We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Media Officer to join our communications team in the health sector. This role is ideally suited to an experienced communications professional with a background in media relations and a strong understanding of the federal government landscape. The successful candidate will work under limited direction to manage complex and sensitive media issues, develop strategic media plans, and enhance the public profile and reputation of the organisation across key stakeholder groups. The Senior Media Officer will have a strong news sense and will work proactively and reactively to support public communications around health programs, policy, and services. You will be confident working with journalists, creating compelling content, and translating complex information into clear, accessible language for diverse audiences. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement media strategies that align with organisational objectives and public health priorities Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets and journalists Draft and edit high-quality media materials including media releases, talking points, backgrounders and opinion pieces Coordinate proactive media opportunities and deliver compelling media pitches Respond to media enquiries efficiently and accurately, including out-of-hours support on a rotational basis Collaborate with internal subject matter experts to package media stories across print, digital, radio and broadcast channels Monitor media coverage and assess potential risks to the organisation’s reputation Provide media advice to senior executives and support the development of executive communications Liaise with Ministerial offices and contribute to cross-agency communications initiatives Analyse communication metrics to evaluate impact and inform continuous improvement Key Skills and Capabilities Strong writing and editing skills, adaptable to a variety of audiences and channels Excellent news judgement and understanding of the media landscape Demonstrated experience in proactive and reactive media management Ability to translate technical or policy-heavy content into plain English Skilled in managing competing priorities and delivering under pressure High-level interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills Confidence and experience in dealing with the media on sensitive or high-profile issues Ability to work independently, while contributing to a collaborative team environment Sound judgement and critical thinking, particularly in high-stakes or risk-sensitive scenarios Familiarity with media monitoring and reporting tools Desirable Criteria Experience in or knowledge of the Australian Public Service (APS) or federal government communications environment Established media contacts within the health or public affairs sectors Previous experience working in the healthcare industry or public health communications Understanding of government policy development and program delivery Work Environment Open-plan or flexible office setting Hybrid working arrangements available Use of standard business tools including Microsoft Office and media monitoring software Occasional out-of-hours availability for urgent media responses At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.