Salary $143,808 - $160,000 (AUD) Excl of superannuation, additional benefits listed below
Team Australian Gas
Seniority Senior
* Closing:11:00pm, 28th Oct 2025 AEDT
Job Description
About Us
The Sunrise Project is a network of passionate changemakers driven by a shared mission to scale social movements that can drive the urgent transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We believe in the power of people to solve the climate crisis, and we work alongside partners around the world to shift the systems — financial, political, and cultural — that are holding back climate action.
Since launching in Australia in 2012, Sunrise has grown into a global network of independent organisations with over 140 staff across 13 countries. We work behind the scenes to support bold strategies, build capacity in the climate movement, and catalyse collective action for impact at speed and scale. Our work is grounded in strong relationships, deep collaboration, and a fierce commitment to justice.
We’re proud of the culture we’ve built — one that centres trust, care, and the belief that how we work matters as much as what we do. We actively strive to reflect our values in how we lead, collaborate, and show up with our partners and each other. You can read about our values here .
About The Role
Australia is one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, and what happens here will shape energy choices across Asia and the world. The Sunrise Project’s Australian Gas Program exists to prevent gas expansion and accelerate the energy transition, working with and resourcing movements — from frontline First Nations communities to grassroots organisers, NGOs, funders, and international allies.
The Gas Program Director plays a critical leadership role in this work. You will set program strategy, manage a senior team, and resource high-impact campaigns. You will build alignment across movements, politics, finance, and international networks to deliver outcomes that prevent new gas projects and drive a just transition.
Success in this role requires more than sharp strategy. It calls for a leader who can foster a collaborative culture — someone who inspires confidence, grows the capacity of others, and builds deep relationships of trust across diverse communities and stakeholders. You will motivate and guide a talented team while also holding space for allies to act boldly together.
This is a role for a bold, creative strategist with strong political judgement, a passion for climate justice, and the ability to navigate complexity with humility and courage. Every win in Australia resonates globally, shifts power away from fossil fuel companies, and helps tip the scales towards a just, liveable future.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Australian Gas Program strategy to prevent gas expansion and drive climate action.
Manage and support a team of senior campaigners, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture.
Oversee program budget and grantmaking portfolio, securing funding and negotiating grants to resource impactful campaigns and organisations.
Build and sustain strong relationships with allies, funders, and organisations across civil society, politics, finance, media, and international networks, representing Sunrise in high-level forums when needed.
Convene and align coalitions to build shared strategy and achieve ambitious outcomes.
Anticipate and manage political, strategic, and legal risks to protect and advance program objectives.
Contribute to organisation-wide strategy, decision-making, and culture as part of Sunrise’s senior leadership.
Required skills, knowledge, and experience
Senior-level experience leading complex strategies or campaigns that delivered real-world outcomes.
Demonstrated success managing and developing high-performing, inclusive teams where people thrive.
Experience overseeing budgets, fundraising, and grant portfolios to drive campaign impact.
Proven ability to convene and align diverse stakeholders, with strong facilitation and communication skills.
Understanding of the Australian gas industry, energy markets, and the political economy of gas exports, or the ability to rapidly develop this expertise.
Sharp political and strategic judgement, with the ability to navigate high-stakes, fast-moving environments with creativity and boldness.
Passion for climate action and a strong commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, including support for First Nations and frontline leadership.
Desired skills, knowledge and experience
Experience using storytelling and narrative development to drive engagement, secure funding, and build support for programs and initiatives
Job requirements
You must have full working rights for Australia. The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.
Employment background checks are required.
Intermittent travel domestically, rurally and internationally with advanced notice may be required.
Flexibility to adjust work hours to accommodate multiple time zones
How Sunrise supports its staff
The Sunrise Project is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. We have the following in place to help us achieve that, noting pro rata will apply for part time staff and/or temporarily appointed staff:
Superannuation 12.5% & Salary Sacrifice for Superannuation
Additional Annual Leave 5 days p.a.
Long Service Leave available after 5 years of service
Birthday Leave 1 day p.a.
Solidarity and Community Leave 1 week p.a
Cultural Leave 4 days p.a (+ floating public holidays)
Gifted Leave (over Christmas and New Year)
Paid Parental Leave of 7.5 mths (inclusive of GPPL) - gender-neutral & inclusive of all family types, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program
Life Leave up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons
Flexible Working Policy
Employee Assistance Program
VIDA - An AI tool to support you working safely remotely
Workspace Benefits incl: A Macbook, initial $2,000 for home workspace and IT equipment + $800 every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet.
Shared office support
Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats
Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings
Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback
A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities
How to apply for this job
We recognize that racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, classism and other forms of discrimination creates structural barriers that impact opportunities to formal education and experience. When assessing candidates we look at more than the jobs you've been paid to do but the range of ways you've picked up skills and knowledge throughout your life. This is why we assess candidates on how well they respond to application questions and don’t require a cover letter.
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