Organisation : Whitlam Institute via People for Purpose
Location : Sydney (Parramatta)
Work type : Full-time
Sector : Research / Medical Research
Salary type : Annual Package
About the organisation
The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University is a dynamic public policy institute that commemorates, and is inspired by, the life and work of the Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC, one of Australia’s most respected Prime Ministers.
It pursues the causes he championed and is guided by the principles upon which Gough Whitlam's parliamentary career and years of service to the people of Australia were founded.
As an independent think-tank the Whitlam Institute is a centre of ideas and engagement, undertaking research and generating policy for community discussion. It is also the custodian of the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection which comprises documents and items that capture the essence of Gough Whitlam’s personality, his government, his public life, and his times. The organisation undertakes education programs to inform young Australians about the importance of personal values and leadership, political and civic engagement, and the role of government.
The Whitlam Institute is housed in the historic Female Orphan School (1813) on the Parramatta Campus of Western Sydney University.
About the role
- Inspire all stakeholders with your vision for the future
- Strategically lead across political and regional boundaries
- Build on a reputation for excellence to leverage positive change
Established as one of Australia’s leading think tanks, the coming year is an important one for the Institute as it celebrates the 50th anniversary since Gough Whitlam was elected as Prime Minister.
The organisation is looking for a Director to lead a small, but dedicated team to continue their path in building a world-class think tank with a national reputation for rigorous analysis, informed and credible research, timely contributions to public debate and influence on policy development and implementation.
Reporting to the board, the Director will be the public face of the organisation, responsible for strategic planning and performance around the Whitlam Institute’s organisational goals and research agenda. They will oversee the management of day-to-day operations, people and resources and will manage critical relationships with funders, government, academia, the media, researchers and other key stakeholders.
The role heads the overall governance, financial management and operation of the organisation and will lead a highly intelligent and motivated team and harness input from broader networks. The Director will be the primary spokesperson for the organisation and will work to ensure the legacy of Gough Whitlam, and his values.
Experience, knowledge & skills
To be successful in this role, you will be/have:
- Senior executive experience, with experience in the for-purpose space an advantage.
- Deep experience and sophisticated understanding of, and interest in, the Australian political landscape as well as current local and global trends.
- Well-developed people leadership skills, with demonstrated capacity to engage and empower staff to deliver outcomes on time and budget
- Understanding of governance – experience in working with a board, with a demonstrated ability to develop and execute on strategy.
- An exceptional communicator; strong, authentic and confident. Able to engage range of sophisticated stakeholders on complex issues via a variety of forums.
- Experience in financial oversight and management to ensure short term financial health and long-term sustainability.
- A track record in stakeholder management including government, academia, media etc.
- A post-graduate qualifications in a field relevant to public policy research desirable.
How to apply
Applications not allowed for this job listing.
Please quote in application: Director via Pro Bono Australia.
Sector: #ResearchMedical_Research
