POSITION DESCRIPTION. Position Title: Media Manager. Centre for Eye Research Australia.

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1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Centre for Eye Research Australia An independent medical research institute affiliated with the University of Melbourne and the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital Position Title: Media Manager POSITION NO TBA SALARY Circa $80k package (pro-rata) SUPERANNUATION Employer contribution of 9.5% EMPLOYMENT TYPE OTHER BENEFITS CURRENT OCCUPANT REPORTS TO Part-time (fixed-term) position 0.4 FTE Fixed term contract available for 12 months (maternity leave placement) Salary packaging available that can increase your take-home pay (FBT exempt) (for more information: new position Stuart Galbraith, Community & Corporate Relations Manager HOW TO APPLY Online applications are preferred: Please ensure you address the selection criteria in your application. CONTACT FOR ENQUIRIES ONLY CERA Human Resources t: e: Please do not send your application to this contact unless requested For further information about the Centre for Eye Research Australia, visit

2 Position Summary The Media Manager is part of the Community and Corporate Relations team, which is responsible for community engagement (events, communications and media), fundraising, and government/ stakeholder relations. The Media Manager is responsible for all aspects of media management, including media strategy, media monitoring and reporting, writing media releases/articles and collaborating with CERA partners on media opportunities. You will have more than 5 years experience as a senior journalist or media manager with extensive media contacts and networks. You will be able to utilise your experience to create and build strong print, electronic and sector based media presence for CERA s research. It will be important for the successful applicant to effectively manage CERA s brand reputation as a spokeperson with responsibility for crisis communications. An ability to translate complex, technical information for non-scientific audiences and manage key relationships in the media cycle is therefore central to this role. This position will also be responsible for delivering community awareness campaigns, supply written content for our major publications, and identify mutually beneficial media opportunities with our members and partners. The Media Manager will work alongside a newly created part-time Communications Officer responsible for internal communications, publications, social media and website management. 1. Selection Criteria 1.1 ESSENTIAL A relevant tertiary qualification in journalism or equivalent and at least five years work experience in the media An extensive network of media contacts in print and electronic media especially in Victoria, but also nationally Excellent writing skills including experience in writing media releases, opinion based articles and publications Experience in writing for Twitter and in building a network of followers Expertise in organising media events and in liaising with partners to identify mutually beneficial media opportunities A result oriented self-starter with creativity, lots of initiative, sound judgement and ability to work both independently and in a team Relevant experience or potential to serve as a spokesperson for all types of media Strong skills in use of MS Office software applications Well-developed interpersonal skills including ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds; a level of maturity and confidence; discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential matters

3 High level attention to detail and evidence of a superior work ethic 1.2 DESIRABLE Experience writing for or about the medical research sector Working knowledge about the key principles required for an effective and targetted community awareness campaigns Working knowledge about crisis communications. 2. Special Requirements Availability outside normal working hours when meeting media deadlines or journalists availability Ability to respond urgently to breaking news or urgent media matters 3. Key Responsibilities 3.3 Media management Proactively identify media opportunities and liaise with key researchers to ensure accuracy and appropriate tone 3.3 Implement, evaluate and continuously improve the CERA Media Strategy Write articles and other content for the 2014 Annual Report and half yearly Visionary magazine in collaboration with the Communications Officer Build strong relationships with internal staff and students and arrange media training as required Collaborate with key researchers on community and stakeholder awareness campaigns, potentially in collaboration with key partners Build CERA s reputation with key science, health and vision sector journalists and writers as a source of innovative medical research and eye health content Monitor and report regularly to the General Manager on media coverage, threats to new opportunities and brand reputation Report to the General Manager on any breaking or major media articles relevant to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, the University of Melbourne, higher education policy, eye and medical research and philanthropy relevant to CERA Develop and report on key performance indicators in media outcomes Contribute to the development of the stakeholder database by including key media contacts Maintain awareness of opportunities to link CERA to other organisations, especially the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, the University of Melbourne, Bionic Vision

