About the role
The Diocese of Parramatta is seeking a dedicated and proactive Communications Lead to fill a full-time, permanent role. In this position, you will play a key part in delivering the Diocese’s communications strategy, with a focus on our Diocesan Pastoral Plan. You will be responsible for developing engaging content, managing various communication platforms, and fostering strong stakeholder relationships across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
The Communications Lead – Diocesan Pastoral Plan is responsible for:
- Designing, sub-editing and writing for various Diocesan communication channels/platforms related to our Pastoral Plan including platform design, content creation, event management, internal and corporate communications, social media management, and actively collaborating on digital content production using photography and videography.
- Managing digital communications including design, content and analytics; assisting the Graphic & Multimedia Designer with all graphic & multimedia design, video and livestreaming; content creation including writing collateral, stories for Catholic Outlook and social media and more.
We are looking for a proactive, creative, and visionary individual with exceptional organisational skills, a strong passion for communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively within the Diocese.
About you
As a member of the Diocese of Parramatta team, you will play a key role in supporting and promoting the mission and vision of the Catholic Church. This includes actively participating in staff liturgical and formation opportunities. We are looking for someone who aligns with and is motivated by the Chancery values of Collaboration, Respect, Celebration, and Strive for excellence. Your passion for these values will guide you in your work and in fostering a positive and supportive environment within the Diocese.
We need somebody who:
- Can seek to understand complex processes and protocols within the Diocese.
- Exhibits exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Is a creative thinker with the ability to develop innovative communication solutions.
- Shows genuine care for people and fosters team cohesion through their actions.
- Model’s ethical behavior and inspires others to follow suit.
- Committed to upholding the ethos and values of the Catholic Church.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with the Graphic & Multimedia Designers to create and develop all graphic and multimedia design for the Diocesan Pastoral Plan ensuring we maintain the Diocesan brand and its application across all formats.
- Collaborate with Communications team on all Diocesan Pastoral Plan digital properties (Diocesan and parish websites, edms, social media): content creation, design, functionality and monthly analytics reporting.
- Generate, research and write stories that resonate with and inspire the community of Western Sydney and Blue Mountains especially relating to our Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
- Actively report on news and current affairs relating to/supportive of the Objectives, Priorities and Commitments of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan – including written stories, video production, social media – affecting the Diocese of Parramatta and the Catholic Church.
- Contribute content to the various communication channels of the Diocese of Parramatta (website, social media accounts, e-newsletters).
- Coordinate with Diocesan Communications Team to ensure all required content across the digital initiatives of the Diocese is consistent, including on websites, social media accounts, email communications and infographics.
- Coordinate material for print and online promotions for Diocesan Pastoral Plan pastoral initiatives-events and ensure all content is published/produced within agreed timelines.
- Liaise with various stakeholders (internal and external) to ensure content is produced in a timely manner.
- Attend Diocesan events (including outside of usual business hours).
- Other duties as directed.
How we work:
As ambassadors for Christ and representatives of our diocese the how we work is as important as what we achieve.
The principles which underpin our work are:
- Mission – discerning and decisive
- Accountability – responsible and transparent
- People – pastoral and pragmatic
- Communication – clear and timely
- Action – intentional and evaluative
The way we choose to work is:
- Co-responsibly – Facilitation and implementation is done co-responsibly in concert with clergy, leadership and laity as appropriate
- Iteratively – All our development is iterative (AKA agile, lean startup) focusing on minimum viable product deliveries to ensure an early and optimal path to stakeholder value
- Continuously Learning & Improving– Evolution not revolution our experimental and iterative development allows us to ‘sense and respond’ in logical increments minimising time to value and risk
- Experimentally – We are not afraid to fail (as we learn) but we fail fast and at the least possible cost. Learning experimentally means we will develop hypotheses before each development-delivery phase for test/review after development-delivery that learning might be continuous
- Visually – We make our plans/progress appropriately visible. Management and reporting is primarily visual providing easy to understand and meaningful reporting of status, progress, issues etc
- Humbly – As Servant Leaders we lead because we can serve more effectively from a leadership position, yet we avoid the spotlight we work primarily behind the scenes ideally enabling others to prosper from our position of relative anonymity
- Focused on the ‘Church’ – We are not ‘office bureaucrats’ we regularly (usually at least weekly) go to/engage with the people that make up our diocese and the ‘church’ who are the reason we exist i.e. Parish’s, Agencies and other public forums.
Essential Qualifications
- Tertiary Qualifications in Media, Journalism or Communications
- Current Working with Children Check Clearance or willing to obtain one
Skills and Experience
- Competent using Adobe Creative Suite (in particular Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat) and other design tools such as Canva.
- A minimum of 7 years’ work experience in a similar role covering traditional, online and social media.
- Demonstrated experience in online and digital media.
- Demonstrated experience in photography and videography.
- Ability to interact effectively with multiple and diverse stakeholders including the ability to build and maintain relationships and work confidently with people at all levels.
- Demonstrated focus on outcomes and emphasis on exceeding customer/client expectations.
- High level communication skills (written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
- Substantial time management and organisational skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines and deliver under pressure.
Apply for this role
Applications for the position should include:
- A covering letter explaining why you are interested in the position, why you’re a good fit, and how you meet the Essential Requirements.
- Curriculum Vitae.
For a confidential chat, please email your details to [email protected], and a member from our friendly team will reach out to you.
The Diocese of Parramatta is a child safe organisation and is committed to providing child safe communities that recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
The Diocese of Parramatta is respectful and accepting of individual differences and is committed to embracing diversity and treating all people with dignity. We welcome applicants from all cultures, religions and backgrounds.
In all that we do in the course of our work, the Diocese of Parramatta acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands in which the Diocese of Parramatta sits, the land of the Darug and Gundungurra people.
.