Communications and Publishing Lead

Title: Communications and Publishing Lead

The Communications and Publishing Lead is responsible for creating and executing Story Factory’s communications strategy across key areas, including promoting the organisation’s work to existing and new audiences. The role also leads our strategic goal of amplifying the voices of young people, along with overseeing the design and creation of all Story Factory publications.

The Communications and Publishing Lead is tasked with building our brand, promoting the work we do to existing audiences, building new audiences, and providing ways for people to engage deeply with what we do.

In line with our strategic goal of amplifying the voices of young people, the Communications and Publishing Lead also works to find ways to grow and engage audiences for our students’ writing. 

The ideal candidate will have a passion for writing, and for improving outcomes for young people in under-resourced communities. They will be an exceptional writer and communicator, with excellent people skills and fine attention to detail. They will have at least five years’ experience in a communications role, and experience overseeing and executing publishing projects or other creative projects.

As the person leading communications with all external and internal stakeholders, they will be part of the senior management team, playing a key role in senior management discussions and having input into strategic priorities across the organisation. The ability to juggle many competing tasks, and communicate respectfully and appropriately with people from a variety of backgrounds, is essential.

The Communications and Publishing Lead will work across our Redfern and Parramatta centres and can be based at either. They will have one direct report: the Publishing and Production Manager, who directly manages the publication of all Story Factory publications and project manages our Special Projects. 

Story Factory is a Child Safe Organisation. Like all staff at Story Factory, the Communications and Publishing Lead must adhere to our Code of Conduct at all times, and be a role model in all matters of child safety. A current Working with Children Check and Police Check are prerequisites.

KEY POSITION PRIORITIES AND DUTIES:

• Develop and implement Story Factory’s communications strategy, including major events and campaigns.
• Promote Story Factory’s work to existing audiences, build new audiences and grow engagement.
• Provide communications and marketing support to all teams, including volunteer recruitment, school engagement, digital, open and school programs as well as Special Projects.
• Oversee the production of Story Factory publications, including books and publications in any other medium, working with the Publishing and Production Manager, Storytellers and the Engagement & Operations Lead.
• Manage the work of the Publishing and Production Manager, ensuring timely publication of student work with a focus on increasing readership and book sales and the successful and timely delivery of Special Projects.
• Collaborate with the Head of Fundraising on supporter communications, newsletters and fundraising campaigns.
• Ensure all communications are culturally appropriate, particularly those involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Oversee content creation for all media platforms, including the website and social media channels.
• Manage the integration and maintenance of communications systems across the organisation.
• Manage databases in Campaign Monitor and Salesforce, ensuring communications data is up to date.
• Seek publicity opportunities for Story Factory and specific programs, liaising with media outlets.
• Publish student stories digitally, following Story Factory’s publishing policies.
• Develop, implement, manage and review an internal communications plan, to improve information flow between teams.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential

1. Excellent writing skills and a strong understanding of marketing principles;
2. At least 5 years’ experience in a busy communications role;
3. A self-starter happy to be in charge of all aspects of our organisation’s communications, from strategy to execution;
4. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy; 
5. Fantastic people and communication skills;
6. Management experience, ideally with direct reports and freelancers;
7. A passion for writing and for improving the lives of young people from under-resourced communities.

Desirable

1. Familiarity with Campaign Monitor, Salesforce, Wordpress and Google apps;
2. Demonstrated experience creating high quality collateral;
3. Publicity experience;
4. Experience creating and executing an effective and engaging social media strategy;
5. Experience with internal communications.