Senior Government Relations

• Employment Type: Full Time
• Duration:  Contract until 31 Dec 2026
• Remuneration: 148k-$157k+ 17% super & leave loading
• Location:  Canberra City Campus, Australian Capital Territory

About UNSW
UNSW isn't like other places you've worked. We're a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged, and do meaningful work, you're in the right place.

This role is based at UNSW, Canberra City Campus, located in the ACT.

Why Your Role Matters:
At UNSW we have built a reputation as one of the world's leading research and teaching-intensive universities, known for innovative, pioneering research and high-quality education with a global impact. The Senior Government Relations Manager is a strategic role working to increase this profile with government and support UNSW's participation in key policy debates and government planning. 

Responsibilities:

We're looking for someone to build relations and get ahead of policy issues. You will bring your extensive background and networks in advocacy, government or similar to identify and secure opportunities for engagement and partnership with government. You will be confidently engaging with key stakeholders to build strong relations and maintain networks that create opportunities to strengthen UNSW's standing with government.

Through your developed understanding of UNSW's distinctive strengths and capabilities, you will highlight projects and initiatives relevant to political and public service stakeholders as they align with existing or emerging government policy developments.

The role reports to the Director of Government Relations & Policy, supporting the Vice- President of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement and will also work closely with the Dean and Rector of UNSW Canberra, the Vice-Chancellor and other senior UNSW leaders. The Senior Government Relations Manager (Canberra) has no direct reports. Key duties include:

• Building and strengthening UNSW's stakeholder network and identifying opportunities for partnership with government, including funding, contribution to policy debates, events, visits to campus.
• Providing timely and accurate expert advice regarding developments in government to senior stakeholders within the University.
• Liaising with UNSW's Corporate Communications Team to develop and pitch government policy initiatives to media.
• Proactively seeking and managing government engagement opportunities to increase the profile of UNSW with government.
• Assisting with the preparation of policy reports, briefing papers, speeches, submissions and discussion papers on current and emerging issues in higher education.
• Supporting the Director of Government Relations & Policy to develop and implement the government relations workplan which supports the agreed strategy for the Division
• Promoting UNSW's activities in Canberra, including as the education partner of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and the development of the new UNSW Canberra City Campus

Who You Are: 
You will hold a relevant degree or equivalent knowledge with extensive, relevant experience such as a role in government relations, or in a parliamentary, ministerial or relevant public service agency alongside:

• A proven record of developing successful government relations strategies and plans and leading their implementation to deliver enhanced engagement.
• A deep understanding of government relations alongside familiarity with the political environment at a senior level and/or other industry-related work.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly understand new subject matter, as well as a range of complex policy issues, in order to provide high quality advice to internal stakeholders and advocate on the broad range of subjects externally.
• You'll be an excellent communicator with demonstrated expertise in writing and producing publications, web content and communications materials as well as presenting.
• You're a confident networker with developed interpersonal, stakeholder management and negotiation skills with an ability to influence senior management.
• As a strategic thinking you'll bring your ability to apply judgement, creativity and flexibility to generate new and innovative ideas and approaches and to solve complex problems.

Benefits and Culture:   People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include: 

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc) 
• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
• Career development opportunities 
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)

Eligibility: 
The successful candidate will be required to undertake pre-employment checks prior to commencement in this role. The checks that will be undertaken are listed in the Position Description. You will not be required to provide any further documentation or information regarding the checks until directly requested by UNSW.  

The successful candidate will be required to work from the UNSW Canberra campus. To be successful you will hold Australian Working Rights or Australian Citizenship. UNSW is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.  

How to apply:  
Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Please apply via our online recruitment system. In your application, please include:

• your CV
• a 2-page pitch addressing the Skills and Experience outlined in the Position Description

Applications Close: Sunday 16th November 11:55pm AEST 

Contact:  Katherine Molloy, Talent Acquisition Consultant
E:  (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online)

For further information about UNSW Canberra, please visit our website: UNSW Canberra 
Find out more about the lifestyle and benefits when working with UNSW  

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.