Assistant Director, Government Relations

EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379per annum plus superannuation (From 13 March 2025, a 3.8% salary increase will take effect as per the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027)
- Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Division
- Canberra, ACT

**Who we are**

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is a Corporate Commonwealth entity. ARENA’s main objective is to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia. ARENA was established on 1 July 2012 under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Act 2011 (the ARENA Act). ARENA has received significant additional funding over the past 3 budget cycles and is trusted by the Government to deliver many of its most impactful emissions reduction programs.

ARENA supports the Government's emissions reduction goals of 43% reduction in net emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050, through its focus on technology innovation and commercialisation to the benefit of Australia. ARENA complements other funding bodies and provides financial assistance to renewable energy, energy efficiency and electrification technologies for research, development, demonstration and deployment projects. The provision of knowledge sharing forms an important part of ARENA’s functions. ARENA operates under its own Act of Parliament, and the ARENA Board and CEO are responsible to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon. Chris Bowen MP.

In 2024, the ARENA Act was amended to provide for $6.1bn in statutory funding for the Agency through to 2039.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer supports our Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversee the day-to-day operations of ARENA to ensure that we meet our business objectives and deliver value for our stakeholders. The team is committed to excellence in all that we do, and we strive to maintain a high level of performance across the organisation. We work to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and drive innovation. We believe that open communication and collaboration are key to our success, and we encourage all workers to share their ideas and suggestions for improving our operations. We are committed to creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered.

In the Office of the COO, we are responsible for:

- Responsive, efficient and effective engagement in managing ARENA’S operations. Management of ARENA’s risk and assurance function and support of internal audit program and audit committee.
- Support to the delivery of cross-cutting projects by providing assistance for project initiation, planning and reporting to senior management.
- Provision of Secretariat services for the smooth running of various internal/external committees.
- Developing and maintaining strong and effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including our portfolio Department and other Commonwealth Departments and Agencies, including our coordination input responsibilities.
- Coordinate cross-cutting briefing, including Senate Estimates preparation, other ministerial or departmental requests, Incoming Government or Minister Briefings and ministerial submissions and correspondence.

**The Job**

The Assistant Director will work collaboratively within a small team, and will be required to exercise a significant of degree of autonomy. Excellent judgement, as well as collaborative and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to build and maintain high trust relationships. The Assistant Director, Government Relations will:

- Provide strategic advice to inform ARENA’s engagement with federal and state and territory governments, departments and other government agencies, as well as ministers and parliamentarians.
- Help deliver ARENA’s government relations strategy that encompasses departmental and executive engagement with Commonwealth departments and other government bodies including Special Investment Vehicles.
- Assist in the preparation for ARENA appearances before Senate Estimates and other committee hearings.
- Assist in the preparation of ARENA’s response to Budget Measures.
- Co-coordinate a programme of regular engagement between ARENA workers and Commonwealth department staff.
- Monitor and report on government priorities, polices and emerging issues impacting the Agency.
- Represent the agency in high-level meetings and negotiations with stakeholders.
- Assist in the preparation and review of correspondence, briefs and reports including submissions and documents and other regular content for senior leadership and various committee considerations.
- Temporarily manage incoming ARENA Coord requests when the Executive Support Officer is on leave.
- Demonstrate high integrity, leadership behaviours, values-based management and encourage these in others.
- Contribute to a high performing and close-knitted culture within the Government Relations functi