4 Australia and CERA members such as Vision Australia and Diabetes Australia Victoria Promote and support CERA s major events, including the Gerard Crock Lecture and visits by global experts in eye health Research and write speech notes for managing director and chair as required Work collaboratively with Corporate Services team members to maximise outcomes in stakeholder relations, commercialisation, student engagement, research administration, philanthropy and communications Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) responsibilities as outlined in section Job Complexity, Skills, Knowledge 4.1 LEVEL OF SUPERVISION / INDEPENDENCE The Media Manager operates under direction from the Community & Corporate Relations Manager. S/he is expected to show considerable initiative and work independently and make decisions and take responsibility for established programs. The position requires good liaison skills to engage support from colleagues not in a reporting relationship. 4.2 PROBLEM SOLVING AND JUDGEMENT In relation to existing programs and activities, the Media Manager is expected to exercise judgment on routine matters and solve problems. With regard to new programs and practices, s/he is expected to contribute ideas, research and prepare proposals and document these in a manner that supports executive decision-making. The incumbent s good judgment in understanding limitations of his/her authority and appreciation of sensitive issues and situations will be required in deciding when to seek advice and guidance. 4.3 PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANISATIONAL KNOWLEDGE The Media Manager will be required to develop a detailed knowledge of CERA, its members, partners, key stakeholders and the organisation s research work. S/he is expected to stay abreast of policy issues relevant to CERA, including changes to government funding mechanisms for medical research; respective state and federal responsibilities; impact of university/education and health funding models; and be knowledgeable about philanthropy and issues in non-profit sector management. 5. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Responsibilities All staff are responsible for the following safe work procedures and instructions:

5 Employees must o cooperate with CERA management in relation to activities taken by CERA to comply with OHS and EHS legislation. o comply with the OHS and EHS manuals o adopt work practices that support OHS and EHS programs o take reasonable care for their own health and safety and the health and safety of other people who may be affected by their conduct in the workplace o seek guidance for all new or modified work procedures o ensure that any hazardous conditions, near misses and injuries are reported immediately to the supervisor o participate in meetings, training and other environment, health and safety activities o not wilfully place at risk the health or safety of any person in the work place o not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of environment health and safety or welfare 6. Other Information CENTRE FOR EYE RESEARCH AUSTRALIA (CERA) The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) is at the forefront of ophthalmic research in Australia. Our mission is to eliminate vision loss and blindness. CERA is designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, the only such centre in Australia. CERA is the largest eye research institute in Australia. Its productivity measured in terms of output of peer-reviewed scientific papers and their quality (indicated by impact factor and number of citations) puts it among the top five ophthalmology research organisations in the world. CERA was established in 1996 as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. It is an independent medical research institute registered with the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) as a grant administering institution. It has grown out of the research activities of the University of Melbourne Department of Ophthalmology, the oldest specialist department of its kind at an Australian University, founded in The University Department and CERA are co-located at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and are closely affiliated with each other and the Hospital in a partnership that seamlessly integrates teaching, training and research with clinical service delivery. In this model, medical research is informed by patient needs and research findings can be quickly translated into clinical practice. CERA today is an organisation of some 140 people working towards solutions for blinding eye diseases. It is a diverse community of internationally leading researchers - clinicians and scientists, higher degree students and professional staff. CERA s annual turnover is in the order of $13 million from a diverse range of funding sources, including a substantial amount of philanthropic and community support. ROYAL VICTORIAN EYE & EAR HOSPITAL

6 The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital has supported Victorians for over 150 years, caring for their senses and improving their quality of life. The Eye and Ear is Australia s pre-eminent specialty eye and ear hospital. From its base in East Melbourne and outpatient clinics around Victoria, it reaches over 243,000 people a year. If you have had specialist eye surgery or a cochlear implant, there is every chance it was performed at the Eye and Ear. The Eye and Ear has over 50 different outpatient clinics for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of vision and hearing loss and provides a 24/7 emergency eye and ear, nose, and throat health service. As a world leader in eye, ear, nose and throat services, the hospital is now at the cutting edge of research and teaching, supported through its close association with their research partners. THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE Founded in 1853, the University has over 42,000 students in a broad range of professional disciplines. Over 8000 students are higher degree students. The University has over 6000 staff members. The University is one of Australia's leading research based universities, with an international profile through its reputation for scholarship and teaching. It is a founding member of Universitas 21, an international federation of universities. The University is committed to equal opportunity in education, employment and welfare for staff and students. Students are selected on merit and staff are selected and promoted on merit. Comprehensive information about the University of Melbourne and its governance structure is available at