First Nations Communications Manager

FIRST NATIONS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Direct reports: Communications Lead, Producer, Content Coordinator, Common Ground Contributors

Reports to: CEO

FTE: 1.0 Full Time

Location: Anywhere – Online

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Common Ground First Nations Communications Manager is responsible for leading communications to deliver on Common Ground’s strategic goals:

• AMPLIFY FIRST NATIONS VOICES

• EMBED FIRST NATIONS KNOWLEDGE IN SYSTEMS

• STRENGTHEN CULTURAL CAPITAL

• BUILD STRONG AND SUSTAINABLE INTERNAL SYSTEMS

To be considered for this role, you will have a strong understanding of the diverse perspectives, stories, knowledges and histories of First Nations voices across the continent. You will be committed to shaping online and physical spaces that allow for First Nations contributors to thrive and have a positive experience working with Common Ground. You will work in a way that always puts community first, and have experience driving projects that centre long term relationship-building with community. You will be passionate about backing our communities to share knowledge, perspectives and experiences that will shift narratives across Australia.

You will be a passionate communications professional with 8+ years’ experience in communications; developing, overseeing and implementing communications and/or marketing strategies; and managing day-to-day communications activities. You will be able to show strong experience in digital communications, marketing, storytelling, social impact strategy, campaigns and content production and managing communications teams.

The First Nations Communications Manager will lead project teams in delivering educational initiatives, cultural strengthening projects, and cross-platform storytelling. The role will involve backing and coaching First Nations people with diverse lived experience, managing stakeholder relationships with First Nations organisations, not-for-profits and corporates. The First Nations Communications Manager will continue to shape the development of Common Ground, working with First Nations contributors to continue to deepen and scale the impact it is having.

The role will involve ensuring diverse First Nations voices and perspectives are included in all aspects of Common Ground’s work, and ensuring cultural knowledge is accurately represented by Common Ground. The First Nations Communications Manager will contribute their own knowledge and lived experience to the ongoing development of the organisation.

THIS IS AN IDENTIFIED ROLE FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

COMMUNICATIONS

• Develop and implement communications strategies.

• Build, manage and support an effective communications team, ensuring high staff engagement and access to learning and development opportunities. Lead strategic and development activities focused on communications for Common Ground and staff development.

• In conjunction with the CEO and the wider team, develop and deliver Common Ground impact strategy.

• Review and manage Common Ground communications outputs, materials and assets. Including but not limited to: website, microsites, digital channels (social media and EDM), brand and campaign collateral, advertising, stakeholder communications, reports etc.

• Develop and manage communications budgets, ensuring the team delivers within budget and on time.

• Ensure best practice reporting of communications activities. Monitor, report and evaluate on communications activities.

• Maintain the respected Common Ground brand and ensure communication is aligned to brand and impact objectives. Ensure all communications adhere to brand guidelines.

• Manage proactive and reactive media and PR opportunities. Write and review media releases.

• Oversee Common Ground’s editorial team/pod and processes – ensuring the delivery of exceptional quality, multimedia content across Common Ground’s platforms. Develop content strategies, create and refine editorial processes, and proof and edit content (including written content, photography, graphic design, audio, scripts, and video).

• Manage external communications suppliers and maintain excellent relationships with all suppliers. Build networks of external suppliers especially First Nations suppliers.

• Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when required.

MARKETING

• Ensure communication and data management best practices and ensure we collect and use the right data.

• Build and manage strategic partnerships that support Common Ground’s strategic objectives. Key partnerships exist across First Nations communities and organisations, media, business, education and social impact/NFP sectors.

• Oversee the use of digital and marketing tools and platforms, ensuring the team is using the best and most appropriate platforms, and is trained in best practice use. Platforms used include but are not limited to Facebook Business, Google Business, Google Analytics, Google Suite, Raisely, Webflow, Mailchimp, Hotjar, Typeform, Asana and other CRM platforms.

• Develop marketing communications plans and/or campaign plans for all key projects, campaigns and resources to ensure our projects reach audiences and achieve high engagement.

• Develop fundraising strategies and set donor acquisition and retention targets.

• Manage fundraising activities and oversee the implementation of fundraising activities.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY

• Develop innovative projects to deliver on Common Ground’ strategic objectives, driving creative development, project planning and execution.

• Advise on social impact, advocacy and campaign strategy and best practice.

• Lead project management to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

• Concurrently lead multiple complex projects with limited direction, exercising managerial responsibility over these projects.

• Use best-practice project design, project management and communications approaches to deliver high quality and high impact work.

• Establish Cultural Advisory groups for project work in a way that draws on their relevant lived experiences, capabilities and knowledge.

• Develop and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships.

• Create and codify Common Ground’s approach to delivering storytelling projects, to contribute to the ongoing development of Common Ground’s approach to centering First Nations cultures, knowledges and stories.

• With the team, develop and maintain best practice project evaluation systems.

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS

• Lead the strengthening of trusting and productive relationships with First Nations people and other First Nations organisations.

OTHER

• Undertake other duties in line with qualifications, skills and experience as required by and agreed with the CEO.