Chrissie McLeod
Gordon Park,QLD
Summary
Accomplished Media and Communications Professional with extensive experience leading media strategy, crisis and emergency communications, brand management, and public relations in government and non-government sectors. Skilled at excelling in high-pressure environments, fostering multi-agency collaborations, and delivering impactful messaging to enhance public engagement and organizational reputation. Diligent Media Manager with a proven track record of managing media campaigns and content production, resulting in heightened brand visibility and audience engagement. Demonstrates expertise in strategic planning and effective team leadership for achieving successful outcomes.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Communications and Engagement
Queensland Police Service, Emergency Management & Coordination Command
10.2024 - Current
- Strategic Communication & Engagement:
- Management and coordination of monthly newsletters on behalf of EMCC
- Analytics reports for stakeholder engagement
- Public Information Capability Lead and Communications and Engagement Lead throughout NQ Severe Weather Event and incoming Tropical Cyclone Alfred and CQ widespread flooding
- Exercise coordination for whole of government response to severe weather.
- Work collaboratively with DEM, SES, and MRQ to align internal and external communication strategies, ensuring consistency and effectiveness.
Senior Media and Public Affairs Lead (Disaster and Emergency Management, SES and MRQ transition)
Queensland Police Service
03.2024 - 10.2024
- Media Leadership & Crisis Management: Lead media inquiries within established QPS protocols and provide expert support for crisis media management, ensuring timely and accurate information dissemination.
- Social Media Governance: Oversee social media policy and provide governance support for volunteers, ensuring compliance with ethical and operational standards.
- Brand & Design Coordination: Assist DEM, SES, and MRQ with brand management and graphic design, ensuring alignment with whole-of-government policies and procedures.
- Press & Public Affairs: Coordinate press conferences and provide talking points to the Deputy Commissioner, Disaster and Emergency Management, ensuring clear and impactful messaging.
- Emergency Alerts & Preparedness: Develop and implement standard operating procedures and training for Emergency Alerts during severe weather events to optimize public safety communications.
- Content & Media Transition: Collaborate with QFES media to transition key documents, photographs, and videos to QPS, maintaining information integrity and accessibility.
- Ministerial & Government Coordination: Work alongside the Reform Implementation Team to manage Ministerial announcements and events, ensuring seamless execution.
Acting Media Manager
Queensland Police Service
10.2023
- Media Manager Key Achievements & Experiences
- Acted as the key liaison with Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, the Minister’s Office, and investigating officers to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to media and the public.
- Directed media inquiries, delegated tasks to media room staff, and prioritized workflow to provide journalists with timely and reliable information.
- Provided media policy and legislative guidance to QPS employees, media representatives, and other government agencies, ensuring compliance with regulations and strategic alignment.
Senior Media Advisor
Transport and Main Roads
04.2022 - 03.2023
- Key Account Management – Oversaw land transport safety and regulation, engineering, and technology initiatives across North Coast Region and Wide Bay.
- Media Event Leadership – Managed departmental media events, including Move Over, Slow Down laws, Personal Mobility Device Safety Action Plan, and Roadside Behaviour Monitoring System.
- Executive Media Coordination – Handled interview requests and media responses for General Managers and Regional Directors on high-profile topics such as Personal Mobility Device regulation reforms, mobile phone and seatbelt infringement notices, and medicinal cannabis driving laws.
- Strategic Campaign Management – Coordinated joint departmental and ministerial media events for major road safety campaigns, including Easter and Christmas initiatives, ensuring seamless execution of event materials and visuals.
Acting Senior Media Officer, State Crime Command
Queensland Police Service
11.2017 - 07.2020
- High-Stakes Media Coordination – Managed sensitive interview requests, including organizing a controversial Outlaw Motorcycle Gang feature with Nine Network.
- Targeted Digital Support Initiatives – Developed and oversaw a dedicated webpage providing resources for bikies transitioning out of gang life.
- National Campaign Leadership – Led Queensland’s contribution to National Missing Persons Week 2017, including launching Disappearing Person Alerts on Snapchat in partnership with the Public Relations Manager.
- Spokesperson & Public Engagement Management – Coordinated senior officials and family representatives for media appearances during NMPW, ensuring effective advocacy.
- Cross-Agency Collaboration – Worked closely with the Australian Federal Police to facilitate joint media coverage of national drug raid operations.
Senior Media Officer
Transport and Main Roads Commonwealth Games GC2018
10.2017 - 05.2018
- Strategic Public Transport Promotion – Identified proactive opportunities to enhance awareness and engagement with GC2018 public transport services.
- Multi-Modal Media Coordination – Managed responses to complex media enquiries involving key transport operators, including QR, GoldLinQ, and Surfside Buses.
- Stakeholder & Partnership Management – Fostered strong relationships with GOLDOC, City of Gold Coast, and the Minister’s office to maximize media exposure and campaign effectiveness.
- Ministerial Communications Oversight – Drafted, edited, and secured approvals for ministerial materials, including speaking points, FAQs, HIBs, and joint media releases.
