Full Time Continuing position within Sydney Policy Lab Join a highly collegiate team and play a pivotal role in public policy research and development $126,065 Base 17% Superannuation About the opportunity The Senior Project Officer plays a vital role in shaping the strategic engagement and public profile of the Sydney Policy Lab. Working closely with the Lab Director, this role designs and implements engagement strategies that amplify the Lab’s policy influence and public impact. With a strong understanding of policy, media, and government, you’ll ensure the Lab’s work resonates across key audiences, including decision-makers, collaborators, and the broader public. This position offers the opportunity to navigate political nuance, manage media relationships, and help position the Lab’s work in local and national conversations. You’ll also lead the development of high-quality content for digital channels and support the Lab’s events, partnerships, and communications. This is an opportunity to be part of a purpose-driven team working on some of society’s most pressing challenges. Your key responsibilities will be to: work closely with the Director and project teams to develop and implement strategic engagement plans for the Lab and its programs lead the development of creative, accessible, and engaging content across the Lab’s digital and social media platforms identify and act on opportunities to amplify the Lab’s work in political, media, and public contexts, including through briefings, events and digital campaigns provide expert advice to staff and collaborators on media engagement, strategic messaging and navigating political sensitivities manage external contractors and work with internal University teams to deliver high-impact media, design and content outputs ensure the Lab’s engagement activities are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with University policies and standards About you demonstrated experience in public affairs, government relations, or strategic communication within policy, research or political sectors experience producing and managing content across digital platforms, including writing, editing, and coordinating multimedia outputs strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate across diverse audiences, including government, media, advocacy organisations and community leaders ability to translate complex or politically sensitive policy issues into clear and compelling messaging for non-expert audiences experience working in large, complex organisations, preferably within higher education or government excellent organisational skills and proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving media and policy environment. To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus. Work Rights You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. Pre-employment checks Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment. This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012. EEO statement At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. How to apply Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply. For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nicole Cunningham, Recruitment Operations by email to nicole.cunningham@sydney.edu.au or call 0449973799 The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. Click to view the Position Description for this role. Applications Close Wednesday 13 August 2025 11:59 PM