About Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA)

VCEA is the peak body for Catholic education in Victoria. Established in 1973 by the Archbishop of Melbourne and the

Bishops of the Ballarat, Sale, and Sandhurst dioceses, it was incorporated in 2006 and acts as the voice of Catholic education in State and national matters. Following a review of the CECV the renewed peak body VCEA was established in 2023 and acts as the voice of Catholic education in state and national matters.

VCEA receives and distributes funding from state and federal governments for Catholic schools, provides strategic leadership and planning, and represents and advocates for Catholic education. It also provides and/or coordinates a range of statewide services to Catholic schools and school proprietors, to support school operations, efficiency and compliance, through statewide IT applications and data-related services. VCEA is also responsible for sector leadership in education integrity and governance and has a Memorandum of Understanding to act as a Review Body for Catholic schools with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).

VCEA also undertakes initiatives to improve the statewide performance of Catholic schools.

Why work with us

As the peak body for Catholic education in Victoria, VCEA provides employees an opportunity to help shape the future of Catholic education across the state. VCEA offers flexible working, a central city office location, competitive remuneration with generous benefits (including tax-advantageous salary sacrifice options), and opportunities for career development and progression.

These benefits combined with our commitment to work life balance, make VCEA an employer of choice.

About the role The Manager, Communications and Advocacy is a key position within VCEA and reports to the Deputy CEO / Chief

Strategy Officer (CSO). The Manager leads a team that is responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies, developing communication material, managing media relations, leading or supporting advocacy efforts, and providing expert advice within VCEA on communications. As part of this role, the Manager, Communication and

Advocacy collaborates with all VCEA’s portfolios and works closely with the Deputy CEO/CSO and the CEO.

This includes, but is not limited to:

- VCEA Communications: Managing, overseeing and/or providing advice on VCEA communications with internal

and external stakeholders, across its broad set of functions
- Advocacy: Leading and/or coordinating VCEA’s work advocating for and representing Catholic schools in





Victoria, supported by the CEO and Deputy CEO
- Stakeholder engagement: Overseeing and/or supporting the delivery of VCEA’s stakeholder engagement

strategy. Upon commencement, the Manager, Communications and Advocacy will lead a team 4 VCEA employees. VCEA also uses external consultants overseen by the Manager, Communications and Advocacy, to support work relating to the VCEA website, communications, graphic design, photography, market research and social media.

Position Title Manager, Communications and Advocacy

Reports to Deputy CEO / Chief Strategy Officer

Direct Reports Lead, Communications and Advocacy

Digital Communications Officer

Executive Officer, Catholic School Parents Victoria

Internal Relationships The position will work across VCEA supporting all communication activities.

VCEA Board and Board Committees.

External Relationships Catholic school proprietors (including diocesan school proprietors) and service providers, National Catholic Education Commission and other key stakeholders.

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INTERNAL

Key responsibilities of the role

VCEA Communications

- Oversee VCEA’s weekly communications to school principals
- Maintain and update the VCEA website
- Oversee VCEA’s engagement with the media including VCEA’s social media strategy
- Support VCEA communications to school employers, school principals and school staff and other stakeholders

on key VCEA functions and projects (e.g. enterprise bargaining, advocacy)

Advocacy

- Contribute to VCEA’s advocacy strategies, including for state and federal elections
- Lead the preparation and refinement of advocacy content
- Provide information and prepare papers to support decision-making by VCEA leadership on advocacy.

Stakeholder engagement

- Support delivery of VCEA’s stakeholder engagement strategy
- Build strong, trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, especially communications staff in

diocesan school proprietors
- Consult and engage with Catholic school proprietors and Catholic schools on VCEA communications
- Coordinate communications on statewide matters across Catholic school proprietors
- Assist in organising major VCEA events,



such as the VCEA annual general meeting and annual mass and dinner.

Key selection criteria

- Demonstrated experience in:

o Senior level stakeholder relations and/or community engagement, issues management and communications o Preparing and implementing successful communication strategies in complex environments o Proactively identifying major communications and stakeholder relations risks, opportunities and issues, and developing effective mitigation strategies as required o Developing high-quality content for a range of audiences on websites, the traditional media, online and social media.
- Strong leadership abilities, with experience in leading team members, managing workloads, and building a

positive work culture
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including the ability to present complex information

in a clear and compelling manner.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, with proven ability to build relationships and work productively and

collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Skills, qualifications, and pre-requisites

Qualifications Essential

- Tertiary qualifications in communications, marketing or a related degree

Other Requirements:

- Current Victorian Driver’s License.

Experience / • A minimum 5 years’ experience working in a senior communications or knowledge marketing position

- Experience working in the Catholic sector or in the education sector (preferred)

Organisational A commitment to the ethos, values, and mission of Catholic education and to VCEA values values of excellence, promoting the common good, integrity, and equity Other requirements • An understanding of and commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and protection of children, requiring that you:

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INTERNAL a. Must hold and maintain a current Victorian Working with Children

Check or be eligible to receive same upon joining the organisation.

b. Must also undergo and receive a transparent National Criminal History Check

(NCHC) upon employment and during your employment with VCEA. All employees are required not to have been charged with, nor found guilty of any offence which would be incompatible with employment with VCEA.

- Willingness to take reasonable care for your health and safety in the workplace

and for the health and safety of others who may be affected by what you do. PD00057 – August 2026 3

📌 Manager, Communications and Advocacy (Melbourne)
🏢 Catholic Education Commission Of Victoria
📍 Melbourne