The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) was set up to assist the development of Victoria’s best athletes. It was established in 1990 by the State Government as a private trustee company, with its Board of Directors appointed by the Victorian Minister for Sport.
The VIS is located at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. The VIS headquarters completed a renovation in February 2023, providing a brand new workspace for athletes and staff. It is a non-residential institute, which utilises Melbourne’s outstanding sporting facilities, to allow high performance athletes to live and train in Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia.
The VIS operates in partnership with National Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Associations to deliver high performance daily training environments (DTEs) for sports and athletes in support of the National High Performance Sport Strategy outcomes. Our facility and staff help prepare and support future and current Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games and World Champion athletes.
Employee Benefits:
The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) provides a support work environment for you to be your best whilst supporting Victoria's best athletes. In addition, all employees have access to:
2xu gear to proudly represent the VIS brand
Friday Staff Sport - to get that competitive energy out and socialise with all staff
Heavily subsidised access to St Ali barista coffee and Albert Park parking
Professional development opportunities
Newly renovated office with ergonomic sit/stand desks and plenty of natural light & open windows
Free access to gym, boxing classes and pool/recovery facilities
Job Description
The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) is seeking a dynamic and strategic Public Affairs & Marketing Manager to champion our brand, amplify our stories, and elevate our reputation across the Victorian community and beyond.
In this key role, you will drive media, communications, and marketing strategies that position the VIS as an industry leader in innovation, community engagement, and elite high-performance sport. From our athletes’ journeys to staff successes, you’ll craft compelling narratives that reflect the heart of who we are—now and on the road to Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
While this role is advertised as full-time, we’re open to discussing a 0.8FTE (4 days per week) arrangement for the right candidate.
Key Responsibilities
Media & Public Affairs
Build strong media relationships and pitch compelling stories that showcase our impact.
Lead media liaison for the CEO’s office, manage enquiries, and identify proactive promotional opportunities.
Coordinate media opportunities for VIS athletes and oversee PR events.
Monitor and report on media coverage to inform strategic direction.
Marketing & Communications
Develop and execute creative marketing strategies that reflect our values and strategic plan.
Create engaging content for digital platforms, publications, and internal communications.
Play a support role in updating content for the website, internal comms and manage some of the social media platforms.
Write and edit material to tell the stories of the VIS to drive engagement and demonstrate value to the Victorian Community and Government.
Integrate partner and sponsor brand and marketing objectives as prescribed to achieve partnership objectives.
Stakeholder Engagement
Cultivate relationships with National Sporting Organisations, State Sport Organisations and Associations, Games Partners (AOC), AIS and community partners.
Support our government relations strategy with briefing papers, visits, and proactive engagement.
Provide communications support to the VIS Board and Executive team.
Help manage issues to protect the reputation of the Institute and out stakeholders, providing expert guidance during crises and crafting communication plans that inspire.
Leadership & Development
Lead and inspire the Public Affairs & Marketing team, fostering a culture of creativity, growth, and accountability.
Provide media training and brand-building opportunities for staff and athletes.
Facilitate a safe, inclusive, and respectful team culture aligned with VIS values.
Desired Skills and Experience
5+ years working in a marketing, communications, public relations or media role
Tertiary qualification in media, communications, marketing or related filed or significant experience in a media/marketing position
Outstanding communication skills across press releases, media interviews or executive reports and an ability to deliver these with impact and precision
Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and emotional intelligence, with a demonstrable ability to engage new stakeholders quickly and foster strategically aligned partnership that are mutually beneficial
Advanced innovation and creativity skills to effectively design and deliver a variety of content and engagement activities to support VIS brand awareness
Highly developed conceptual and problem-solving skills, with a sharp eye for seizing opportunities others may miss and always asking how we can do things better
Experience in leading a team, high-performance sport and understanding of the Australian sports system (desirable)
What You’ll Bring
A deep belief in the VIS vision and a strong desire to enhance our impact through powerful communication.
A strategic lens and a drive for continuous improvement—you’re not afraid to question the status quo or evolve your approach to meet changing needs.
The ability to connect and communicate with influence—from athletes and coaches to government and media leaders.
A collaborative spirit and commitment to building strong, respectful relationships both internally and externally.
Confidence to lead by example, uphold high standards, and inspire creativity, accountability, and excellence in your team.
A strong external network you can draw on for insights, innovation, and opportunities to elevate the VIS brand and strategy.
Applications close Thursday 29th May.
The VIS is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive space for all, celebrating our differences where everyone is valued, included and supported. Guided by our motto 'Success in Sport & Life’, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, ages, and abilities including those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people with a disability. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable opportunities for all, including making reasonable adjustments in recruitment and workplace processes to ensure everyone can perform at their best.
