Head of Government Relations

The Organisation
  
The Black Dog Institute (BDI) As a global leader in mental health research and the only Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, BDI’s aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. Areas of strength include suicide prevention, digital mental health, workplace mental health, new treatments, and prevention in young people. The unique translational approach allows BDI to quickly turn world-class scientific findings into clinical services, educational programs and e-health products.
   
BDI joins the dots, connecting research answers, expert knowledge and the voices of lived experience to deliver solutions that work across the health care system for patients and practitioners alike. BDI partners with people with lived experience, federal, state and local governments, communities, schools, corporate Australia and the mental health sector to drive evidence-informed change where it’s needed most.
   
Culture and Benefits

• BDI supports the mental health and wellbeing of its staff with a family first, people first culture
• The Ways of Working framework is BDI’s cultural cornerstone defining how the collective achieves the organisational mission, vision, and strategy
• Work-life balance is embedded in the culture - flexible working arrangements are offered
• Hybrid 2 days per week in office
• Salary Packaging: $15,900 of base salary tax free & up to $2,650 meal & entertainment
• Leave benefits including public holiday swap, wellbeing leave, and gifted annual leave 

The Role
  
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs and Enterprise Transformation, the Head of Government Relations is responsible for leading BDI’s government advocacy and engagement function at state and federal level. Critical aspects of the role are to ensure BDI is aware of key funding opportunities, and to ensure that political decision makers are connected to and informed by world-class mental health evidence.
  
Spanning strategic and tactical work, this role will require a collaborative and consultative focus internally at BDI, and externally across the whole mental health sector, including peak bodies and professional colleges. You will play a lead role in developing government briefs, funding proposals, engagement strategies and policy positions and activities, providing advice to BDI’s executive team and board to achieve organisational goals.
  
In this role you will also:

• Represent BDI at relevant meetings and events
• Contribute to process improvement across contact and integrated campaign management
• Leverage existing research, thought leadership, philanthropy and other initiatives for advocacy

Skills Required
  
You currently hold a similar or related position within a health related NFP, peak body or MRI, politics, or a like-minded corporate. Whichever sector you have developed your career, you have acted with the utmost integrity and have a record of evidence-based government advocacy and/or policy influence, including the actual development and implementation of strategies including proposals.
  
You understand the Australian system of government at Federal and State levels and its practical application to regulatory and policy reform. You build strong networks and have highly developed written communication skills, including experience in drafting documents, advocacy and position papers, reports, briefings, and correspondence. Importantly you would bring business acumen to the role.
  
Your qualifications are in public health/policy, politics, or the equivalent relevant experience in advisory or advocacy related roles.

If you want to be part of a high-profile medical research institute driven by people who share a vision of a mentally healthier world then email your cover letter, responding to the skills required above, and CV to cv@ngorecruitment.com quoting #1297461. Alternatively, please phone Kelly Gentle or Richard Green at NGO Recruitment on 02 8243 0570 to have a candidate pack emailed to you.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, if you are interested, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

NGO Recruitment values equitable recruitment practices and is committed to representing candidates reflective of the diverse organisations and communities we work with. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages, and identities, and are happy to adjust our recruitment process to support accessibility needs. If you are interested in this position and have most of the skills or experience we are looking for, please go ahead and apply.