Senior Media Officer

At the NSW Department of Education we educate and inspire lifelong learners from early childhood through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Ongoing full-time employment
• Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Salary ranges from $129464 to $142665 p.a. plus superannuation and annual leave loading

About the role

The newly created Senior Media Officer position plays critical role in developing and delivering high-quality strategic media engagement for the NSW Early Learning Commission. Working closely with executives the Commissioners office and Ministerial media advisers you will drive proactive and reactive media strategies.

Your responsibilities include:

• Identifying and developing positive news opportunities to promote the Commissions work and priorities.
• Providing expert timely and tactical risk mitigation advice to the senior leaders on media responses to critical incidents and issues.
• Building and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with journalist Ministerial offices and internal stakeholders.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

As a seasoned Senior Media Officer you bring demonstrated newsroom experience as a journalist news producer or media officer with a proven ability to develop and deliver successful media strategies. You will demonstrate:

• Strong written and sub-editing skills with the ability to translate complex and sensitive issues clearly and accurately.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to deliver timely media stories
• Resilience and sound judgement with a pragmatic approach when advising on critical high risk and contentious matters
• Evidence of consistently delivering tangible positive outcome through effective media and issue management.

Essential requirements of the role

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline and/or demonstrated relevant equivalent professional experience and training.
• Current and valid Working with Children Check Clearance for paid employment.
• Proven success developing media strategies drafting media releases holding statements and liaising directly with mainstream journalists on story development ideally within a public private sector or NGO setting
• Proven effectiveness identifying and developing positive news stories from within a large complex and visible public or private sector organisation
• Willingness and ability to be on call as part of a rotational team roster.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive salary sacrificing employers contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience insights and alignment with the Departments values and priorities.

Please refer to the Applicants Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking Apply Now.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens permanent residents New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.

Closing date Monday 09 March 2026 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Kate Hancock at and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Jenny Nguyen at

We welcome applications from all ages and genders Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples culturally and linguistically diverse groups the LGBTQIA community veterans refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team () or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role and who may be considered for a range of similar roles including temporary term or ongoing roles over the next 18 months.