Communication and Events Coordinator

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water seeks a Communications and Events Coordinator for its Visitor Experience team in Barton, ACT. This identified position requires understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and effective communication with these communities. The role involves marketing, stakeholder communications, and event coordination at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, which attracts over 540,000 visitors annually.
Identified position – This position is an ‘Identified’ position which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The successful applicant must have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People.

Who we are

Australia’s natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.

Australia’s National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is the nation’s largest living collection of Australian native plants. It’s a tranquil setting for walking and spending time with family and friends, and a living classroom for visitors of all ages. We directly contribute to safe-guarding Australia’s plant species from extinctions and are responsible for leading, building and sharing knowledge of our Australian flora. The ANBG works closely with biodiversity science programs – the Australian Biological Resources Study, the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the National Seed Bank, and Biodiversity Informatics – in partnerships for research, for management of physical and digital biological collections, and for management of fundamental national biodiversity data and information accessed nationally and internationally.

The ANBG is an award-winning tourism destination, where locals and visitors to Canberra come to explore, learn, relax and enjoy time in nature. Our public events and education programs aim to tell stories through our unique collection of Australian flora. We recognise the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play in our workplace. We aim to attract, recruit, and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Our priority is to ensure a safe workplace where we celebrate all cultures.

The Job

The Communications and Events Coordinator plays a key role in the Visitor Experience team to attract vibrant, innovative and engaging event collaborations to the Gardens. The role is responsible for marketing, stakeholder communications and coordination of events and activities. The Gardens hosts over 540,000 visitors each year and is a significant growth phase with the opening of the Ian Potter National Conservatory in 2024 and associated events, activations, and programs. The role supervises the Digital Content and Science Communication Officer who delivers interpretation, social media engagement and science communication onsite and online.

In the role your will be responsible for:
• Tourism planning, product development and mentoring, supporting policy development, contract management and project management.
• Developing and implementing marketing and communication plans to increase awareness of the ANBG and encourage increased engagement with programs, venues, and onsite attractions.
• Overseeing the delivery of social media, website content and interpretation (supervising one staff member).
• Engagement with key stakeholders such as national attractions, tourism industry and Parks Australia corporate communication teams.
• Attracting and working with commercial operators to deliver events, activities and activations aligned with the ANBG Management Plan 2022.
• Chairing a working group to deliver ANBG led events and public programs.
• Working with First Nations people to develop and deliver public engagement and activities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience
• Extensive experience in marketing and communication roles within a public attraction, tourism industry, government agency or relevant industry.
• Demonstrated understanding of processes involved in planning, promoting, and managing events.
• Experience in stakeholder management and consultation processes.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing marketing and communication strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Skills and capabilities
• Highly developed communication and presentation skills.
• Effective organisational skills and ability to manage tasks with tight deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and supervise staff.

Desirable Qualifications
• Qualifications in marketing, communications, public relations or event management.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

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Job Description