Head of Government Relations

About the role
- Opportunity to make a difference in this executive leadership role
- Strategic advocacy and thought leadership focus
- Strong profile and reputation operational emphasis

The organisation
Settlement Services International (SSI) Group is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. It works with people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, people with disability, and youth and children, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.

The position
Reporting to and working closely with the Group Head of Stakeholder Relations, Research & Policy, as Head of Government Relations you will enhance and drive the profile and reputation of SSI through agile advocacy, thought leadership and government (at all levels) and other influencers - both ‘behind the scenes’ and publicly. You will work closely with the Office of the CEO, broader Executive team, and senior leaders to proactively drive public relations, government, political and advocacy work to protect and enhance the SSI brand among key stakeholders. You will be accountable for driving the delivery of SSI government relations plan nationally aligned to SSI’s strategic interests, provide relationship management to agreed community sector stakeholders and coordinate SSI’s broader public relations and advocacy strategies.

About you
To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate:

- Proven executive leadership ability;
- Proven success in driving implementation of a government relations plan;
- Strong strategic thinking and planning skills;
- Ability to interpret research and program evidence to drive appropriate strategies;
- Established networks with government and social community stakeholders;
- A background in social policy development and implementation;
- Excellent relationship and stakeholder management skills complemented by superior communications skills and being highly collaborative;
- Proven ability to influence at senior executive levels;
- Ability to identify emerging trends and simplify complex messages;
- Experience in strategic advocacy through using PR and communications to influence key external stakeholders;
- Strong political antennae;
- NFP experience would be advantageous; and
- Relevant tertiary degree qualifications (Social Policy, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or Business).

This role is based in Ashfield, Sydney and flexible working conditions apply.

SSI Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO) and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, mature aged workers and people from culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply.

Covid-19 statement: Aligned with overall State Government Health standards and guidance, SSI expects all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so. This is also a pre-condition to ongoing employment.

About SSI’s Recruitment Process
SSI has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation where protecting children and preventing and responding to child abuse is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of all employees, contractors and volunteers.

SSI is a Disability Confident Recruiter, and Meritos can assist in; providing alternative formats to apply, making adjustments to the recruitment process and offering information about workplace adjustments and support networks.

PBA3

Profession: #Community_Services

Sector: #Community_Engagement