TheNational Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is seeking an experienced government affairs professional to join our executive team asDirector – Advocacy Strategy. This Canberra based role offers a rare opportunity to join one of the nation’s peak advocacy groups to coordinate high-impact, member-driven advocacy across the full spectrum of agricultural and regional policy.
As part of the NFF executive, alongside the Chief Executive and senior communications, member engagement executives, you will ensure that NFF’s policy agenda is sharply focused, well-timed and aligned to national priorities. The role supports a team of five high-calibre general managers and an eleven-person policy team, ensuring their work is coordinated, consistent, and impactful.
About The Role
This internally focused executive role plays a critical function in ensuring that NFF’s advocacy efforts are backed by strategic clarity, consistent messaging and strong member input. You will manage the organisation-wide policy calendar, coordinate engagement planning across policy portfolios, and work with your team colleagues to maximise the effectiveness of every interaction with the Australian Government.
You’ll also collaborate with counterparts at Australia’s major peak employer groups such as the Business Council of Australia (BCA), the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), and the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), to strengthen the influence of a pro-business agenda.
While direct engagement with parliamentarians and departmental stakeholders is led by the policy general managers, this role plays a vital behind-the-scenes function, ensuring every advocacy effort is strategically timed, well-coordinated, and grounded in strong member input.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the coordination of NFF’s policy agenda across domestic economic policy, trade, workplace relations, farming and regional issues.
* Manage a whole-of-organisation policy engagement calendar, identifying key opportunities for parliamentary, departmental and stakeholder engagement.
* Support consistent messaging across submissions, policy statements, and advocacy materials.
* Work with policy managers on shared or cross-cutting issues, providing guidance and internal alignment.
* Strengthen the clarity, tone and presentation of NFF’s advocacy outputs to maximise their influence with parliamentary and departmental audiences.
* Ensure all policy positions are grounded in robust member consultation and endorsed through NFF’s governance structures.
* Help experienced policy professionals refine their strategic focus, enhance coordination, and deliver their best work.
Required Experience
* Proven experience managing and supporting a high-performing team, with a leadership style that brings out the best in experienced professionals.
* At least fifteen years’ experience in national policy advocacy, ideally within an industry association, government, or complex stakeholder environment.
* Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-portfolio policy development and align advocacy activities across internal teams and external stakeholders.
* A love for cross-team collaboration and a reputation for bringing structure, clarity, and strategic discipline to complex policy challenges.
* An understanding of the dynamics of public policy and federated member-driven organisations, with a talent for managing competing priorities and deadlines.
* A reputation for maintaining strong alignment with organisational goals, ensuring that all advocacy efforts are timely, credible, and member-endorsed.
Why join the NFF?
This is a unique opportunity to play an executive leadership role in one of Australia’s most respected national advocacy organisations. You’ll be instrumental in helping our expert policy team deliver meaningful change on the issues that matter most to our members, Australian farmers and rural communities. You can find out more on our website https://nff.org.au/careers/
To apply or request a candidate pack, contactexecutive@nff.org.au
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