Vacancy Details


  • Join a world-class regulator and contribute to people and animal safety in Australia.
  • Opportunity for a gifted writer to develop, implement and maintain a small agency's Stakeholder Engagement Framework.
  • Unique potential for work-life balance with relocation assistance and flexible working.
  • Open to Australian citizens only. 

Position summary

Are you a gifted writer with a background in journalism or media liaison? Are you highly skilled in strategic and proactive media engagement? Do you have the ability and passion to share the stories and science within a world-class regulator?

The Engagement and Communications team is responsible for promoting the APVMA through brand management, media, stakeholder engagement, publications and website publishing, to build and reinforce the APVMA’s reputation as a global leader of agricultural and veterinary chemical regulation.

Reporting to the Director Engagement and Communications, the Assistant Director Media and Engagement will drive the agency’s media strategy and manage the stakeholder engagement function to support the APVMA to work collaboratively in achieving its purpose. The focus of this role will be the strategic positioning of media engagement, including proactive media, revitalising the voice of the agency and working closely with stakeholders. 

The Assistant Director will respond to complex and sensitive media enquiries, handling multiple issues daily, as well as planning for future media interactions and stakeholder engagement on key decisions and agency priorities.

This position requires a gifted writer with an understanding of the APVMA’s operating environment, and the ability and passion to share the stories and science behind how we protect the health of people, animals and the environment, and support primary industries, biosecurity, and trade.  

More information on the position can be found in the Candidate Information Package below.

Our Ideal Candidate / Selection criteria

To be considered for these roles you will need the following essential criteria:

  1. Tertiary qualifications in Media/Communications or Journalism, or extensive demonstrated knowledge and experience in the media, including feature and story writing, digital reporting, broadcast or other media avenues.
  2. Experience in developing and successfully implementing stakeholder engagement plans.
  3. Proven extensive strategic media engagement experience, including the ability to provide advice on complex problem solving and issues management.
  4. An understanding of, or the ability to rapidly acquire an understanding of, the agricultural and veterinary sectors and their regulation and maintain an in-depth knowledge of relevant stakeholders and their expectations.
  5. Experience in writing for or about organisations involved with agriculture, science, research, innovation or similar topics.
  6. Demonstrated experience in managing competing priorities while achieving strategic outcomes.
  7. Strong interpersonal and networking skills, highly articulate team player.

The following desirable criteria will also be assessed:

  • Experience in a regulatory environment
  • Government experience

Contact Us

At the APVMA, we value your skills and potential. We provide a collaborative and growth-oriented environment where your contributions are recognised and appreciated. If the prospect of working for a world-class regulator sounds like you and you're ready to take the next step in your career, apply for this position today! 

For further information on the position, please contact Cathy Sommerville, Director, Engagement and Communication on 0428 191 143 or Cathy.Sommerville@apvma.gov.au.

We look forward to receiving your application and exploring the possibility of welcoming you to our team!