- Operational Media Preparedness – Developed comprehensive operations manuals for games-time media personnel across host and event cities.
- Crisis & Readiness Planning – Designed and tested media response crisis scenarios to ensure seamless execution during GC2018.
- Key Achievements:
- Trained and managed TMR colleagues across Brisbane, Cairns, and Townsville in centralized games-time communication strategy.
- Produced a post-GC2018 promotional video, serving as a strategic resource for future host cities.
Senior Media and Public Affairs Officer, Shift Supervisor
Queensland Police Service
11.2015 - 05.2016
- Leadership & Media Operations
- Acted as the key liaison with Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, the Minister’s Office, and investigating officers to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to media and the public.
- Directed media inquiries, delegated tasks to media room staff, and prioritized workflow to provide journalists with timely and reliable information.
- Provided media policy and legislative guidance to QPS employees, media representatives, and other government agencies, ensuring compliance with regulations and strategic alignment.
- Training & Mentorship
- Delivered media training sessions to senior QPS officers, updating presentations to reflect evolving communication strategies.
- Mentored and provided advisory support to media officers, fostering professional development and best practices in media engagement.
- Crisis & Incident Management
- Managed interview requests and coordinated media access with senior officers and executive leadership.
- Directed the deployment of staff to crime scenes, ensuring adherence to HR guidelines and operational protocols.
- Provided critical support to staff, including facilitating access to mental health resources for personnel returning from high-impact incidents.
Digital Media Officer
Queensland Police Service
02.2011 - 02.2012
- Below is a refined set of resume bullet points that clearly conveys your strategic digital media contributions and achievements for the QPS branch. These points are structured to highlight your leadership in award submissions, social media strategy, content production, training, and policyAward Submissions & Recognition:
- Researched, wrote, and coordinated award submissions on behalf of the branch.
- Successfully secured accolades such as Excellence in eGovernment 2.0, Excellence in eGovernment Innovator, QPS Gold Award for Excellence in Corporate Services, PRIA Golden Target Awards finalist, as well as winning state and national awards from the Department of Community Safety and the Australian Safer Awards.
-Digital and Social Media Strategy:
- Liaised with QPS employees, media representatives, and government agencies to provide expert advice on social media platforms and information release strategies.
- Developed proactive public affairs projects and conducted comprehensive reviews of current digital media practices to remain ahead of industry trends.
- Content Production & Management:
- Produced engaging internal and external QPS blog content in alignment with branch messaging.
- Initiated dynamic content projects for QPS social media channels, including the popular “What the Friday” series.
-Policy and Training:
- Authored style guides and terms of use for QPS social media platforms to ensure consistency and compliance.
- Delivered tailored training sessions on digital media platforms to QPS employees, fostering enhanced social media competency.
- Provided policy advice regarding the effective and ethical use of QPS digital media, supporting ongoing investigations and internal best practices.
- Community Engagement & Moderation:
- Moderated and maintained the branch’s online social media presence, ensuring clear, consistent communication in fast-paced environments.
These refined points not only detail your core responsibilities but also emphasize the measurable impact of your initiatives. Would you like further assistance tailoring these bullet points to reflect additional performance metrics or perhaps guidance on integrating these into a professional narrative for cover letters or performance reviews?
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism and Public Relations
Griffith University
Skills
- Media strategy development
- Oversee media campaign management
- Evaluate media performance metrics
- Cross-functional collaboration for cohesive messaging
- Manage content development across multiple platforms
- Manage media and influencer relationships
- Monitor industry trends
Awards
Queensland Police Service Medal 2019, QPS Award for Excellence – State Bronze Award for my contribution to the development of the Dutton Park Blog, Award for Excellence in Policing Operations - Metropolitan South Region - for contribution to myPolice, Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of contribution and support during 2011 flood disaster and Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Flood Citation, 2011, Certificate of appreciation in recognition of valuable insight provided at the District Duty Officer’s media training course.
Accomplishments
Supervised media operations during the **Extinction Rebellion Week of Action**, ensuring effective public messaging and strategic crisis management.
- Oversaw a team of up to eight staff during high-profile domestic violence cases, including the murder of **Tara Brown** in Molendinar and **Karina Lock** in Helensvale McDonalds, ensuring professional and compassionate handling of media coverage.
Timeline
Principal Communications and Engagement
Queensland Police Service, Emergency Management & Coordination Command
10.2024 - Current
Senior Media and Public Affairs Lead (Disaster and Emergency Management, SES and MRQ transition)
Queensland Police Service
03.2024 - 10.2024
Acting Media Manager
Queensland Police Service
10.2023
Senior Media Advisor
Transport and Main Roads
04.2022 - 03.2023
Acting Senior Media Officer, State Crime Command
Queensland Police Service
11.2017 - 07.2020
Senior Media Officer
Transport and Main Roads Commonwealth Games GC2018
10.2017 - 05.2018
Senior Media and Public Affairs Officer, Shift Supervisor
Queensland Police Service
11.2015 - 05.2016
Digital Media Officer
Queensland Police Service
02.2011 - 02.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism and Public Relations
Griffith University
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