Director of Advocacy

About UsMinderoo Foundation takes on tough, persistent issues with the potential to drive massive change. We incubate ideas, advocate for systems change and accelerate impact. We push the limits of what is believed possible.Minderoo Foundation is proudly Australian, independent, forward thinking and seeks effective, scalable solutions. Through bold, collaborative and selfless action, we seek to dismantle the systems that entrench inequality and advocate for a fairer future.Minderoo’s Advocacy & Engagement team enables Minderoo to strategically support, defend or advocate for its causes, appropriately influencing decisions across political, economic, community, and social institutions. Targeted advocacy, engagement with key stakeholders, including policymakers and government agencies, and strategic communications are crucial for advancing our strategic goals. The 2030 Strategy also places a heightened focus on the role of Advocacy & Engagement in building the capacity of our partners and the broader for-purpose sector, to accelerate impact.About the OpportunityMinderoo Foundation is seeking a Director of Advocacy to lead and coordinate a cohesive, organisation-wide advocacy approach that maximises intersectionality, thematic alignment, and cross-cutting impact. This senior role requires an accomplished campaigner with deep expertise in advocacy strategy and execution, alongside strong leadership and operational capability.Reporting to the Executive Director, Advocacy & Engagement—and advising the CEO and Executive Leadership Team—you will drive systems-level advocacy across Minderoo’s core Focus Areas and Enabling functions, contributing directly to our mission for a fairer future.Given the breadth of the portfolio, the role demands a flexible, agile leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is motivated by work of significant purpose and impact.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and implement advocacy strategies in partnership with Advocacy & Engagement teams, aligned to Minderoo’s organisational objectives.Lead, manage, and develop team members to advance Minderoo’s advocacy agenda.Collaborate with internal teams, subject matter experts, and partners to ensure robust insight and advice informs advocacy strategies and campaigns.Provide timely, targeted advice on emerging advocacy opportunities, risks, and challenges.Establish an effective operating model to prioritise high-value strategic advocacy while maintaining surge capacity for emerging needs.Support the Executive Director with strategy development, document review, internal processes, and approvals.About YouYou bring strong strategic agility, analytical capability, and sound judgement, with the ability to balance disciplined execution with responsiveness to evolving opportunities. You have extensive senior-level experience in strategy, project management, and program development, and demonstrate strong risk awareness and mitigation skills.You will also bring:A relevant degree plus 10+ years’ experience in advocacy, campaigns, external affairs, government and policy advocacy, politics, communications, or related fields.Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience engaging Ministers, senior executives, and policy makers.A proven track record of driving improved outcomes and delivering social and environmental systems change.Proficiency in stakeholder mapping and commissioning research to inform advocacy approaches.Experience developing messaging, planning campaigns, and managing budgets.Familiarity with communications, finance, and project management tools such as Teams and SharePoint.BenefitsFlexible working optionsAttractive parental leave Career development opportunitiesNext StepsPlease attach your resume and a cover letter explaining why you interested in this opportunity.Applications close: Friday 12 December 2025Please note we reserve the right to extend closing date and/or close applications early should a suitable candidate be identified.Please refer to our Privacy Policy for further information.Minderoo Foundation embraces Equal Opportunity and promotes diversity. We actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.