements, joint press releases, facilitating site visits, content gathering trips and events. 
• Plan, implement and monitor the Oceania communication budgets.
• Manage additional communications staff, contractors and volunteers as required (photo, video, graphic design).
• Maintain and manage relationships with IFAW Oceania’s ambassadors ensuring they are updated on campaigns and content and have assets to promote IFAW’s work on their channels
• Be prepared to maintain and manage relationships with any corporate partners in coordination with the global team.
• Activate IFAW’s global Disaster Response communications protocols if and when required.
• Liaise with key external stakeholders regarding joint communication efforts and opportunities that align with IFAW Oceania’s programmatic priorities, ensuring IFAW tone of voice and brand are effectively promoted. 

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• Degree in communications, journalism or equivalent with 5+ years of experience in media and communications, including strategic communications planning (internal and external audiences), implementation and evaluation.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of primarily Australian media (New Zealand and Pacific media are secondary) in all its forms, including print, online, broadcast and social media. International media environment a plus. 
• An understanding of and commitment to animal welfare and conservation issues.
• A willingness and ability for domestic travel and at times international. 
• Confidence with in-field assignments, inclusive of last-minute travel, timely responses to internal and external stakeholders, and contribution to IFAW photo and video assets.
• Experience in managing timely scheduling and budgeting requirements.
• Experience managing earned media campaigns that have changed attitudes, behaviours or legislation a plus.
• A “can do” attitude; Ability to lead, motivate and work as part of a team and thrive in a matrixed organisation.
• A drive toward creativity and innovation; a constant proactive approach to the work. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write clear, concise, and engaging material and do so with short notice when needed.
• Ability to identify and prioritise urgent projects, as well as to plan strategically into future months/years. 
• Understanding of modern communication tools. 

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

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