Job Vacancies

Head of Rural and Regional Engagement

Position Description 

Reports to: CEO

Location: NSW or Queensland, with regular travel in both states

Hours: Full time

Environmental Leadership Australia (ELA) works to build climate leadership outside of traditional environmental organisations. We help increase rural and regional Australia’s understanding of climate change and its impacts, and broaden support for climate action and clean energy, done well. This senior position will increase support for climate solutions such as a well managed rollout of renewable energy, in rural and regional Australia. The role will build on ELA’s existing successful partnerships with rural organisations and leaders. 

Working primarily across rural and regional NSW and Queensland, the Head of Rural and Regional Engagement will develop strong relationships on the ground in communities where communities are feeling the impacts of climate change, and renewable energy is being built.

You have strong networks in regional communities and work with local leaders to understand issues and uncover opportunities to build support for renewable energy projects when done in ways that deliver a lasting positive legacy for communities.

You will join a tight-knit team of 15 with expertise in community engagement, government relations, policy, communications and media. The role involves travel on average once every month in regional NSW and Queensland, and occasionally to Sydney and Canberra.

Core competencies 

  1. Building and managing relationships. Connecting with people comes naturally to you, and you have a track record of making and keeping relationships with all kinds of people and organisations. You understand that getting things done requires finding common ground, deep listening, patience, empathy and respect. 

  2. Initiative and drive. You’re a go-getter who is comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy rather than waiting for someone to tell you what to do. You pick up the phone rather than wait for an email. You’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner or collaborate with other organisations, have a can-do attitude and know how to make things happen.

  3. Public speaking. You’re not afraid of a crowd and have experience confidently communicating with large groups. You know how to hold a room, hone your message and adapt your tone and delivery for different audiences and situations.

  4. Judgement. You can deal with complexity and ambiguity. You can hold a number of ideas in your head and wade through complicated terrain without losing your bearings. You’re able to listen to many different sides of an argument. You know that the most straightforward answer is unlikely to be the right one - and you’re okay with that. You know how to choose the right words for the situation, when to step up and when to sit back and let others take the lead.

  5. Facilitation. You know how to ‘hold’ a group with different perspectives through difficult and challenging conversations. You’re experienced in guiding group conversations, drawing out contributions from all participants to create transformative dialogue, helping groups move forward with clarity and purpose. 

  6. Strategic thinking. You are able to identify and take advantage of strategic opportunities as they arise, while laying the groundwork for longer-term objectives.

  7. Adaptability. You’re comfortable keeping up in a dynamic environment where unexpected curveballs lead to plans changing quickly. You are personally comfortable with change. 

  8. Persuasiveness. You are comfortable making requests of people and confident in developing others’ leadership. You have high emotional intelligence and empathy and are a skilled influencer.

  9. Management and teamwork skills - You are an experienced manager of small teams working across different locations. You will be the line manager for a team of three, but will work collaboratively with the broader ELA team. 

  10. Genuine passion for rural and regional Australia and addressing climate change.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Understand and stay up to date with the issues related to both climate change impacts on rural and regional Australia, and the rollout of renewable energy in NSW and Queensland. Travel regularly across these areas to meet with key stakeholders and gain first-hand experience. Feed back timely insights to the team and our partners, including emerging opportunities and risks.

  2. Make and maintain strong networks and relationships with key stakeholders who have the potential to influence attitudes on climate change and the roll-out of renewable energy in rural and regional Australia. This will include community leaders, local governments and a wide range of rural organisations.

  3. Keep a calendar of major events, forums and conferences in regional NSW and Queensland where there may be opportunities for constructive conversations. Attend key forums and conferences to deepen understanding of local issues, make connections with local leaders, and contribute to important conversations about the future of regional Australia. Over time you will take a more active role in delivering speeches and contributing to panel discussions at these events.

  4. Work with ELA’s team to design a long term strategy for work in regional NSW and Queensland that makes the most of ELA’s limited time and resources. Continue to refine and improve the work plan as things evolve, while leading its delivery.

  5. Work with partner organisations, and the team to design and deliver transformational experiences, site visits, events and programs that build the capacity of rural and regional leaders to participate in constructive conversations about climate change, clean energy and regional development. 

Benefits include flexible work arrangements, a competitive salary commensurate with experience and being part of a values-driven, collaborative and kind team.

To apply for this role please email your CV and a cover letter to jobs@ela.org.au by Sunday 31st August.