Associate Director - Public Affairs

We're looking for an outstanding person to join our Sydney team.

GRACosway is the leading Public Affairs and strategic communications advisory firm in Australia and New Zealand. We provide expert advice to private and public sector clients with complex, sensitive government relations and communications challenges. Our multi-disciplinary team of senior consultants offer expertise in public policy and regulation; strategic government engagement; issues and reputation management; transaction communications; investor relations; and media training.

Working as part of our Public Affairs practice, you will work on a mix of political, policy and regulatory issues to support our clients navigate tricky issues.

Key responsibilities

An Associate Director brings strategic thinking, insight and judgement to our diverse range of blue-chip clients, drawing on a background that may include politics, policy, law, journalism or business. This is a mid-career role that looks after a small team of early career staff across our policy and research function, in addition to managing a portfolio of clients.

Key responsibilities include:

• Bringing insight, judgement and strategic thinking to help address client challenges.
• Managing a portfolio of clients and providing strategic advice on public policy and political issues across a variety of industry sectors.
• Helping manage the development and implementation of government relations strategies for clients.
• Managing the overall human resources function of our early career policy and research team, including conducting monthly check-ins, annual performance reviews and professional development support and recruitment.
• Proactively building and maintaining networks and relationships across government departments, regulators, policymakers, industry bodies and political stakeholder groups.
• Working with colleagues to identify and progress new business opportunities.
• Preparing and developing submissions, presentations, and reports on public policy issues for clients.

About you

GRACosway's staff come from different professional backgrounds and offer a mix of skills and strengths. Our ideal candidate for this role will have 5-10 years' professional experience, including:

• Contemporary experience working with current governments.
• A background in government, politics, an industry body or consulting firm.
• A strong client service ethic and a commitment to professionalism in all activities.
• Previous people management experience and the ability to provide professional development support to early career team members.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability and a flair for strategic thinking.
• A passion for politics and/or public policy.
• Ability to manage and lead projects, as well as being a strong team player.

GRACosway is part of the Clemenger Group, Australasia's largest marketing and communications company.

Clemenger Group and GRACosway supports an inclusive workplace and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Further information about our firm can be found at gracosway.com.au