Director - Economist

Www.chandlermacleod.com; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Chandler Macleod seeks an experienced Director to lead government investment policy initiatives in Australia, collaborating with Commonwealth agencies and state governments to progress negotiations and policy solutions. You will drive economic and industrial policy, manage multidisciplinary teams, and provide strategic advice to Ministers and senior executives.

The role demands strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and exceptional communication of complex economic and financial concepts

Qualifications

• Significant experience guiding complex policy development and implementation.
• Strong grasp of economic and industrial policy and government investment frameworks.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams in high-pressure environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex negotiations with industry stakeholders, including term sheets and legal agreements.
• Develop high-quality Ministerial briefings, Executive submissions and Cabinet documentation.
• Provide strategic policy advice on government investments and industrial capability initiatives.
• Manage competing priorities and complex projects in a dynamic environment.
• Oversee advisors supporting policy development and negotiations.
• Build relationships across Commonwealth agencies, state governments and industry stakeholders.
• Translate economic and financial analysis for non-technical audiences including Ministers.
• Identify and manage risks with governance and probity.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Public Policy or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

As Director, you will play a pivotal leadership role supporting government investment initiatives aimed at strengthening Australia's industrial capabilities and economic resilience. You will work closely with industry leaders, Commonwealth agencies and state governments to progress complex negotiations and develop policy solutions that deliver outcomes in the national interest.

This role is suited to an experienced executive who thrives in fast-paced environments, can navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and has strong economic, commercial and policy expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support complex negotiations with industry stakeholders, including development of term sheets and legal agreements.
• Develop high-quality Ministerial briefings, Executive submissions and Cabinet documentation.
• Provide strategic policy advice regarding government investments and industrial capability initiatives.
• Manage competing priorities and complex projects in a dynamic environment.
• Oversee commercial and legal advisors supporting policy development and negotiations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across Commonwealth agencies, state governments and industry stakeholders.
• Communicate complex economic and financial analysis to non-technical audiences, including senior executives and Ministers.
• Identify and manage risks while ensuring appropriate governance, probity and transparency.

About You

To be successful in this position, you will demonstrate:

• Significant experience leading complex policy development and implementation activities.
• Strong understanding of economic policy, industrial policy and government investment frameworks.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams in high-pressure environments.
• Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes.
• Experience preparing advice for Ministers, senior executives and government decision-makers.
• Sound judgement and the ability to manage risk in complex operating environments.
• Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to translate complex economic and financial concepts into clear advice.

Desired Experience

• Experience negotiating commercial arrangements and Financial Assistance Agreements.
• Understanding of heavy industry, manufacturing, investment or economic development policy.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Public Policy or a related discipline is highly desirable.

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.