Communications Officer

Job no:  0053131
Location: Parkville
Role type: Part-time 0.4 FTE – Wednesdays onsite and other to be negotiated; Fixed-term contract ending 31st Dec 2025
Faculty: Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department: Centre for Cancer Research
Salary: UOM 6 – $92,749 – $100,397 p.a. (pro rata) plus 17% super

• Make a meaningful contribution to cancer research by developing communications, leading community engagement, and organising events.
• Dynamic role at the forefront of genomics innovation, bringing impactful communication strategies to life and fostering philanthropic partnerships for cutting-edge cancer genome discovery and personalised medicine initiatives.
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!

About the Role
The Communications Officer at UMCCR, part of the University of Melbourne, supports cancer genomics research and personalised medicine. The role involves developing communications, managing partnerships, and coordinating events, requiring strong organisational and creative skills.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and publishing UMCCR newsletters, managing social media communications, drafting Pursuit and media stories, maintaining the UMCCR website, and organising and delivering events and seminars.
• Assist with consumer engagement related activities and events.
• Support UMCCR in activities associated with philanthropy and Advancement.
• Collate data for and draft: annual reports; Advancement/philanthropy partnership reports; and reporting for the Illumina partnership.

Who We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate excels in collaboration, communication, and initiative to support UMCCR’s research communication. This role values expertise, expecting effective liaison with academics and professional staff to enhance UMCCR’s research profile.

You will also have:

• An undergraduate degree in marketing, communications, event management, or related field.
• Highly developed skills in written communication across a range of media, social media and academic frameworks, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and flexibly, both in a team and independenty.
• Relevant computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, InDesign, video editing, desktop / web publishing and file / database creation and management.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn’t have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

Your New Team – Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, a cornerstone of excellence, boasts an impressive research legacy and holds the prestigious position of the University of Melbourne’s largest faculty. With an astounding research revenue of over $420 million in 2021, we are at the forefront of health research in Australia. Our commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship is underlined by $85 million in commercialisation and government income, along with notable investments in intellectual property assets.

What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits  page!

About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website  and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn .   

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact Kim Groizard at [email protected] , with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled “Reasonable Adjustments Request”.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents: 

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Brett Verity via email at [email protected] , ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.

Position Description