National Media Manager

Acknowledgement of Country 

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

Role highlights

• Lead CSIRO’s media/PR strategy and editorial direction
• Integrate media, digital, and social channels to maximise impact
• Oversee a small team to deliver compelling stories about CSIRO’s science
  
  

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity 

We have an opportunity for a National Media Manager to join CSIRO’s Communication team, for a 9 month-period.

As the National Media Manager, you’ll be the agency’s central liaison point for media, developing and executing strategies to promote CSIRO and protect its reputation.  You’ll lead a small team, driving CSIRO’s editorial direction across media, owned articles and our monthly digital newsletter, working closely with the Social Media Manager.

Your expertise in media relations and issues management will help grow trust in CSIRO and increase awareness of our impact. This is a collaborative, high-profile role at the heart of our Communication team, offering the chance to shape how Australia sees its national science agency.

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Managing CSIRO’s media and editorial calendar to align with one-CSIRO messaging, coordinating timing for key audiences, and distributing high-quality content across media and the digital newsroom.
• Empowering the Senior Media and Editorial Advisor to manage CSIRO’s owned channels in collaboration with the social media team, while retaining oversight of overarching editorial direction.
• Proactively developing issues management strategies, including advice, stakeholder management, and the delivery of timely responses to media.
• Keeping abreast of national and international news and using these insights to formulate advice, inform media strategies, and harness the news cycle to identify proactive opportunities for CSIRO.  
• Acting as the central liaison point for media outlets, including training and rostering team members to respond out of hours. At times, managing the media phone and email out of hours, on a rostered basis.   

Role particulars

Location: Any AUS CSIRO location – Hybrid/flexible work arrangements available

Salary: AU$135k – AU$158k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 9 months, Full-time           

Reference: 101890

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

• A relevant tertiary qualification in journalism, communication or public relations or equivalent experience. 
• Extensive experience driving media strategy for a large or complex organisation, including a deep understanding of issues and reputation management.
• Extensive experience in media liaison, alongside a contemporary and integrated skill set across digital and social media and stakeholder management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including well-honed abilities in pitching, writing media releases and long-form journalism.
• A strong news sense, and thorough understanding of the environment in which CSIRO operates
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership skills, including influencing, coaching, and building, motivating, and supporting a high-performance team.
• Demonstrated experience using analysis and evaluation of media coverage to develop data-driven insights that inform media strategy. 
• Extensive experience providing strategic advice and media training to spokespeople, including senior executives.

 
For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description. 

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact Sheridan Gerrard via email at Sheridan.gerrard@csiro.au to let us know how we can support you.  

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility 

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens, New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.   

Child safety 

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy. 

How to apply 

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close 

Sunday 30th November 2025, 11pm AEDT.

Shortlisting and interviews for this role may take place as applications are received prior to the closing date. Please consider applying as soon as possible.