"Director, Public Affairs"

Director, Public Affairs

Footscray, Australia

Job Info

Job Identification 17480

Job Category Academic Quality & Standards

Posting Date 02/27/2026, 03:07 AM

Locations Footscray Park

Apply Before 03/22/2026, 12:55 PM

Job Schedule Full time

Job Description

Victoria University is hiring: Director, Public Affairs

Footscray Park Campus | Victoria University

Senior executive role |Reporting to the Chief of Staff |Office of the Vice-ChancellorShape reputation • Influence debate • Advance impact

Job Summary:

Victoria University (VU) is seeking a bold and strategic communications leader to establish and lead our Public Affairs function as Director, Public Affairs. This is a rare opportunity to sit at the heart of the Vice-Chancellor’s portfolio and help position VU as an influential voice in tertiary education, public policy and industry — through high‑impact media, advocacy and thought leadership.Aligned to VU’s Strategic Plan 2022–2030, Start well, finish brilliantly, this role will play a central part in strengthening trust, shaping narrative and building social licence — enabling our students, staff and partners to thrive in rapidly changing environments.

About VU:At VU, we aim to be one of the leading impact universities in the world. VU is an impact‑driven university committed to equity, excellence and opportunity. Based in Melbourne’s west and connected globally, we put students first through the VU Block Model®, dual‑sector pathways and strong industry partnerships. We are a values‑led, inclusive workplace where diverse talent is supported to make a real difference.

About the Role:

As Director, Public Affairs, you will provide senior leadership in media, public affairs and corporate communications to advance the University’s reputation and strategic objectives. You will be a trusted advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, Executive and senior leaders on reputational issues, crisis management and strategic communications.

Position Key Duties In this role, you will:

Lead high‑impact public affairs strategy across media, social media and public affairs to promote VU’s achievements, impact and distinctive dual‑sector identity.

Drive thought leadership and advocacy, positioning VU as an influential voice in tertiary education, public policy and industry.

Provide expert reputational and crisis communication advice, including building capability and preparedness across leaders and teams.

Identify and respond to emerging issues, monitoring policy developments and external trends to enable proactive and agile communications.

Strengthen VU’s social licence, developing messaging that reinforces public trust and positive societal impact.

Elevate internal communications, ensuring staff are informed, engaged and aligned with strategy while building confidence in channels and ways of working.

Salary: Attractive remuneration package including an employer superannuation contribution of up to 17%

Employment Type: Senior Staff Contract available for a period of 5-years

Hours: Full time, 36.75 hours per week

Location: Footscray Park Campus (hybrid, with flexibility to work across VU locations as required)

For a detailed overview of the role’s duties and responsibilities, please refer to the Director, Public Affairs.

About You: You are a highly credible, politically savvy and astute leader who can operate confidently in complex environments—balancing proactive narrative‑building with calm, decisive crisis responses. You bring strong judgment, influence and the ability to build trust at the most senior levels.

You will bring: Extensive senior experience in strategic communications, media relations, public affairs and corporate communications.

A proven record of delivering thought leadership and advocacy strategies that build influence in tertiary education, public policy and/or industry.

Demonstrated success identifying emerging issues, shaping compelling narratives and engaging stakeholders across media, industry and community to build reputation and trust.

Advanced crisis management, negotiation and stakeholder engagement capability, with confidence advising on reputational risk.

Data‑informed communications leadership, using performance indicators and analytics to evaluate and continuously improve outcomes.

A commitment to service excellence, collaboration, innovation and people leadership.

The University is a Child Safe organisation. You will be required to hold a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) or be willing to obtain one prior to commencing employment.

Who to Contact?For further information relating to the position, please contact Tara Schuurmans, Chief of Staff email tara.schuurmans@vu.edu.au

Ready to lead VU’s public voice?

Please submit: Your curriculum vitae/resumeA cover letter addressing the essential and desirable criteria (no more than three pages)

Applications will close Sunday 22 March 2026 at 11:55pm

This advert may close earlier should a suitable candidate be identified. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires for applicants to have full and permanent working rights in Australia.

Why Join VU VU provides competitive salaries, excellent superannuation, and a variety of benefits. The university fosters an environment where staff can excel, achieve their goals, and develop their careers. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and family-friendly policies, VU supports both professional and personal well-being. For more information, please visit our Careers at VU Webpage

Our Commitment to Protecting CountryVictoria University honours its deep diversity as a foundation for collaboration and social progress. We will demonstrate sensitivity in respecting First Nation perspectives. We will ensure that we respect our Indigenous voices and commit to sustainable Protecting Country. We will take leadership responsibility, in all that we do, to improve the health and wellbeing of our local and global communities, and the planet that we share.

Our Commitment to Progressive InclusivityVU is an equal opportunity employer and proudly committed to progressive inclusivity. We welcome and celebrate diversity in all its forms including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and racially marginalised communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. We strive to reflect the communities we serve and foster an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. We are proud to be a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality**.**Our Commitment to Inclusive RecruitmentVU is committed to providing a positive and barrier-free recruitment experience. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including accessible formats of documents, please contact us at inclusivecareers@vu.edu.au or call (03) 9919 5999.

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