Policy Advisor

Join our influential national team helping drive meaningful change for Australia’s $420 billion retail sector.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the peak industry body and the leading voice for retail.

We seek an experienced policy and advocacy specialist to lead our work in response to the threats and risks to our sector including workplace safety, retail crime, cyber security, technology advancements and supply chain resilience.

Working closely with members to understand their needs and priorities, you’ll need highly effective collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills to be successful in this role, including strong relationships with government, regulators and agencies.

The ARA actively promotes flexible working for all employees which allows working from home. We will consider applicants from across Australia but Sydney or Melbourne would be preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Research and articulate ARA's position on a range of risks and threats to support development of submissions and briefing papers.
• Contribute to the execution of ARA’s advocacy efforts and campaigns to achieve positive outcomes for the retail sector.
• Support the executive and contribute to discussions with the ARA’s Advisory Committees and Steering Committees.
• Provide secretariat support to ARA’s Advisory Committees.
• Contribute to the development of the ARA’s narrative with government and media.
• Inform and support media management, media releases and responses.
• Compile regular member updates in relation to threats and risks affecting the retail sector.

Criteria:

• Sound understanding of the risks and threats impacting the retail sector.
• Expert stakeholder management skills. Experience with media and/or government highly regarded.
• Ability to manage complex and diverse issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment and manage sensitive information.
• Attention to detail.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with members and other stakeholders as required.
• Capability for strategic thinking and sound professional judgement.
• An understanding of the retail industry environment.

To Apply:

Please submit your CV and a Cover Letter with your responses to the selection criteria.

This role can be based anywhere in Australia but Sydney or Melbourne would be preferred.

Why work for the ARA:

The ARA is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body, representing a $420 billion sector that employs 1.4 million Australians – making retail the largest private sector employer in the country.

As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

The ARA is high-profile voice for change and transformation of this influential sector.

Our leadership initiatives have a powerful economic and social impact, influencing the direction of outcomes within areas such as Career and employment opportunities, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, Sustainability and Innovation.

We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australian South Sea Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQ and culturally diverse candidates to apply.

The ARA actively promotes flexible working arrangements for all employees which allows working from anywhere within Australia. As a truly national association, we have team members working across different states and utilising modern cloud-based platforms to communicate and collaborate with each other.

The ARA’s head office in East Melbourne (VIC) is surrounded by parks, public transport and cafes. The Sydney (NSW) office is located out of a trendy co-working space in the CBD.

Location: Sydney or Melbourne