Director of Policy

The Investor Group On Climate Change is seeking a Director of Policy and Advocacy in Australia, specifically Melbourne or Sydney. This role involves leading the strategic policy agenda to address climate change impacts on the investment sector. Responsibilities include developing policy positions, engaging with stakeholders, and managing a policy team. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in public policy and advocacy, with strong communication and leadership skills.
Location: Melbourne/Sydney/Melbourne

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to help Australia’s $4+ trillion investment sector influence the policies that will accelerate progress to a climate-resilient net zero economy.  

The Investor Group on Climate Change is the investment community’s authoritative voice on climate change.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy leads the shaping and advancing of IGCC’s strategic policy agenda and advocacy efforts on behalf of our members, while also delivering external engagement to position IGCC as the foremost voice for investors in Australia and New Zealand. 

The position of Director Policy and Advocacy focuses on delivering policy solutions that address systemic risks and opportunities of climate change, with material impact on IGCC’s members’ ability to generate returns for their 15 million beneficiaries over the long-term. 

Our policy positions are created through thought leadership, extensive member consultation and research based on the latest science. IGCC then advocates for these policies by engaging with relevant decision-makers across Parliament, government departments, regulators, media, the community, and other key stakeholders. A key aspect of this role is facilitating engagement between our members and policy makers.

Responsibilities
• Convening and proactively leading IGCC’s policy and advocacy strategy to address the systemic socioeconomic risks and opportunities of climate change, industry priorities, government and industry led initiatives and emerging strategic risks
• Defining policy positions and proposals in consultation with IGCC team, the CEO and relevant stakeholders
• Developing and maintaining senior relationships with IGCC members, ministerial offices, parliamentarians, public officials, external experts, peer associations and other stakeholders.
• Undertaking fundraising to support the IGCC policy program and broader organisation.
• Representing IGCC in advocacy in high-level activities such as meetings, inquiries, and conferences.
• Managing and mentoring the IGCC policy team, and as a member of the senior leadership team, providing organisational leadership more broadly.
• Ensuring appropriate liaison and cooperation with all areas of IGCC’s work, including Investor Practice and Corporate Engagement workstreams, as well as across key thematic areas including physical risk and resilience and just transition.
• Supporting international policy initiatives through IGCC’s global investor collaboration networks.

About you

You will be an experienced and respected public policy, government relations or industry professional that is able to display leadership and critical thinking in policy development.

You will have excellent communication and influencing skills that can be tailored to different audiences and be able to provide sound advice and expert guidance to the CEO, IGCC Board and policy makers on policy issues affecting climate action in our industry.

You have a deep understanding and demonstrate success in policy advocacy, being able to develop strategy and outcomes, and translate policy positions into clear, actionable advocacy plans and recommendations for policy makers.

You will be an excellent people leader and contribute towards ensuring IGCC is a great place to work.

Essential Selection Criteria
• 10+ years' experience in a public policy, government relations, regulatory affairs, or relevant industry role;
• Outstanding strategic policy, planning and influencing skills;
• Proven ability to develop innovative and sound policy proposals;
• Strong experience in advocacy and campaigning across the policy system;
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills;
• High level supervisory and organisational management experience;
• Proven ability to work effectively and consultatively with a diverse range of stakeholders;
• Extensive knowledge of political governmental structures and policy processes and how different stakeholders impact policy making;
• Understanding of climate finance and Investment levers, and;
• Graduate qualifications in relevant disciplines such as public policy, economics, law, or social science.