Employment Opportunities - Communications and Publications Manager

The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW is an independent statutory body that works to improve access to justice, particularly for disadvantaged people.

We seek to appoint a Communications and Publications Manager. Responsibilities include: develop and implement the Foundation’s communications strategy, manage events, manage the publication process and promote the Foundation’s research and general grants activities.

Applicants should address the selection criteria below. Criteria include appropriate tertiary qualifications and relevant experience, excellent communications skills and ability to work to project deadlines. Knowledge of the justice sector in NSW and of current activities in relation to law and justice would be an advantage.

Salary range: $75-95K + super, depending on qualifications and experience. Flexible, family-friendly workplace. Full-time position.

Applications, including a curriculum vitae, should be received by Monday 28 February 2011, via email to

or mail to:

Job description

Communications and Publications Manager

Overview and purpose of position
The Communications and Publications Manager ensures the Law and Justice Foundation is well understood and highly regarded by its diverse stakeholders, that publications are produced in an appropriate, professional and timely manner, and that the products of the Foundation’s research, legal information and grant making activities are distributed appropriately and effectively. The Communications and Publications Manager also manages ‘events’ conducted by the Foundation, in particular, the annual Justice Awards.

Hours: 5 days (35 hours) per week
Responsible to: Director
Salary Range: $75-$95K per annum

Duties

Communications
To develop and implement, with the Director and other staff, the Foundation’s Communications Strategy. Within that strategy:

Develop and maintain an ongoing strategic communications plan that ensures the Foundation’s key, evidence-based research findings, other products and messages reach the intended audiences.
Liaise internally and externally to identify issues and opportunities to ensure knowledge gathered by the Foundation is disseminated most effectively.
Manage the annual Justice Awards
Manage events of the Foundation or any of its projects including:

Seminars, workshops and conferences
Publication launches

Prepare and/or coordinate the production and dissemination of the Foundation’s communications including annual reports and newsletters.
Promote activities and products of the Foundation including research reports, general grants and project activity
Manage and coordinate responses to media inquiries
Advise on and facilitate opportunities for submissions, conference presentations, etc
Develop, review and maintain speeches, presentations and briefs for delivery to external agencies
Manage upkeep of contacts and events databases

Publications

Review and maintain publishing guidelines including templates and style guide
Manage all stages of the production of publications, including: contract and liaise with external copy-editors, proof readers, layout designers and printers
Ensure publications are made available in a range of formats including on the LJF website
Ensure publications are appropriately formatted to LJF styles and standards

Website

Overall responsibility for maintenance of the LJF (and NLAF) websites, including:

content updates in consultation with relevant managers and staff
supervising website redesign as necessary
maintaining the quality of LJF web site in terms of look and feel

Skills/Selection Criteria

Essential

Tertiary qualifications in communications or other relevant discipline
Demonstrated experience in a communications role in a relevant range of organisations and environments, particularly in the not for profit sectors or government and community, including experience in:

Development of communication plans to improve understanding of an organisation’s activities to intended audiences
Managing the production and dissemination of publications in accordance with organisational (publishing and style) guidelines
Managing events, small conferences, workshops and seminars
Promotion of activities and research reports
Development of presentations and briefs to external parties

Understanding of website architecture and management
Demonstrated capacity to effectively supervise staff
Demonstrated high level of attention to detail
Ability to:

Communicate at a high level - both writing and speaking for different media
Work with diverse stakeholders
Work harmoniously with others and be a highly effective team player
Work under pressure, operate within project timelines and meet deadlines
Quickly understand the issues that affect the activities of the Foundation
Exercise initiative and judgment

Desirable

Knowledge of participants and process in the legal system in NSW
Knowledge of current activities in relation to law and justice
Experience in dealing with the media
Experience in content management systems
Experience in Access and other MS office applications