Energy Transition Policy Lead at Centre for Policy Development
CPD is seeking an outstanding Energy Transition Lead. This role will suit someone who is already working on climate and/or energy policy, has their own established networks and ideas, and who is looking to work in an environment where they get to set the agenda.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an organisation helping to shape Australia's energy transition to be effective, inclusive and equitable. For CPD, the goal of a "just transition" means a rapid shift to a low‑carbon economy that strengthens – rather than weakens – communities, workforces, and society.
CPD is working on some of the most critical issues facing our economy and society. Our team enjoys frequent interaction with government policymakers, private sector, media, and the wider policy world. You'll be joining a close‑knit team that delivers real impact.
We believe our people are our key asset and we are committed to recruiting and retaining talented and dedicated individuals. Currently CPD has a presence in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Jakarta. We support flexible work and will consider either full‑time or part‑time work for the right candidate.
Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity
We encourage First Peoples, people of colour, people with lived experience of forced migration, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and people without a family history of tertiary education to apply for this role.
Compensation and Benefits
Starting at $113,000 + 12% superannuation, with higher salary available depending on experience, skills, and fairness and equity across the team.
Location
The role would ideally be based in Canberra, but applications from candidates in Sydney and Melbourne are also welcome.
1. Hybrid work and flexible hours
2. A 4% annual increase to base salary, applied each year on 1 January
3. Additional week of annual leave entitlement after 3 years' employment, and a paid 3‑month sabbatical leave after 5 years' employment
4. Additional end of year leave (between Christmas and New Year), study leave, birthday leave and wellbeing leave for all staff
5. Parental leave: 14 weeks' paid parental leave (after one year of service at the expected due date) + 12 months of unpaid parental leave
6. Floating Public Holidays
7. Collaborative culture that will foster your skills, build your career and broaden your horizons
Key Responsibilities
CPD uses a distinctive Create‑Connect‑Convince method to influence government policy making.
1. Create : Create and champion compelling policy reform ideas and convince the Australian government to adopt an energy transition that is effective, equitable and inclusive.
2. Drive the implementation of CPD's strategy focusing on industrial and energy decarbonisation in Australia, in partnership with the CEO and policy directors.
3. Develop existing and new streams of work, identifying strategic opportunities for positive impact.
4. Connect : Orchestrate and facilitate high‑level discussions (e.g. roundtables, workshops, and meetings) to crystallise policy action with top leaders in Australia.
5. Strengthen and grow influential stakeholder networks in Australia working on energy transition issues.
6. Provide leadership and manage one or two staff members in the team.
7. Actively look for links between CPD's energy transition work in Australia and in Indonesia and make the most of opportunities to collaborate or share lessons.
8. Consider how the work links across CPD's wellbeing, social services and forced migration portfolios and collaborate across teams.
9. Convince : Work with our Communications team in crafting compelling media messaging about CPD's policy recommendations, communicating complex ideas clearly.
10. Represent CPD at public and external events.
11. Support policy directors with fundraising for the focus area.
About You
You'll be the right person for the job if you have the following skills:
* Experience working on policy issues relating to climate change, community transition, industrial decarbonisation, or social justice.
* An existing network of climate policymakers and stakeholders in Australia, and enjoy identifying and engaging new policymakers and stakeholders.
* Excellent political judgement and understanding of how policy is made.
* A natural advocate and strong public communicator.
* Ability to develop your own vision and take initiative in developing projects, methodologies, and ideas, then turning conceptual discussions into concrete actions.
* A proven track record of achieving policy impact by creating practical solutions, connecting relevant stakeholders, and convincing decision‑makers.
* Strong analytical rigour, with an ability to perform and communicate complex analysis clearly.
* Sound judgement working on sensitive topics, often with senior members of other organisations, with the ability to know when to act on your initiative and when to seek advice.
* Ability to work at pace across several projects and teams at once.
* Ability to lead and motivate a small team and work collaboratively with other teams.
About CPD
The Centre for Policy Development (CPD) is an independent, not‑for‑profit policy institute with staff in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Jakarta. Our vision is a fair, sustainable society and wellbeing economy that serves current and future generations in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Our mission is to help create transformative systems change through practical solutions to complex policy challenges. We tackle the hard questions, working towards change that is systemic and long‑term.
Through our work, we aim to contribute to governments that are coordinated, collaborative, and effective, with an eye to both the near and longer term. We strive to build a social services system that helps people and communities to thrive now and in the future, and drive shifts in policy making practice with a focus on wellbeing and sustainability rather than primarily economic growth.
We acknowledge and celebrate Australia's First Peoples.
To learn more about our work check out our latest Impact Report.
How to Apply
Candidates are invited to apply via Google Form by 12pm on 8/12/25.
If you have any questions or issues accessing the form, please contact Luana Viana as soon as possible at
Alternatively, you can submit your application directly via email by sending your CV along with responses to the three questions below to Please include the job title in the subject line: "Energy Transition Lead application":
Question 1: Convince skills
CPD believes there is an opportunity for policy reform – and a political window – to more aggressively develop new green industries in Australia. Propose a plan for CPD to advance a policy agenda. The policy agenda could be something like investment incentives, R&D funding, loan programs (or something else of your choice). For this question, we are most interested in your plan to get your policy agenda adopted.
Our ultimate measure for success is influencing real‑world policy. So include information about how you would test and validate your plan – e.g. how would we know if your plan would lead to policy impact? Who would you talk to? (max. 500 words)
Question 2: Management skills
Tell us about a time when you had to manage a team member or colleague who was struggling – this could be something like performance issues, trouble understanding the nuance of a strategic direction, or a conflict with others. How did you approach the situation, what steps did you take to support your colleague or address the issue, and what was the outcome? (max. 300 words)
Question 3: Subject matter knowledge
Achieving a fast and equitable transition in Australia will require change on almost every front. Are there any policy levers we could pull, or entry points for change in the system, that you think are being completely overlooked? If you could get one novel idea into the headlines, what would it be? (max. 300 words)
How we Shortlist
We will ask you to answer three questions ( < 250 words) as part of your application, and to submit your CV. The initial shortlist will be based on the panel's assessment of your three answers. Your CV will be reviewed only if you progress beyond this first stage.
We are reviewing applications and shortlisting candidates on a rolling basis, so we encourage you apply as soon as possible. If no suitable applicants are shortlisted by the closing date, we may consider extending the deadline.
We welcome talented individuals from all backgrounds to apply and be a part of our mission to make a positive impact on public policies.
We look forward to receiving your application
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