Executive Manager - Policy and Consulting

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

14% superannuation

4 weeks annual leave with leaveLoading

Paid end of year office closure

15 days personal/carer's leave

5 days cultural and ceremonial leave

Flexible working: home or hybrid

Professional development allowance

Health and wellbeing allowance

Paid study leave

Salary sacrifice

Job summary

Lowitja Institute is seeking an Executive Manager - Policy and Consulting to lead public policy, advocacy and consulting work. You will set the direction for how policy shapes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research and how research informs real-world policy and systems change.

You’ll lead a six-person team, foster a high-performing, collaborative culture and grow the consulting arm covering policy, evaluation, facilitation, strategic planning, training and ethical frameworks.

Qualifications

• Lived experience and knowledge of the health, wellbeing and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) in policy, advocacy or consulting in ACCO, government, research or not-for-profit settings.
• Strong track record in government policy processes with ability to influence policy outcomes.
• Experience leading consulting services and complex projects, including business development and writing proposals.
• Experience managing major grant programs and relationships with funders.
• Strategic leadership with sharp analytical and problem-solving skills and sound judgement.
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams and foster collaboration.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder skills for senior decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy analysis and advocacy, including policy positions, submissions, briefs and reports.
• Advise the CEO and Deputy CEO on policy developments, priorities and risks.
• Design and deliver consulting services from scoping to budgets and subcontractor management.
• Run the GLOWS grant program end to end, from rounds to close-out and compliance.
• Oversee planning, budgets, resourcing and reporting across policy, consulting and knowledge translation.
• Measure impact of policy work and drive continuous improvement.
• Build trusted partnerships with communities, government, research institutions, funders and clients.
• Coach and develop the team, fostering a collaborative and accountable culture.

Skills

Policy leadership

Advocacy

Consulting leadership

Proposal writing

Grant management

Strategic leadership

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Negotiation

Cultural knowledge

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

Executive Manager - Policy and Consulting

First People Recruitment Solutions – Melbourne VIC

Full time

Hybrid

Lowitja Institute is Australia's only national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health research institute. Named in honour of the late Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG. Lowitja Institute are dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through high-impact research, knowledge sharing, and nurturing the next generation of First Nations health researchers.

With roots dating back to 1997, Lowitja Institute were formally established in 2010 and became a community controlled organisation in 2020, guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership.

About the Role

This senior leadership role leads Lowitja Institute's public policy, advocacy and consulting work. You'll set the direction for how Lowitja Institute shapes the policy that affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, and how research gets turned into real-world policy, practice and systems change.

You’ll lead a team of six, fostering a high performing, collaborative and values driven culture. You’ll also grow and strengthen Lowitja Institute's growing consulting arm, which covers policy, evaluation, facilitation, strategic planning, training and ethical frameworks. You’ll run the GLOWS grant program from start to finish, and you’ll represent Lowitja Institute in high profile national and international forums.

Key Duties

• Lead policy analysis and advocacy, including policy positions, submissions, briefs, discussion papers and reports
• Advise the CEO and Deputy CEO on new policy developments, advocacy priorities, consulting opportunities and risks
• Design and deliver consulting services, from scoping, proposals and budgets through to managing subcontractors, contracts and deliverables, while identifying opportunities to expand Lowitja Institute's consulting portfolio and impact
• Run the GLOWS grant program end to end, from grant rounds and assessment through contracting, monitoring and close-out, and meet head agreement obligations
• Oversee planning, budgets, resourcing and reporting across policy, consulting and knowledge translation
• Measure the impact of policy, advocacy and consulting work, and drive continuous improvement and organisational impact
• Continue to build and foster trusted partnerships with communities, government, research institutions, funders and clients
• Coach and develop your team, and build a collaborative and accountable culture

About You

• Demonstrated lived experience, connection to and knowledge of the health, wellbeing and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• A postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) and extensive senior experience in policy, advocacy or consulting in ACCO, government, research or not-for-profit settings
• A strong track record in government policy processes, with the ability to give authoritative advice and influence policy outcomes
• Experience leading consulting services and complex projects, including business development and writing proposals
• Experience managing major grant programs, funding agreements and relationships with funders
• Strategic leadership, with sharp analytical and problem-solving skills and sound judgement
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder skills, including influencing senior decision-makers

More than a job. More reasons to join!

• 14% superannuation contributions
• Four (4) weeks annual leave (with 17.5% leave loading) per year
• Paid end of year office closure
• 15 days personal/carer's leave per year
• Five (5) days paid cultural and ceremonial leave per year
• Flexible working arrangements, including working from home or hybrid in Naarm
• Additional leave options, including purchased annual leave, leave at half pay and other leave entitlements
• Professional development allowance
• Health and wellbeing allowance
• Paid study leave
• Salary sacrifice arrangements
• Play a key role in Lowitja Institute's flagship International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, helping shape and deliver a major international gathering that brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, researchers, policymakers and changemakers to advance health and wellbeing
• Generous time off in lieu (TOIL) associated with major events and conference delivery, including a paid post Lowitja Conference office closure
• Employee-led networks that foster collaboration, professional growth and staff voice, including a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff network supporting cultural connection and shared learning.