ADVANCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Part time
$75,000 – $95,000 per year

College Profile

Burgmann College is a unique university residential community of 378 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Opened in 1971, Burgmann is affiliated with The Australian National University and is situated on its campus, proud to be on Ngunnawal and Ngambri land. The College celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its Founding in 2021, however the capstone 50th anniversary alumni reunion event Back-to-Burg was postponed to August 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In its 52 years, Burgmann College is proud to have produced a remarkable and diverse group of alumni, now living and working all over the world. 

Our Alumni’s pride in their college is centred in the unique and distinctive residential experience Burgmann provides. Our mission is the growth of the whole person— a vibrant and dynamic residential experience which equips young people with the interpersonal and intellectual skills that will best serve them to excel academically and personally and to make their most valuable contribution to the world.

Burgmann offers exceptional pastoral care in a non-hierarchical, multi-year resident structure. The Principal, Deputy Principal and College Dean live on-site, contributing strongly to residents feeling safe in their home-away-from-home.

Burgmann residents play an extraordinary role in the College’s governance, which gives them a powerful influence in making important decisions that affect them and their fellow residents and provides meaningful opportunities in governance training for a future generation of leaders.

The College was founded with the support of the Anglican, Baptist and Uniting Churches and the Churches of Christ, four of which are represented on the College Council. There is no religious test for entry, re-entry or any process within the life of the College. However, the College is not a secular foundation. It has an inclusive Christian heritage, which continues in various ways to define its character and sustain its lifestyle.

Burgmann is a community comprising residential members (students and staff), members of Council and members of Convocation. Unlike many older colleges, Burgmann is a single community with no hierarchies of residential membership, and students play a significant role in the affairs of the College.

The College aims to provide:

• a vital community;
• academic support;
• pastoral care for members of the community and, where possible, a wider university population; and
• the empowerment and development of students, with maximum cooperation with resident bodies.

The role: 

The Communications Officer is an exciting and varied role within the Burgmann College Advancement Team, suitable for a person with interest and skill in content development for newsletters, website, social media, Direct Mail & eDMs, booklets and online publishing. As an important member of a small team, the Communications Officer will assist the College in communicating with its community including over 10,000 alumni, friends, families, staff members and residents. 

Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Communications Officer will work collaboratively to develop and implement an annual communications program, maintaining a positive public image and in support of the College’s alumni engagement and fundraising programs. The Communications Officer will possess excellent written communication skills, and an ability to develop content that is vibrant, professional, accurate and engaging. 

The Communications Officer will work with staff, residents, alumni, volunteers and contractors in delivering their duties.

Flexible work arrangements are available (by negotiation) and some work from home flexibility. 

*Please request the Duty Statement (see below for how to request). 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications:

Completion of a degree or other qualification with relevant experience

Experience and Skills: 

1. Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills, and an ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, alumni, and other stakeholders. 
2. High attention to detail with a demonstrated ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple projects concurrently and meet deadlines. 
3. Strong working knowledge of a range of social media platforms, and a proven ability to prepare, edit and publish engaging content online, in brochures and on websites. 
4. Creative and problem-solving skills, and the ability to adjust and make recommendations based on feedback, training, analysis of data and research of best practice. 
5. Proficiency with email, shared calendars, Word, Excel, online forms, and online platforms such as Eventbrite or Humanitix. 

Desirable: 

Experience working and/or living in a residential college environment or a tertiary educational setting. 

Attributes: 

1. High ethical standards and a commitment to best practice in alumni relations, fundraising, marketing and communications. 
2. A high level of equal opportunity principles and a commitment to the application of equal opportunity policies. 

Application Process:

1. Please request the Duty Statement by email from the Director of Advancement at: advancement@burgmann.anu.edu.au
2. Applicants are invited to submit;

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Response to the Selection Criteria (with reference to the Duty Statement) by email to the Manager of Business and Finance at: nerrida.higgins@burgmann.anu.edu.au
   

Due Date: Applications are due as soon as possible and by no later than 5.00pm Wednesday 18 October 2023.

*Suitable applicants may be considered earlier and appointed prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.
 
Interviews:   It is intended that interviews for shortlisted applicants will be held from Monday 23 October 2023.

• The successful applicant will hold a current police clearance.
• The successful applicant will hold a current full driver’s licence.
• The successful applicant will hold a Working With Vulnerable People registration.
• Occasional out-of-business hours duties may be required as part of the role and the successful applicant will receive flexible time arrangements in consultation with Director of Advancement.

Reporting Relations: 

The Communications Officer is appointed by the Principal and reports directly to the Director of Advancement.

Within a six month probationary period, the Communications Officer will participate in a performance review check in.

Alternative Work Arrangements (may be considered):

Part-Time - 4 days per week
Onsite and Offsite work from home 

Commencement:

Please include your earliest start date; we are hoping to fill the position for a prompt commencement.