We recently asked Sam, the Digital Engagement Manager in the Communications, Engagement and Education team in the Department of Parliamentary Services some questions about her work with the Parliament of NSW.  Here’s what she told us: 

What is the role of the Digital Engagement Manager?  

The Digital Engagement Manager role includes creating and reviewing social media content, crafting social media and event promotion strategies, analysing social media and website data, writing content for the Education and NSW Parliament websites, updating webpages. It’s varied but generally all about using our digital tools to engage with the people of NSW!  

A big part of the role is supporting the events that the Education team, and some of our other teams in the department of parliamentary Services, run for the public. Aside from coordinating the promotion of the events, so people know about them and want to come along, I also take photos and videos at the events to share afterwards.  

 What kind of background / qualifications / attributes do you need to do your job?   

Experience in marketing is very important in the role, as well as being comfortable with all kinds of digital tools. Being able to learn to use a new tool quickly is very helpful. The role involves social media, email, website and a little video and photo editing, so varied experiences in marketing, publicity or even graphic design are beneficial. A desire to learn, being highly organised and detail oriented are attributes that will help anyone in this kind of role.  

Could you describe a typical day working with the Communications, Engagement and Education team?   

In a typical day, I first review the latest social media data to understand how our content is performing, then check for any new messages from our community to respond to. I could then be creating or approving upcoming social media content, editing a video or an image to use later. I’ll spend time writing a promotion plan or a shot list for an upcoming event or have meetings with colleagues to discuss a project we’re working on. I also create and edit pages for our websites, including writing some of the content.

Your role also involves assisting the Parliament’s Education and Engagement team with their programs.  Can you tell us about your favourite program?   

One of the things that surprised me when I first started working at NSW Parliament was the sheer number of public events that are delivered! A great perk in the role is the ability to attend and learn about NSW Parliament’s history or unique processes. One of my favourite programs recently was the talk earlier this year with Professor Clare Wright, which was about the women’s suffrage movement in Australia.  

What do you love about working at Parliament House?  

The NSW Parliament building is a unique place to work! It’s a historical building, but it’s also been added to over time. I love coming across the historical architecture or objects, and with our team’s office space located in the library I’m always surrounded by books. I also love the sheer variety of projects I work on and the teams I work with. From new research papers about important and topical subjects, historical artefacts like the Muster Book, our Parliament Unpacked public program guest panels, open days or fine dining events held at the Strangers’ Restaurant, every day is different.