📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Change Communications Manager
🔹 Company: WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
🔹 Location: Elizabeth St, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, 6-month contract
🔹 Category: Research
🔹 Date Posted: May 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and overseeing change communications activity
- Providing strategic communications advice to change management teams
- Collaborating with diverse projects and teams to ensure a strong and aligned narrative across key change programs
- Championing the shared role of leaders and stakeholders in supporting and delivering change communications
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, collaboration, and adaptability to support WEHI's organizational changes.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating change communications activity
✅ Providing strategic communications advice to change management teams
✅ Collaborating with diverse projects and teams to ensure a strong and aligned narrative across key change programs
✅ Championing the shared role of leaders and stakeholders in supporting and delivering change communications
ASSUMPTION: This role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously and maintaining attention to detail.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Degree in a relevant field preferred
Experience: 10+ years of industry experience in a relevant communications or engagement role
Required Skills:
- Self-motivated and agile
- Able to create a sense of collaboration and shared direction amongst disparate and diverse teams or stakeholders
- Outcomes focused with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously and maintain attention to detail
- Strong presentation skills with the ability to confidently engage with senior executives and change advocates
- Strong strategic planning capability, with the ability to mine data to identify actionable insights
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, exercise judgement, and initiative to identify and address challenges
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working and influencing within complex organisational structures
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a degree in a relevant field and significant experience in communications or engagement roles are strongly encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: AUD 114,659 - 124,104 per year (Professional Services Employee (PSE) Level 8)
Benefits:
- Up to 17% superannuation
- Attractive salary packaging options
Working Hours: Full-time, 38 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the PSE Level 8 scale for Professional Services Employees at WEHI.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Research, specifically focused on cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders, and healthy ageing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment
Founded: 1915, with a rich history in medical research
Company Description:
- WEHI brings the world’s brightest minds together to make life-changing discoveries
- Committed to long-term discovery, collaborating with partners in science, health, government, industry, and philanthropy
- Focused on making discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders, and healthy ageing
Company Specialties:
- Cancer
- Inflammatory disorders
- Immune disorders
- Infectious diseases
- Medical research
- Healthy ageing
Company Website: wehi.edu.au
ASSUMPTION: WEHI's focus on research and collaboration with various partners creates an environment that values innovation and teamwork.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Managerial, with the opportunity to influence and drive change communications across the organization
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Communications and Marketing department and works closely with change management teams
Work Arrangement: Full-time, on-site, with the possibility of working on multiple projects simultaneously
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the role's scope based on the success of change communications initiatives
- Opportunities to work with and learn from leading researchers in various fields
- Possibility to develop skills in change management and strategic communications
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities through exposure to various projects and the chance to work with experienced researchers.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with the possibility of hybrid work arrangements in the future
Office Location(s): Elizabeth St, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Geographic Context:
- Parkville is a vibrant inner-city suburb of Melbourne, close to universities, hospitals, and cultural attractions
- WEHI's location allows for easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities
- The organization has two main campuses, with the primary one located in Parkville
Work Schedule: Full-time, 38 hours per week, with the possibility of flexible working arrangements
ASSUMPTION: WEHI's location in Parkville provides a stimulating work environment with access to various amenities and cultural attractions.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and relevant stakeholders
- Reference checks
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and ability to engage with senior executives
- Strategic thinking and planning capabilities
- Experience working in complex organizational structures
- Alignment with WEHI's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Address the key selection criteria in your cover letter, providing specific examples of how you meet each requirement
- Prepare for the interview by researching WEHI's mission, values, and recent projects
ATS Keywords: Change Communications, Strategic Planning, Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Data Analysis, Confidentiality, Judgement, Initiative
ASSUMPTION: WEHI's application process is designed to assess candidates' fit for the role and the organization, with a focus on communication skills, strategic thinking, and relevant experience.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Change management software (e.g., Planview, Smartsheet, or similar)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the projects and teams the candidate works with.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Agile and adaptable, with the ability to work in a dynamic and changing environment
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting
- Focused on outcomes and results
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with WEHI's values, particularly in the context of this role?
- How comfortable are you working in a dynamic and changing environment, and how do you adapt to change?
- How do you balance working independently and collaboratively, and how do you ensure effective communication in both settings?
ASSUMPTION: WEHI values candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with their organizational values and work style, particularly in the context of this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Working in a dynamic and changing environment, with the need to adapt to new information and circumstances
- Engaging with diverse stakeholders, including senior executives and change advocates
- Ensuring a strong and aligned narrative across key change programs, despite varying perspectives and priorities
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require a candidate with strong communication, adaptability, and strategic thinking skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique to WEHI, focusing on change communications within a research organization
- Similar roles in other organizations may include Change Communications Manager, Internal Communications Manager, or Strategic Communications Manager
- Career paths may include progression to more senior communications roles, or transition to change management or project management roles
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique to WEHI, and candidates should consider the specific context and requirements of the organization when comparing it to similar roles in other organizations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive change communications plan for a major organizational restructuring
- Collaborating with change management teams to ensure a strong and aligned narrative across key change programs
- Creating and delivering targeted communications to various stakeholder groups, including employees, clients, and partners
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are illustrative of the types of initiatives the successful candidate may work on, but the specific projects will depend on the organization's priorities and needs.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into WEHI's overall communications strategy, and how will it support the organization's goals?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
- How does WEHI support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the context of this role?
- What is the expected work-life balance for this role, and how does WEHI support work-life integration?
- How does WEHI foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and how does this role contribute to that culture?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the opportunities for growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, addressing the key selection criteria
- Prepare for the interview by researching WEHI's mission, values, and recent projects
- Follow up with the hiring manager, Sarah Saunders, after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
