Policy Advisor

Robert Walters is seeking a Policy Advisor for a temporary two-year role in Brisbane, QLD. The position involves shaping environmental policy, providing expert guidance, and managing stakeholder relationships. Key responsibilities include supporting strategic environmental management, acting as secretary to the Executive and Working Group, and coordinating submissions. The ideal candidate should be a skilled communicator with a background in environmental management and a collaborative approach to influence change.
We’re excited to partner with a leading industry association in the search for a passionate and experienced Policy Advisor to join their dynamic team, this temporary two-year role offers a rare opportunity to make a tangible impact on environmental policy and strategic planning across Queensland. If you're a skilled communicator with a strong background in environmental management and a desire to influence change, this role is your chance to step into a highly visible and meaningful position.

As a Policy Advisor, you will play a central role in shaping the environmental agenda by providing expert policy guidance, managing key stakeholder relationships, and driving the development of forward-thinking strategies. You'll work closely with the Executive and Working Group, offering secretariat services and ensuring smooth coordination of submissions, meeting documentation, and forum participation. This is a unique opportunity to operate at the heart of decision-making, helping to influence how industry and government approach sustainability and resource management.

This position is suited to someone who thrives in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment and has a knack for bringing people together around shared objectives. Your ability to analyse policy, anticipate emerging issues, and offer strategic recommendations will be key to your success. Beyond this, you’ll also be responsible for identifying opportunities for innovation, improving internal processes, and ensuring optimal use of resources within your function.

Stakeholder engagement is another crucial element of this role. You’ll serve as a key point of contact for a variety of partners and stakeholders, including government agencies, community groups, and industry leaders. Your ability to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively will be essential in fostering productive relationships and ensuring the association’s voice is well-represented in all relevant forums.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide Support, Advice, and Guidance on Strategic Environmental Management

As a Policy Advisor, you will offer expert advice on the development and implementation of strategic environmental management plans. This involves analysing environmental data, policies, and legislation to ensure that strategies are both current and effective. You will be expected to provide strategic insights that help the organisation achieve sustainability goals, while also ensuring compliance with relevant environmental regulations. Your input will be instrumental in guiding decision-makers to adopt forward-thinking approaches to environmental management.
• Act as Secretary to the Executive and Working Group

In this role, you will provide administrative and secretariat support to the Executive and Working Group. This will include coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, taking minutes, and following up on action items. You will also ensure that the Working Group’s work is efficiently communicated to all stakeholders and that decisions are documented accurately. Your organisational skills will be key in ensuring these groups run smoothly and remain focused on their strategic priorities.
• Coordinate Submissions and Attendance at Various Forums

A core responsibility of the role is managing the coordination of submissions to external forums, consultations, and policy discussions. You will work closely with key stakeholders to develop well-researched, evidence-based submissions that reflect the organisation's position on various environmental matters. You will also represent the organisation at industry forums, government consultations, and other relevant events. Your presence at these forums will ensure the association’s perspective is well-represented, and you’ll engage in discussions that shape environmental policies.
• Develop Actions to Address Short to Medium-Term Business Needs

You will proactively identify short and medium-term business needs and develop appropriate actions to address them. This could involve conducting assessments, gathering data, and consulting with other departments to ensure the strategic alignment of environmental management objectives. Your actions will aim to resolve pressing challenges, improve processes, or drive innovation within the organisation’s operational framework. You will work closely with internal teams to implement these actions efficiently and effectively.
• Promote and Implement Innovation and Improvements in Process and Systems

The role requires you to champion a culture of innovation, constantly seeking ways to enhance existing processes and systems. Whether through the integration of new technologies, streamlining operations, or adopting best practices in environmental management, you will lead efforts to improve the way the organisation works. Your strategic thinking and ability to identify areas for improvement will be crucial in ensuring that the organisation remains at the forefront of environmental management practices.
• Optimise the Use of Resources within Your Function

You will be tasked with ensuring the optimal allocation and usage of resources within the environmental management function. This means balancing priorities, managing budgets, and finding ways to deliver on key objectives without overextending resources. Your focus will be on achieving maximum impact with the resources available, ensuring that efforts are sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.
• Identify, Evaluate, and Mitigate Risks Associated with Your Field of Expertise

As a Policy Advisor, you will play an essential role in identifying potential risks to the organisation’s environmental initiatives. You will evaluate these risks in terms of their impact on both short and long-term objectives and develop mitigation strategies to minimise or avoid potential issues. Whether it's environmental, regulatory, or operational risks, you will ensure that all potential obstacles are accounted for and addressed in a timely manner.
• Play the Role of Stakeholder Account or Key Contact as Defined by the Communication Function

One of your key functions will be to act as the main point of contact for stakeholders in relation to environmental management matters. This could involve managing relationships with government agencies, industry leaders, community organisations, and internal teams. You will engage in regular communication with these stakeholders to ensure that their needs are met, concerns are addressed, and opportunities for collaboration are explored. Your ability to build and maintain strong, productive relationships will be vital to the success of the role.

To thrive in this role, you’ll need a strong foundation in environmental policy, along with experience in project management, strategy development, and stakeholder engagement. You should be confident working autonomously and comfortable managing competing priorities. Advanced Microsoft Suite skills and a current Queensland Open Driver’s Licence are also required.

What sets this opportunity apart is the organisation itself. Known for its commitment to environmental responsibility and forward-thinking approach, this association offers a genuinely inclusive and supportive work culture. Employees are valued for their individual contributions and encouraged to share ideas that improve systems and influence the broader environmental landscape.

In return for your expertise, you’ll have the chance to contribute to policy decisions that shape Queensland’s environmental future, gain exposure to senior leadership, and work on high-impact initiatives that align with your professional values. This role offers the flexibility, purpose, and professional development opportunities you've been looking for.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.
To apply please click apply or call (consultant's full name) on (consultant's direct number) for a confidential discussion.