senior manager – engagement

SENIOR MANAGER – ENGAGEMENT

This is an Identified position for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to lead a team that is responsible for human-based data collection across all our projects. This includes working with First Nations communities, government stakeholders, service providers and people from diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage First Nations engagement and fieldwork specialists with team leadership experience to apply.

Why join Inside Policy?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement specialists have lots of choices right now in the job market. What we offer at Inside Policy is something different.

• Stability & security: a salaried role with regular income, superannuation, cultural and paid parental leave entitlements, and the backing of a growing First Nations–led company.
• 9-day fortnight: supporting your social, emotional and cultural wellbeing with more time for family, community and yourself.
• Flexibility: work from home, from anywhere (some travel to Sydney and on projects will be needed).
• Mentoring & leadership development: dedicated support to grow your career.
• Impact at scale: influence major policy reforms impact First Nations peoples.

Here, you'll still do meaningful, high-profile work – but with a team beside you, a culture that values your knowledge, and the space to grow while supporting your wellbeing.

About Inside Policy

Founded by proud Kuku Yalanji woman Natalie Walker, Inside Policy is a purpose-driven company guided by strong First Nations leadership. We place cultural knowledge and lived experience at the centre of how we approach our work.

We're a social and economic policy advisory firm committed to making a difference for Australia's most vulnerable communities. Our team (the "Insiders") deliver high-quality evaluation and research projects for federal and state governments, philanthropic organisations and not-for-profits.

THE ROLE

As Senior Manager – Engagement, you'll lead our Engagement team – the heart of how we connect with government, stakeholders and community. You will:

• Build and lead small team of engagement specialists.
• Guide stakeholder engagement, facilitation and human research on a wide range of projects.
• Build strong relationships with communities, clients, and collaborators.
• Shape Inside Policy's engagement practice, ensuring it reflects First Nations ways of knowing and being.
• Contribute to major public policy reforms that impact First Nation's families and communities across Australia.

This is a leadership role where you'll have the opportunity to grow people, shape projects, and influence change.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

We're looking for someone who brings:

• At least five years' leadership experience in engagement, research or evaluation.
• Strong skills in stakeholder engagement and facilitation, with diverse stakeholder groups including First Nations peoples and organisations as well as people from diverse backgrounds and representatives from government, not-for-profits and academia.
• Knowledge of social policy areas like family violence, justice, or child and family services.
• A collaborative, strengths-based approach to leading teams and projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

Masters level or demonstrated experience in a related field.

ELIGIBILITY

This is an identified position for anAboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Applicants must:

·       Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.

·       Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

·       Be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived.

Exemption is claimed under:

·       Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

·       Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (VIC) or equivalent in other states.

·      Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), section 8(1).

We are a small yet growing band of committed evaluators and researchers who truly want to make a difference. We are learning as we grow about how to not only change the world one policy at a time but how to create a future-focused organisation that looks after each other and those with whom we work.

We are also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – including people who are neurodiverse, living with disability, or who may need adjustments to the recruitment process. Please let us know if this applies to you so we can support you through the process.

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Apply with your CV and cover letter explaining why you want to change the world and what you can bring to this role. Our selection process may involve a review of all applications, a mix of virtual and in-person interviews, and reference checks.

View a full position description here -