Head of Strategic Relations

SSI; Logan City; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging benefits

Job summary

SSI Group in Australia is seeking an influential Head of Strategic Relations to lead national government relations and strategic relationship management, establishing SSI as a trusted adviser to governments and senior stakeholders across the country.

The role has a strong Queensland focus, working closely with Queensland leaders to deepen SSI's profile, expand partnerships and influence, and translate relationships into opportunities that advance social impact and organisational resilience.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in government relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement or strategic partnerships.
• Strong established government networks, especially in Queensland.
• Leadership experience with high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of SSI's national government relations strategy across federal and relevant state jurisdictions.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Ministers, advisers, parliamentarians and senior public servants.
• Identify opportunities from government priorities to advance SSI's impact and sustainability.
• Lead SSI's government relations in Queensland with state leaders to strengthen partnerships.
• Drive an enterprise-wide approach to government and stakeholder engagement across sectors.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, geographically dispersed Strategic Relations team.

Skills

Government relations

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic partnerships

Leadership

Policy networking

Influencing and negotiation

Job description

As one of Australia's leading social purpose organisations, we work alongside refugees, people seeking asylum, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, children, young people and families to create pathways to inclusion, belonging and opportunity.

We are seeking an influential, politically astute and highly connected leader to join our Advocacy and Public Affairs team as Head of Strategic Relations.

This is a unique opportunity to lead SSI's government relations nationally, deepen our relationships with decision-makers and strategic partners, and help translate those relationships into greater influence, stronger partnerships and better outcomes for the communities we serve.

About Role

Reporting to the Chief of Advocacy and Public Affairs, you will lead SSI's national government relations and strategic relationship management, positioning SSI as a trusted adviser and partner to governments and key stakeholders across Australia.

While national in scope, the role has a strong Queensland focus and will play a critical role in deepening SSI's relationships, profile, influence and partnerships across the state, working collaboratively with SSI’s Queensland-based leaders.

You will connect the dots across SSI – bringing together our government engagement, stakeholder relationships and organisational priorities so we engage externally with a clear, coordinated voice. Working alongside executives, program leaders and external stakeholders, you will open doors, build trusted relationships and identify opportunities that advance SSI's strategic priorities, strengthen organisational sustainability, advance our advocacy priorities and maximise our community impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of SSI's national government relations strategy across federal and relevant state jurisdictions
• Build and mantain trusted relationships with Ministers, advisers, parliamentarians and senior public servants, while supporting SSI leaders to develop and strengthen their own strategic relationships
• Identify and pursue opportunities arising from government priorities, policy developments and funding decisions to advance SSI's impact, influence and organisational sustainability
• Lead SSI's government relations in Queensland, working collaboratively with Queensland leaders and peers to jointly strengthen SSI's relationships, profile, influence and partnerships across the state
• Drive an enterprise-wide approach to government and stakeholder engagement, strengthening coordination, relationship management and partnerships across government, community, industry and the multicultural sector
• Lead and develop a high-performing, geographically dispersed Strategic Relations team

About You

You are a highly effective relationship-builder, strategic thinker and trusted adviser who understands how government works and how to navigate complex and dynamic stakeholder environments.

You know that strong government relations is about more than having a network. You build genuine, long-term relationships, understand what matters to decision-makers, work collaboratively across teams and connect SSI's priorities with opportunities to create shared value.

Just as importantly, you are a natural collaborator. You understand that influence is a team effort and take pride in helping others succeed, working closely with peers to deliver results.

• Extensive experience in government relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement or strategic partnerships, with a strong understanding of government, parliamentary and policy processes
• Demonstrated success building trusted relationships with and influencing senior government decision-makers, supported by strong established government networks, especially in Queensland
• Sound political judgement, with the ability to interpret developments, anticipate opportunities and risks, and translate insights into effective government and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Exceptional communication, relationship management and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across complex organisations to coordinate strategic stakeholder engagement
• Leadership experience with a track record of developing capability and fostering high-performing teams
• A passion for social impact and creating equitable outcomes for diverse communities.

Why Join SSI?

Join an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and creating opportunities for people and communities to reach their full potential. You'll have the opportunity to influence sector reform, shape future service models and lead programs that make a lasting difference in the lives of children, young people and families.

We offer:

• A purpose-driven organisation focused on social impact
• A collaborative and values-led culture
• Salary packaging benefits to increase your take-home pay
• A chance to work with passionate leaders who are committed to equity, inclusion and community impact.

About our Recruitment Process

SSI Group is strongly committed to actively safeguarding children and young people and providing a safe environment for them to thrive. We ensure children and young people’s safety, and wellbeing is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of everyone at SSI, whether they interact directly or indirectly with children and young people. All employees will undergo a National Police Clearance and a Working with Children Check as a condition of employment. All staff who work on, support, or manage Queensland child-related work must hold a Blue Card, even if they are not based in Queensland.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

SSI Group is strongly committed to actively safeguarding children and young people and providing a safe environment for them to thrive.

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people are embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of everyone at SSI, whether they interact directly or indirectly with children and young people.

Candidates progressing to relevant opportunities may be required to undertake applicable pre-employment screening checks, which may include a National Police Clearance and Working with Children Check, as a condition of employment.

All staff who work on, support or manage Queensland child-related work must hold a Blue Card, even if they are not based in Queensland.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

SSI strives to be an inclusive workplace for all people. We recognise that we operate in diverse communities and welcome and encourage applications from people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability.

SSI is disability-inclusive and committed to ensuring an equitable and accessible application process for all candidates. We encourage applications from people of all abilities.

Our Talent Acquisition team can provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support candidates to participate fully and equitably.