Our mission is to end homelessness. We aim to get people housed, keep them housed, and be an influential voice on ending homelessness. We are a secular, independent provider of choice for clients and we're striving to be the go-to organisation on homelessness for government, media, philanthropy, private donors and the community.

Our people are the backbone of our organisation and supporting their wellbeing and professional development is critical to our ability to help our clients and the community. We value lived experience and diversity in our staff, and actively work to ensure everyone is able to make their career with Launch Housing fulfilling.

Launch Housing is working to become more trauma informed and as a leading employer in the homelessness sector, it is important to let you know that you will hear stories of distress, hardship, trauma, or violence when working with us. We encourage you to reflect on how this may impact you when considering applying for the role. Sustaining the Health & Well-being of our staff is our priority. We provide adequate training & supervision, Wellbeing Days, and access to Employee Assistance Program.

•Contributing to useful and rewarding work and giving something back to the community

•Wellbeing days, ceremonial leave, carers leave and study leave 

•Flexible working arrangements 

•Purchased leave 

•17.5% leave loading 

•Gender neutral paid parental leave (after 12 months of service)

•Training and career growth opportunities across Launch Housing

•A portion of your income can be tax-free by salary packaging your personal expenses

•Additional tax-free salary packaging on dining and accommodation expenses

•Positive, supportive and progressive work environment

Launch Housing is on the hunt for a Media, PR and Social Specialist eager to use their media relations and copywriting superpowers to help us end homelessness in Melbourne.

Due to an internal move, we’re looking for a new star to join our growing team in the new year. Our ideal unicorn is an experienced media relations pro with brilliant writing skills that engage audiences via social media, a nose for news and track record in pitching stories beyond this, and a great network of contacts across this rapidly changing media landscape.

They'll have the ability to think outside the square when it comes to securing media attention, a savvy approach to stakeholder engagement and influencing, and a sixth sense for detecting and managing reputational risks.

A hands-on, can-do attitude will help this role raise awareness of the complex nature of homelessness, challenge the stigma that surrounds homelessness and advocate for collaborative solutions that will help make Melbourne a world leading city in ending homelessness.

Along with top-notch writing skills, the equivalent people skills are key too: this role interacts with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders and works collaboratively with our Partnerships and Engagement, Executive Leadership and service delivery teams.

You will:

•Lead the development and delivery of media and public relations strategy that challenges the stigma of homelessness, amplifies stories of lived experience, and positions Launch Housing as a trusted expert catalysing change to end homelessness within a housing crisis in Melbourne;

•Identify opportunities and relationships to secure solutions-focused media coverage (news, editorial/lifestyle, sector, digital) that extends beyond the news cycle to reach new audiences;

•Provide strategic media advice, support, briefings, and training to key spokespeople including the CEO and Executive Leadership Team;

•Manage and minimise all reputational risk issues including preventative risk mitigation strategies, and any ‘hot issues’ associated with housing, homelessness and vulnerable people;

•Liaise with journalists and our Chief Storyteller to seek and deliver opportunities to amplify lived experience stories of homelessness and solutions that challenge stigma. 

We're looking for someone with personable approach, high level of confidence working with both internal and external stakeholders, relevant experience with media management and PR strategies delivering results.  You like busy roles and adaptable to changing priorities and meeting deadlines. 

You will also have:

•Tertiary qualification in communications, media, public relations or related field and/or demonstrated relevant expertise. 

•A high level of media management, working with journalists, newsrooms and PR teams with demonstrated results. 

•Strong experience working with, and writing for, digital and social media platforms that engages audiences. 

•Excellent written skills, able to influence a range of stakeholders powerfully, succinctly and accurately.

•Experience working successfully across all levels of an organisation. 

This position is classified under ‘special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. While all applicants are invited to apply, applicants who indicate that they identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander will be prioritised in the selection process. 

To apply for this opportunity, please click on the "Apply for this Job" button. Please include a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria. 

If you need additional information about this role please contact Janita Suter - Marketing & Community Engagement Manager - Partnerships & Engagement on janita.suter@launchhousing.org.au

For a copy of the position description please contact the recruiting team at careers@launchhousing.org.au.

Launch Housing offers a wide range of career opportunities and employs a diverse range of talent. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to apply!   We acknowledge, respect and celebrate Aboriginal cultures, languages, connections to Country and heritage, customs and practices. We're committed to support Aboriginal peoples to obtain genuine and fulfilling career with us!

If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process please let us know at careers@launchhousing.org.au.

Launch Housing is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance to child abuse. Our hiring process involves rigorous screening of applicants. All of our people including students, contractors and volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check and satisfactory criminal history record check. 

Launch Housing is an Equal Opportunity employer and supports accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex or queer. We acknowledge Lived Experience as a unique expertise and encourage people with a Lived Experience of Homelessness to apply. All applicants must have the right to work in Australia.