Vanessa Lahey
Nambucca Valley
Summary
Experienced communications consultant with strong skills in stakeholder engagement and crisis communication. Known for crafting compelling multimedia content and refining media strategies to improve campaign outcomes.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications and Media Consultant
Self Employed
Coffs Harbour, NSW
01.2025 - Current
- Provide advice on digital media best practice and channel trends.
- Collaborate with clients to establish clear communication goals and objectives for campaigns.
- Conduct thorough market research to identify emerging trends and opportunities in the media landscape.
- Manage client relationships, ensuring timely communication and effective project execution.
- Develop customised media strategies for diverse clients to enhance brand visibility and messaging.
- Analyse campaign performance metrics to refine future media tactics and improve results.
Senior Media Officer
NSW Reconstruction Authority
Sydney Olympic Park, NSW (WFH/Hybrid)
07.2023 - 12.2024
- Researched and developed media releases, responses, holding statements, QAs and talking points.
- Developed, collated and managed briefing materials to prepare executives and Ministers for a variety of external media engagements.
- Maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders within and outside the organisation, including with the media, ministerial offices, other NSW government agencies.
- Coordinated communications with external emergency service groups.
- Provided media analysis for the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
- Managed and responded to contentious media, emerging issues and risk management.
Media Lead
NSW Education - Early Childhood Education and Childcare
Parramatta, NSW (WFH/Hybrid)
11.2022 - 07.2023
- Researched and developed media releases, responses, holding statements, QAs and talking points.
- Developed, collated and managed briefing materials to prepare executives and Ministers for a variety of external media engagements.
- Provided strategic media advice for ECEC programs: Universal Pre-Kindergarten, System Stewardship, Sector Workforce Strategy, and Early Childhood Outcomes Commissioning
- Managed and responded to contentious media, emerging issues and risk management.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align media initiatives with wider NSW Education goals.
- Created compelling multimedia content tailored for diverse audiences across digital channels.
Senior Communications and Engagement Officer
NSW Education Standards Authority
Sydney, NSW (WFH/Hybrid)
03.2022 - 11.2022
- Reviewed and analysed policy documents to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.
- Coordinated stakeholder engagement initiatives, fostering collaboration between educators and regulatory bodies.
- Managed project timelines and deliverables, ensuring timely completion of strategic objectives.
- Led workshops to educate stakeholders on changes in educational policies and standards compliance.
- Managed media requests, respond to media issues and provide regular media and social media reports using analytics tools
- Managed media responses, holding statements and approved messaging registers.
- Developed, collated and managed briefing materials to prepare executives and Ministers for a variety of external speaking engagements.
- Developed and managed external communication and engagement plans and implement tactics to support NESA's activities.
Media Liaison Officer
NSW Education
Parramatta, NSW (WFH/Hybrid)
08.2021 - 03.2022
- Researched and prepared media materials for key department stakeholders.
- Triaged media events and opportunities.
- Identified proactive media opportunities for regional NSW.
- Produced quality media materials including media releases, holding statements, talking points, case studies and pitches.
- Provided advice on contentious issues.
- Stakeholder (internal and external) management and liaison.
- Facilitated communication between stakeholders to enhance educational program effectiveness.
- Developed informational materials to support program initiatives and engage participants.
- Coordinated efforts between teams to achieve project objectives within tight deadlines.
Education
Business Communication
Sydney University
Sydney, NSW01-2000
Skills
- Strategic media management and issues response
- Ministerial briefing and executive support
- Content creation across digital, print, and social platforms
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
- Crisis communication and reputation management
- Campaign evaluation using data and analytics
- Multimedia storytelling for diverse audiences
- Editing and proofreading for the team
Timeline
Communications and Media Consultant
Self Employed
01.2025 - Current
Senior Media Officer
NSW Reconstruction Authority
07.2023 - 12.2024
Media Lead
NSW Education - Early Childhood Education and Childcare
11.2022 - 07.2023
Senior Communications and Engagement Officer
NSW Education Standards Authority
03.2022 - 11.2022
Media Liaison Officer
NSW Education
08.2021 - 03.2022
Business Communication
Sydney University