Policy Director

Policy Director

locations

Melbourne

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted Today

job requisition id

JR47337

Overview:

Full-time 13 month Fixed Term Contract

Salary Academic Level HEW 9 + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements

Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, and hybrid ways of working

About The Role

Australian Technology Network (ATN) Universities is seeking a Policy Director on a fixed term 13-month contract. The Policy Director will lead the ATN Policy Unit, managing the ATN’s critically important, innovative, and forward-thinking policy development and analysis activities.

The role will work to shape the national debate and actively influence higher education and related economic policy reform, along with contributing to skills and research system improvements.

The Policy Director will be an important voice for Australia’s most “hands on” network of universities, demonstrating our policy clout and delivering detailed and informed insight. They will ensure the ATN has an active role in the development of policies which impact our member universities and their interests.

They will identify and promote the policy links that enable the ATN universities to enhance Australia’s standing as a forward-thinking, globally engaged nation. As an active and influential policy expert, they will ensure the ATN’s advocacy pillars of: Productivity, Resilience and Fairness are supported by the highest quality evidence and research rigor.

The Policy Director will be a dynamic, innovative, and future-focused leader, with a deep passion for higher education and research, and demonstrated deep policy expertise in this space. They will infuse the ATN’s advocacy agenda with sectoral leading analysis and strategies to ensure ATN builds on its already established reputation as a professional and highly effective peak body with member universities, policy makers, innovators, stakeholders, key alliances, and partners.

They will ensure the ATN’s voice is consistently heard through strategic engagement and relationship management across our member universities, relevant Australian Government ministerial offices, government agencies and industry peaks.

As a member of the ATN Senior Management team, the Policy Director will lead the full ATN Policy Portfolio, including but not limited to the ATN’s policy development, analysis and advocacy pillars in higher education, applied research and international education. They will champion ATN-wide data sharing initiatives, inform ATN education and research strategies, and contribute policy advice as required to other ATN portfolios

As the Policy Director you will support the ATN Deputy Director, Executive Director, Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Grad Deans, other senior executives, and committees, to navigate and influence an increasingly complex policy environment in Australia. The role will also scope, develop and refine policy advocacy strategies to ensure ATN continues to be a trusted contributor to higher education, economic and related policy settings more generally.

What You Will Do

Provide effective leadership and direction to the ATN Policy Unit, responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to advance the ATN’s policy agenda and competitive advantage both domestically and internationally.

Manage the shaping and implementation of key strategic activities, including but not limited to the ATN’s policy development, analysis and advocacy pillars in higher education, applied research and international education, the ATN’s data sharing initiative, and the ATN’ academic and research strategies.

Cultivate and nurture relationships with internal and external stakeholders including with ATN Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, university executives, ministers, and government bodies involved in higher education and research to secure their engagement and ensure effective interface on policy, planning and implementation.

Design, lead and deliver ATN’s thought leadership to advance the policy agenda on a multitude of issues affecting higher education and research – evidence-based policy and advocacy tools, including original ATN-led reports, fact sheets, one-pagers and other materials that help drive ATN’s advocacy agenda and amplify the voice of member universities and ATN partners.

Track relevant bills and parliamentary inquiries

Research and prepare high-quality and timely written advice for our ATN senior executives, in the form of reports, briefs, policy discussion papers, and circulars to inform, respond to requests, and initiate consideration of new policy initiatives.

About You

We are seeking a proven senior policy advisor who is able to translate and simplify complex information into policy papers, agendas and strategy for senior executives. Proven agility with the ability to quickly analysis information and switch between complex projects.

To Be Successful In This Position, You’ll Have

Relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent combination of education, knowledge, skills and demonstrated experience at an appropriate level.

A deep understanding of the current domestic and global higher education and related policy environment, including those relevant to the distinctive profile of the ATN and its member universities.

Demonstrated flexibility, initiative and the ability to operate strategically within a busy and complex environment, to deal effectively with competing demands and to produce high quality responses within limited timeframes.

Demonstrated expertise in providing high-level policy advisory services that contribute to achieving organisational strategic goals, delivered with tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.

Proven extensive experience in the effective synthesis and analysis of relevant information and data, including the evaluation of research outcomes and recommendations.

Highly developed interpersonal, oral communication, facilitation and negotiation skills, including the demonstrated ability to interact with people at all levels, both internal and external to the organisation.

Exceptional writing skills including experience with developing data and poly analysis, media materials, opinion pieces, reports, submissions, speeches, discussion papers, and strategic plans.

Proven ability to develop strong networks across higher education, industry, and government agencies.

Ability to lead and ensure delivery of projects in a dynamic and collaborative cross-functional team environment, with minimum of 5 years of program management experience.

Management, policy, or consultancy experience in an area relevant to research and/or tertiary education policy.

Experience in a senior role in an industry peak body, Ministerial office, or advocacy-based organisation.

Relevant qualification/s or equivalent combination of education, knowledge and skills.

Some out of hours work may be required along with Interstate and international travel maybe required.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.

About the Group

Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) is a national Australian higher education peak body, with a membership of five universities across Australia. ATN has a strong presence both nationally and internationally and in key metropolitan and regional media markets. Established in 1999, ATN undertakes policy, advocacy, public affairs and national media work to benefit the shared interest of our membership of world-class Australian universities, the higher education sector and society more broadly.

ATN member universities are Curtin University, Deakin University, RMIT University, The University of Newcastle, and University of Technology Sydney.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.

For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Jessica Hood via email jessica.hood@rmit.edu.au.

Position Description

#LI-Hybrid

Applications Close:

7 May 2026 11.59 pm