POSITION PURPOSE

The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) is Australia's peak representative and advocacy body for rural and remote health, with a secretariat located in Deakin, ACT. The Alliance of 54 national member organisations works to improve the health and wellbeing of the 7 million people in rural, regional and remote Australia. The Alliance is seeking an experienced professional to:

1. Build and manage its strategic partnerships.
2. Oversee and apply when needed for grants and investment that align with its values and strategic direction and develop an appropriate income diversification strategy.
3. Lead a team to communicate with Members, Friends of the Alliance (Friends) and other key rural health stakeholders and media.
4. In conjunction with the Events Coordinator, work with professional conference organisers to develop and run events and meetings. The Manager will work with the Chief Executive and other team members to manage all elements of the Alliance’s biennial national rural health conference and other events including scientific symposiums, webinars and Council meetings.
5. Grow and support the membership of Friends.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director, Strategic Partnerships, Communications and Events works under the general direction of the Chief Executive and with other Alliance staff. Responsibilities include:

Lead communications and events team members

• Lead and support the communications and events team members.
• Support a positive culture within a team that is achievement oriented and supportive of each other.
• Set KPIs with staff members to work towards the Alliance strategic plan.

Stakeholder engagement/partnerships

• Work with Council members and Friends and develop partnerships with other stakeholders to build alliances. Identify projects and value-based funding opportunities for initiatives that work towards improvements in rural health, in alignment with the Alliance’s policy directions.
• Work cooperatively with stakeholders, such as community organisations, individuals, industry, government and others to investigate and develop suitable partnerships to diversify income and deliver programs, sponsorships and activities that advance the strategic priorities of the Alliance.
• Work with the Chief Executive and other team members to develop a strategic and segmented approach in providing a value proposition to stakeholders.

Fundraising and strategic partnerships

• Develop strategic partnerships and Alliance proposals, work on sponsorship and/or grant proposals and find aligned sponsors for events.
• Develop strategic partnerships with stakeholders to support, complement and strengthen grant proposals.
• Seek government and industry grant opportunities that reflect the values and strategic direction of the Alliance.
• Write competitive grant proposals that have a strong chance of success and will be suitable for the size and capabilities of the Alliance.

Oversee and manage Alliance public communication

• Develop media and communications strategy for the Alliance, taking into account strategic priorities and advocacy of the organisation.
• Manage media requests and mainstream media promotion of the Alliance.
• Liaise with the Alliance’s Digital Communications Officer, Graphic Designer and or media consultants to develop the content to publicise and promote Alliance events.
• Provide talking points and background information to CE for media interviews.
• Edit and oversee the production of Partyline, the Alliance’s online magazine. Edit and oversee production of BushWire, the Alliance’s fortnightly newsletter for supporters. Oversee production of the Annual Report.

Oversee and manage Alliance events

• Work with the Event Coordinator on all aspects of the Alliance’s biennial conference, symposiums, webinars, Council meetings and other events with the contracted professional conference organiser (PCO).
• Manage the work of the conference and symposium advisory committees, including providing agendas and minutes.
• Maintain professional relationships with stakeholders in the events industry.
• Develop strategic partnership proposals, engage sponsors and be the point of contact for all sponsors of events.
• Lead and manage the work of the team, including the Events Coordinator and other Alliance staff, while working with the PCO.
• Liaise with the Alliance’s Digital Communications Officer and Graphic Designer to develop the conference website and publicise and promote Alliance events.
• Manage media requests and mainstream media promotion of events.
• Oversee the finalisation of accounts, publications by the PCO, reports, surveys and other post-conference activities as required.

Grow participation of Friends of the Alliance

• Work with the Chair of Friends, the Chief Executive and others to segment the Friends group to provide a two-way value proposition.
• Look for opportunities to grow the Friends and consumer group to increase input into policies and learning of consumers
• Arrange meetings and events; prepare agendas and minutes as required.
• Look for opportunities to engage Friends in grassroots feedback and input into policy, applications for funding and development of strategic initiatives.

Work with and support the Australian Journal of Rural Health and its Editor in Chief

• Work with the Editor in Chief, Chief Executive, Wylie and staff to ensure the Journal is supported

Other

• Contribute to a workplace culture that is consistent with the Alliance vision, purpose and values.
• Work collaboratively with the policy team on key deliverables.
• Work in a manner consistent with the governance and management, and policies and procedures of the organisation.
• Undertake administrative tasks as required in a small team.
• Provide support to the Chief Executive and others on matters relating to planning, budgeting, and future opportunities relating to the Alliance’s events and programs.
• Contribute to other work of the Alliance, as required
• Have a good sense of humour.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Tertiary education qualifications in communications, marketing, project management, fundraising and/or health and business development.
• A record of achievement and extensive experience in all aspects of conference and event management, including sponsorship recruitment, and management and planning. Experience of managing a PCO and budgets to ensure a surplus.
• Proven ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including Member representatives, as well as conference presenters including politicians, keynote speakers, researchers and academics, member organisations and peak bodies.
• High-level communication, writing and editing skills.
• Understanding and work with media and media outlets
• Possess the ability to work in and lead a small team, develop KPIs and work towards these with team members, within a supportive environment.
• A positive organisational ability and demonstrated capacity to take initiative, be self-directed and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• A commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the more than 7 million people living in rural and remote Australia.

Desirable

• Experience with MailChimp, Medianet and Meltwater media monitoring.
• Experience in grant writing for complex projects that involve multiple stakeholder partnerships, philanthropic engagement and strategic partnership applications.
• Understanding of government and the political process
• An understanding of key stakeholders in the health sector particularly in regional, rural or remote locations.
• Experience working in the not-for-profit service sector, with a strong advocacy focus.
• Rural, remote or regional background.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to join our team in a full-time position based in Canberra. This role offers a generous salary package of $140,000 per annum, full PBI status, with 12.5% employer superannuation contributions and free on-site parking.

This role is offered on a fixed-term contract through to 30 June 2026, with the possibility of extension. A six-month probation period applies.

CONTACT

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact:

• Kathy Thach - Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive
• Phone: 02 6285 4660
• Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Director of Strategic Partnerships, Communications and Events enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.