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Media Officer

Transport Workers' Union of Australia

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) is a leading campaigning union holding some of the biggest companies in the world to account over the abuse of workers, such as Uber, Deliveroo, Amazon, Aldi and Qantas.

The TWU has led the charge in highlighting and tackling exploitation in the gig economy, forcing companies and the government to address chronic underpayments and deadly pressures on food delivery riders. During the COVID shutdown of aviation, TWU cemented its role as a powerful voice for aviation workers, serving as an integral player during the sale of Virgin Australia, and challenging Qantas over safety breaches, wage theft and the outsourcing of 2,500 ground crew and cabin cleaners. Since it was founded TWU has represented the interests of truck drivers, exposing the financial pressures by major retailers and manufacturers on the road transport industry as Australia’s deadliest industry.

Central to these campaigns and the push for reforms has been the TWU’s work in exposing injustices against workers publicly. It has required close analysis of worker rates and pay slips, obtaining documents through Freedom of Information, detailed surveying of workers to track abuses and giving a voice to workers with compelling stories.

The national communications and media team plays an important role in this and in working closely with journalists to expose hidden abuses and wrongdoing by major companies.

We are seeking an experienced Media Officer to identify opportunities for media coverage to drive the communications and campaigns strategy and give transport workers a powerful voice.

The Media Officer will work closely with the Director of Communications and the campaigns team to assist in achieving the TWU’s strategy by talking to workers to identify stories, generating ideas, shaping our message, arranging press events, pitching stories, monitoring media, briefing spokespeople and supporting other communications functions. The role will include building and maintaining relationships with journalists and developing a strategy to engage new and emerging digital media platforms to expand our reach.

We have an ambitious plan to lift industry standards and have an active membership base ready to fight for safety, dignity and respect. We are seeking a motivated self-starter with creative, big picture thinking and excellent communication skills. This role provides an exciting opportunity to take on some of the world’s biggest corporates and make a significant difference to the lives of thousands of transport workers, their families and communities.

Role responsibilities:

  • Identify and utilise media opportunities to drive TWU campaign objectives, expose worker abuses and promote the union’s support of transport workers
  • Lead the narrative by pitching stories, investigative packages and opeds in coordination with journalists, the Director of Communications and leadership
  • Monitor the media and brief TWU officials, members and activists when appropriate
  • Help build the profile of the TWU leaders across the country including the National and Assistant National Secretaries

  • Build and maintain relationships with journalists and brief them on TWU campaign activity and legal cases
  • Identify and maintain a bank of well-briefed spokespeople
  • Write articles, columns, opinion pieces, digital content and member communications
  • Arrange and promote media events, press conferences and interviews
  • Assist the Director of Communications in preparing proactive and reactive media lines and messaging and brief TWU officials
  • Prepare a daily top stories email and timely updates on relevant stories
  • Develop and implement a strategy for engaging emerging digital media platforms and agencies
  • Support state branches with local media strategies, press releases and media events
  • Monitor media inbox and respond to requests
  • Database management
  • Assist with social media management
  • Provide support to other communications team functions including design and handling designers, member updates, ensuring digital content is relevant and engaging, photography and videography, identifying and assisting with campaign activism tools, brand and merchandise
  • Liaise with other departments and provide assistance to achieve success
  • Any other required functions

The successful applicant will ideally have:

  • Experience in journalism or a media focused role
  • Understanding and/or experience of journalism fact-gathering techniques, such as FOI requests, document analysis, interviews, etc
  • Up-to-date media contacts
  • A good understanding of the Australian media landscape
  • Strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to write compelling articles, opeds and other forms of communication
  • Strong interpersonal skills and experience building and managing relationships
  • Creative thinking and experience working on big picture campaigns
  • Some experience in communications and campaigning activity including design, social media, brand, activism tools, photography and videography
  • Experience with CRM and CMS systems desirable
  • An understanding and commitment to labor values

Should you have any questions about the role please contact Pippa Hatton at [email protected], using the subject line: Media Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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