Communications Coordinator

Switchboard (Victoria) Inc (“Switchboard Victoria”) is based on the lands of the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. 
 
We acknowledge that our work takes place on lands that are under colonial occupation and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We hope to pay our deepest respects to Boon Wurrung elders, past and present, and wish to extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across this Country we know as Australia.

About Switchboard (Victoria) Inc. 

Switchboard Victoria is a community-based, not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer driven support services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) people and their friends, families and allies. 

Our current activities include: 

• Phone and web counselling and referral – Switchboard is the Victorian partner in the national QLife service. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. 

• Community connections for older LGBTI+ people –Switchboard’s Pride in Ageing program works to tackle ageism and strengthen social inclusion and community connection for older LGBTI+* Victorians. The Out and About peer visiting program builds friendship and connection between LGBTI+ seniors living anywhere in Victoria through regular volunteer visits.  

• Rainbow Door - is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family, and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing. 

• Suicide prevention - research and development of suicide prevention resources and programs for LGBTIQA+ communities. 

• QTIBPoC Programs - The QTIBPoC program aims to build connection and greater equity for Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k, Indigenous and/or People of Colour and People of Faith. The program runs free events and workshops throughout the year led by and for QTIBPoC communities.

• Training Program – Switchboard delivers a range of training to the community and service sector organisations. Trainings offerings include LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice, How to Recognise and Respond to F/IPV, How to Talk About Suicide Safely, Everyday Racism in the Workplace and Peer Support Training. Staff are accredited to deliver LivingWorks programs ASIST and safeTALK.

• Rainbow Families - Connecting and supporting LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and their families. Supporting services to develop and deliver rainbow family-inclusive better practice across Victoria.

Position details

Employment type: 0.8 FTE, 60.8 hours/fortnight

Classification & remuneration: Social and Community Services Employee, Level 5 Pay Point 1 as per the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010.

Tax benefit available from salary sacrifice, package of up to $15,899.

Location: St Kilda (Victorian Pride Centre), flexible hybrid working arrangement available

Reports to: Director of Finance & Operations

Direct reports: None

Position overview

Switchboard is seeking a passionate member of the LGBTIQA+ community who has outstanding operational and communication skills. A community minded person who can take the lead in managing both Switchboard’s external and internal communications to raise awareness, promote our vision, purpose, values and programs, and engage our stakeholders.

As a LGBTIQA+ peer-led organisation delivering peer support programs for LGBTIQA+ people, their families and communities, this role is integral in bridging community to access our services. This role will coordinate our communications, brand awareness and social media content to support the promotion and communication of our programs, activities, events, campaigns. Working with program managers and leadership, they will be responsible for both external and internal communications development and coordination.

About the role

Content Creation and Management

• Develop and manage content across various platforms (social media, newsletters, website) to engage and inform various stakeholders, including our staff, volunteers, members and the community.

• Create and edit written materials, including social media posts, media releases, articles, reports, and other organisational internal and external communications.

• Work with program manager to develop a range of resources and communications to support Switchboard’s programs

• Maintain a content calendar to ensure consistent messaging and timely communication.

• Work with the Board and Leadership to develop and publish the organisation’s annual report, including leading this project.

Social media

• Manage and grow the organisation’s social media presence across platforms, specifically Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn by implementing the orgnaisational social media strategy.

• Create, schedule and moderate social media campaigns and content

• input into ongoing social media strategy

• Track analytics to measure the effectiveness of social media campaigns, reporting on key metrics.

Public relations and media outreach

• Build and maintain relationships with media contacts.

• Coordinate media requests and brief staff and volunteers for interviews and public appearances.

• Draft media releases, and other external media communications.

Internal communications

• Work with Leadership and program teams to coordinate and execute internal communications (e.g. newsletters, all-staff emails) to keep staff, volunteers and members informed about organisational updates, events, and other initiatives.

• Assist in organising various internal initiatives, ensuring clear communication and alignment on messaging.

• Maintain regular communication with staff, members and volunteers.

Brand management

• Ensure all communications align with the organisation’s purpose, vision, and brand identity.

• Work with Leadership and an external consultant to develop a brand and style guide across the organisation’s communications materials.

• Collaborate with program teams and external graphic design consultant to maintain a consistent visual identity.

Grant and fundraising Support

• Assist in creating communication materials to support fundraising efforts, including donor outreach, grant proposals, and impact reports.

• Collaborate with Leadership and Program Teams to develop targeted messaging for donor appeals and campaigns.

Strategic Communications

• Support Leadership and an external consultant to develop the Organisation’s communications and brand strategy that supports the promotion and delivery of our programs, activities, events, campaigns and staff and volunteer recruitment.

• Work with Leadership and Program teams to support the implementation of the Organisation’s communications and brand strategy

• Work with Leadership and the Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator to build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, community partners, members and volunteers.

• Co-develop and implement strategies for engaging the community and growing the organisation supporter and service user base, including outreach efforts to strengthen community presence and awareness of organisational programs.

Key Selection criteria

Essential

1. Applicant must identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, Intersex, asexual (LGBTIQA+) community [Switchboard Victoria has an exemption under the Equal Employment].
2. An understanding of the complex issues faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities and willingness to learn how to communicate around mental illness, suicide prevention and family violence
3. A strong understanding of what it means to take an anti-racist and intersectional approach to every aspect of your work.
4. Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a demonstrated ability to create engaging content across various platforms (e.g., social media, newsletters, website) while maintaining brand consistency
5. Strong project management skills to lead the execution and ongoing evaluation of communication strategies, ensuring alignment across multiple teams and stakeholders.
6. Strong experience in building and nurturing relationships with diverse stakeholders, including donors, community partners, members, and volunteers.
7. Proven experience managing and growing an organisation’s social media presence across platforms, particularly Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
8. Experience coordinating media requests, preparing spokespeople for interviews, and drafting media releases and other external communications.

Desirable

1. Tertiary qualified in media communications, marketing, public relations or equivalent work experience

To find out more and apply

Please carefully review the selection criteria for this position, which you should systematically address in your application (this does not have to be a in a separate document), which should also include your resume listing all relevant employment and volunteer experience and qualifications.

Please use this form to apply with a resume, cover letter and document addressing the essential selection criteria above.

For more information please contact Blake Leschen, Director of Finance and Operations.

Email: [email protected], using the subject line: Communications Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Switchboard Victoria is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and will consider all qualified applicants, regardless of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability or national origin. Switchboard especially welcomes and encourages applications from people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; trans, gender diverse or intersex; disabled; carers; live with HIV, are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), People of Colour and/or People of Faith; identify with having lived experiences of suicide and mental ill-health. 

Find out more about working at Switchboard at switchboard.org.au .