* Join a collaborative, values‑led team making shaping the life of the Uniting Church
* Hybrid work environment, with flexibility to be based across Australia
About the Role
This role leads the Church’s prophetic public witness for justice - translating theology into clear policy positions, advocacy, and action that influence public policy and shape a more just society. You will bring together voices from across the Church to enable shared discernment, inspire collective action, and strengthen our common commitment to justice.
Key Responsibilities
* Actively support and enable the Assembly Strategy 2026-31.
* Deliver strategic initiatives using strong project and change management practices.
* Develop theologically grounded justice policy positions aligned with the Assembly’s principles.
* Facilitate shared discernment to ensure communally shaped policy.
* Advocate to government and decision‑makers with clear, credible positions that influence policy outcomes.
* Respond to emerging social issues and articulate the Church’s stance on key justice priorities (e.g. poverty, climate, First Peoples justice, refugees).
* Lead national advocacy and public statements with integrity and impact.
* Represent the Church in government, media and civil society forums to influence public discourse.
* Partner with Synods and Presbyteries to equip congregations for local justice engagement.
* Develop accessible resources, campaigns and participation pathways to enable meaningful and coordinated engagement across the Church.
* Amplify stories of justice action to inspire and build shared identity.
* Identify and enable strategic collaboration opportunities between the Secretariat and Agencies to amplify shared voice and collective impact.
* Foster a positive, values‑led, interdisciplinary team culture grounded in trust, collaboration and accountability.
* Coach and develop staff to strengthen capability, performance and wellbeing.
* Manage resources strategically, aligning them to priorities and maximising impact.
* Ensure compliance with financial policies and strong governance.
About You
You are a strategic, values‑driven leader with a deep commitment to justice and the mission of the Uniting Church. You bring a blend of policy insight, theological awareness and practical advocacy experience, along with the ability to build strong relationships across diverse communities.
You will bring
* Qualifications in political science, arts, law, theology or related field.
* A minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience (5-10 years’ preferred).
* Demonstrated commitment to the values and ethos of the Uniting Church.
* Proven ability to build strong relationships and partnerships across diverse cultural contexts.
* Experience in strategic communications, with a particular focus on external engagement.
* Demonstrated experience influencing public policy, ideally within the Australian Government context.
* Demonstrated ability to lead campaigns that achieve policy and/or behaviour change.
* Proven leadership experience, including developing teams, building capability, fostering accountability and delivering results.
* Demonstrated experience working in and leading multi-disciplinary teams, integrating diverse expertise to achieve shared outcomes.
* A demonstrated commitment to culturally safe and respectful practice, including faithful engagement in intercultural contexts and honouring relationships between First and Second Peoples.
Why Join Us?
Joining the Assembly is an opportunity to shape the Church’s national voice for justice. You will work alongside committed, values‑driven colleagues who share a deep desire to see faith expressed through courageous public witness and meaningful social change. This role offers the chance to influence national conversations, build partnerships across diverse communities, and help equip the Church to live out its calling with integrity and hope. You’ll be part of a collaborative, purpose‑centred environment where your leadership, creativity and conviction can make a real and lasting impact.
About Uniting Church and the National Assembly
The Uniting Church is one of the largest Christian denominations in Australia. Across the country more than 1,500 congregations worship at a Uniting Church including many congregations that worship in languages other than English. Our churches can be found deep in the heart of our cities, rural towns and regional and extended regions of Australia. The Uniting Church is organised not by a hierarchy, but by groups of people, lay and ordained, meeting together, usually making decisions by consensus, in each area of the Church's life. Alongside this we have a network of community services across 1,600 sites nationwide.
The Assembly is the national council of the Church, led by the President of the Uniting Church, with a General Secretary as chief executive officer. It has three agency. Frontier Services supports our ministry in remote Australia, UnitingCare Australia supports advocacy work of the network of community service agencies of the Church and UnitingWorld which leads our relief and development work, particularly in Asia and the Pacific.
The Assembly leads the national work of the Uniting Church in areas of theology, public advocacy, international and ecumenical relationships, governance and regulations and promoting the mission of the Church. It also works closely with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress as part of our covenant relationship.
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