Title:  Head of Media and Content

About VIDA 

The Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) is a specialist project delivery organisation, responsible for delivering Victoria’s major transport, health and community safety infrastructure program.  

This multi-disciplinary program includes more than 200 projects including North East Link, removing level crossings, Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1, new and upgraded hospitals, and specialist programs such as the early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program, and community safety projects for corrections and emergency services.

The unprecedented program of works brings together expert skillsets to deliver crucial health, community safety, and major transport projects, and ensures that operations are streamlined and efficient while delivering better outcomes for Victorians.

Led by the Director-General, VIDA comprises five project offices, VIDA Roads, VIDA Metro, VIDA Rail, VIDA Health and VIDA Community Safety. VIDA is established as an Administration Office under the Public Administration Act 2004 as a specialist organisation.

About this Opportunity

The Head of Media and Content provides strategic media relations, issues management and content leadership to support VIDA Health’s infrastructure program and broader organisational priorities.

This role leads the planning and delivery of proactive and reactive media activity across high-profile infrastructure projects, announcements and emerging issues. It will oversee the development of media strategies, media materials and content that support clear, consistent and timely communication with media, government, stakeholders and the community.

Working closely with senior leaders, project teams and key stakeholders, the role provides authoritative advice on complex and sensitive media matters in a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment.

Operating in a matrix environment, the role leads a media and content team to deliver high-quality outcomes across media relations, issues management, stakeholder communications and content production.

About You

This role will suit an experienced media and communications leader with strong news judgement, sound political awareness and the ability to operate confidently in complex, sensitive and high-profile environments.

The successful candidate will bring strong media relations experience, including the ability to manage competing media priorities, provide trusted advice, shape clear messaging and support senior stakeholders through emerging issues, public scrutiny and risk.

You’ll bring:

• Strong media instincts and confidence managing both proactive opportunities and reactive issues.
• A calm, considered and solutions-focused approach to high-pressure or sensitive communications matters.
• Sound judgement and the ability to provide clear advice in a fast-moving media and government environment.
• A collaborative leadership style that supports accountability, capability and performance.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and navigating competing priorities.
• A practical understanding of how media, content and communications can support project delivery, public confidence and organisational outcomes.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and bring teams, stakeholders and messages together in a clear and consistent way.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver integrated media, content and stakeholder communication strategies within a complex, politically sensitive environment, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, government priorities and reputational outcomes.
2. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with proven experience preparing high-quality media releases, ministerial and executive briefings, speeches, digital content, key messages and stakeholder communications for diverse audiences and in line with various guidelines and governance requirements.
3. Strong understanding of government processes, policy environments and decision-making frameworks, with the ability to identify, anticipate and manage emerging communications, media, stakeholder and political issues.
4. Demonstrated experience in media relations, reputation management and issues management, including the ability to evaluate risks and opportunities and provide strategic recommendations in high-profile and sensitive environments.
5. Proven ability to provide clear, authoritative and trusted advice to senior executives, ministerial offices and key decision-makers on complex communications, media and stakeholder engagement matters in line with governance requirements.
6. Demonstrated ability to build, maintain and influence productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders, government agencies, project teams, media representatives and community stakeholders, while managing competing priorities and interests.
7. Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing media, content or communications teams, fostering capability, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement within a complex organisational environment.
8. Demonstrated experience leading teams through change and workforce planning to ensure team accountabilities are met.
9. Proven ability to lead strategic responses to reputational risks, emerging issues, major project announcements and critical incidents, exercising sound judgement and influencing organisational outcomes.

Qualifications and Mandatory Requirements

• Tertiary (Bachelor or higher) qualification in Communications, Media, Journalism or a related field and/ or extensive experience within a project-based environment.
• A current Victorian Driver Licence is required, as the role requires some travel to project sites across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

What We Offer

• An emphasis on work-life balance
• High-performing team environment
• Equal opportunity employer
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Committed to safety and wellbeing 
• Training and development opportunities

Pre-Employment Checks

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which include national police/qualification (where applicable) checks and misconduct screening.

Diversity and Inclusion

VIDA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering a values-led, diverse and inclusive workplace.
We believe our teams should represent the diversity of our communities in which we work, and we actively embrace and celebrate people from all walks of life.

If you require reasonable adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please contact us. We're here to support you.

How to Apply

Please include a Resume and Cover Letter. The cover letter should address the Key Selection Criteria and be a maximum 2 pages long. We want to know why you want to work for VIDA Services, why you are interested in the role, and how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications are applicable to the role.

Please click here to view the position description.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Kirsty Johnston, Head of Media and Content - kirsty.johnston@vida.vic.gov.au

Applications close 11:59 pm – 21 October 2026