Manager of External Affairs & Advocacy - Remote / Work from Home

The Manager, External Affairs & Advocacy is a senior management role responsible for developing and executing Elder Abuse Action Australia’s national strategy for government relations, public affairs, media relations, communications and community engagement. 

As the national peak body for elder abuse, EAAA requires a strategic and hands-on leader who can influence public policy, strengthen stakeholder relationships, elevate national awareness, and enhance organisational reputation and impact. 

The role is accountable for both the development and application of the work. This includes aligning work with EAAA‘s strategic direction, developing and nurturing relationships with government, media and sector stakeholders, managing public affairs activities, overseeing communications and engagement functions, and personally delivering high-level advocacy, media, stakeholder and strategic communications initiatives. 

The position serves as a key advisor to the EO and Board on policy positioning, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, public affairs and strategic communications matters. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Management 

• Develop and lead EAAA’s integrated external affairs, advocacy and communications strategy aligned with organisational objectives.
• Identify emerging policy, political, stakeholder and media opportunities and risks.
• Provide strategic advice to the EO and Board.
• Ensure government relations, communications, media relations and community engagement activities operate as an integrated function. 
• Set priorities and performance measures.
• Manage consultants and agencies as required.
• Lead, mentor and develop team members.
• Contribute to organisational leadership and strategy. 

Media Relations 

• Develop proactive and reactive media strategies.
• Build relationships with journalists and media stakeholders.
• Support spokesperson activities and prepare media materials.
• Enhance EAAA’s position as the national voice on elder abuse prevention and reform.
• Manage sensitive and crisis communication issues. 

Communications 

• Lead the development and delivery of EAAA’s strategic communications framework
• Develop internal and external communications and marketing campaigns across all relevant channels
• Develop speeches, stakeholder correspondence, campaign content and executive messaging
• Manage brand reputation and digital communications
• Work collaboratively with the Content Manager ensuring communications and content messaging are aligned
• Measure, evaluate and report on the success of marketing and communications efforts
• Continuously improve engagement approaches. 

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Relations 

• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with external government relations, public affairs, media, communications, digital and stakeholder engagement service providers
• Lead and manage the selection, procurement, onboarding and performance management of specialist consultants, agencies and external advisors
• Provide strategic directions to external suppliers to ensure activities align with EAAA's advocacy priorities, reputation objectives and organisational strategy
• Coordinate and integrate the work of external providers with internal communications, advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities
• Evaluate the effectiveness and return on investment of external advisory and consultancy services and recommend improvements where required
• Work collaboratively with external advisors to identify emerging policy, political, media and reputational opportunities and risks
• Oversee the development of strategic advice, stakeholder engagement plans, media strategies, campaign plans and government relations activities delivered by external providers. 

Governance & Risk 

• Ensure compliance with legislative and organisational requirements.
• Identify and manage reputational, political and stakeholder risks.
• Prepare reports for the EO, Executive and Board. 

Key Selection Criteria 

Essential 

• Significant senior leadership experience in government relations, public affairs, advocacy, communications, media relations and / or stakeholder engagement
• Demonstrated success influencing policy and decision-making
• Exceptional strategic thinking, political acumen and stakeholder management skills
• Outstanding communication and leadership capabilities
• Demonstrated experience managing external government relations, public affairs, media, communications or stakeholder engagement agencies and consultants  
• Proven ability to obtain value from external advisory relationships through clear strategic direction, performance management and effective partnership arrangements
• Strategic and operational use of CRM tools. 

Desirable 

• Experience in elder abuse, ageing, family violence, legal assistance, health or social policy sectors
• Experience working in a national peak body, advocacy or policy context 

Key Competencies 

• Increased influence on government policy and reform outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder and media relationships.
• Effective advocacy campaigns delivering measurable impact.
• Enhanced organisational reputation and awareness of elder abuse issues. 

Expectations  

All EAAA employees are required to acquaint themselves with the organisation’s policies and procedures and to abide by them at all times. It is expected that at all times, you will:   

• be respectful towards the organisation, colleagues, clients and the general public  
• be cognisant with and uphold the purpose, vision and values of EAAA  
• act collaboratively with all colleagues  
• be highly organised and take a planned approach to work 
• act in a safe and responsible manner at all times.