National Manager, Government Relations & Advocacy

• Drive advocacy at national level
• Engage directly with government leaders and influence public policy
• Sydney CBD or Canberra based (hybrid work flexibility)

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that works with children and young people experiencing poverty to overcome their circumstances and reach their full potential by providing holistic, long-term support for their education.

About the role

We are seeking a strategic leader to join the organisation as National Manager, Government Relations and Advocacy. This influential role is crucial in building and maintaining strong relationships with government bodies and advocating for policies that address educational inequality caused by poverty.

Working closely with our senior leaders, this position will build and manage strong relationships across all levels of government and the broader policy and advocacy community. You will act as the organisation’s key representative in advocacy forums, drive policy influence through submissions and campaigns, and provide expert strategic advice internally to our key senior leaders around government relations. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of a national advocacy strategy aligned to The Smith Family’s organisational strategy.
• Establish and sustain effective working relationships with Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior bureaucrats, and political advisers across all relevant jurisdictions.
• Represent The Smith Family at parliamentary forums, inquiries, public policy consultations, as well as at sector forums, conferences/roundtables, and other strategic engagements.
• Design and implement advocacy initiatives, including submissions, briefing documents, policy position statements, and media messaging.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to support sector-wide campaigns and coalition advocacy efforts.

About you

You are an experienced government relations and/or advocacy leader with a deep understanding of the political, policy, and advocacy landscape at both a State and National level. As well as a passion for community and addressing educational inequality, you will bring:

• 5+ years’ experience in government relations, advocacy, or public affairs
• Proven experience in government relations, advocacy, or public affairs, ideally in a not-for-profit, public policy, or political environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong, trusting relationships and influence a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers and community partners.
• Exceptional communication skills, written and verbal, including experience preparing high-level policy documents and presenting to government.
• Strong understanding of Australian political systems and public policy processes at local, state, and federal levels.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Relevant Tertiary Qualifications, bachelor’s degree; Political Science / Australian Politics /Public Policy / Public Administration, Law, Communications / Public Relations / Journalism, International Relations, Social Sciences / Humanities (focus on policy or social justice).

Our benefits

Employees are at the centre of The Smith Family’s values and operations. By joining our team, you can expect to: 

• Find balance; with flexible work options and opportunities to purchase additional annual leave.
• Maximise your take home pay; with salary packaging, as well as opportunities to save with discounts at retailers across the country.
• Fulfill your potential, with excellent career opportunities, a suite of development programs and a dedicated learning and development platform.
• Feel you belong; with inclusive leave options, including paid parental, cultural and gender affirmation leave.
• Thrive; with support for you and your family’s mental and physical health with a complete care and safety platform with unlimited Employee Assistance.  

If you are passionate about advancing long-term change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and want to lead strategic impact at a national level please click apply, we’d love to hear from you.  You may view the position description here.

Closing date: 5 August 2025

 
Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must be prepared to undertake a National Police Check and a Working with Children’s Check. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to principles of cultural diversity. Applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged.