Policy Director: Roads, Transport and Community Infrastructure

ACT Executive Permanent(Full Time)

Influence national policy and funding for local government. Join ALGA to shape roads, transport and infrastructure across Australia.

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- Drive policy with national impact.
- Influence infrastructure funding priorities.
- Be the voice of 538 councils.

Policy Director: Roads, Transport and Community Infrastructure

Australian Local Government Association | National policy influence | Roads, transport and infrastructure

The Australian Local Government Association is seeking a highly capable, curious and strategically minded Policy Director: Roads, Transport and Community Infrastructure to help shape national policy and funding outcomes for local government.

ALGA is the national advocacy body for local government, representing 538 councils through state and territory local government associations. Its mission is to achieve outcomes and funding for local government through advocacy with impact, maximising the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of councils and their communities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Policy, this senior role will lead ALGA's policy work across the roads, transport and community infrastructure portfolio. As part of a close-knit national policy team, you will develop evidence-based policy positions, prepare high-quality submissions and briefings, and provide advice to the ALGA Executive and, through them, the Board.

This is an opportunity for a strong policy professional who is genuinely interested in the practical issues facing councils across roads, transport and infrastructure. You will be curious, and grounded in the realities of local government delivery. This is not a "think tank only" role. It requires someone who can engage in technical and policy discussions while always keeping the local government lens front and centre.





The successful candidate will know their portfolio deeply and understand where the best points of influence sit. You will be able to scan the horizon, identify emerging issues and opportunities, and translate Board-agreed policy goals into advocacy advancement.

Key areas of focus will include:

- Developing evidence-based national policy positions in partnership with state and territory local government associations.
- Preparing high-quality briefings, background papers, submissions and policy advice for ALGA's Executive, President and Board.
- Providing policy briefs ahead of Ministerial meetings and supporting ALGA's engagement with Ministers, departments and senior officials.
- Representing ALGA in senior official committees, working groups and stakeholder forums.
- Building strong relationships with government departments, member associations, aligned peak bodies and stakeholders across the roads, transport and infrastructure landscape.
- Identifying opportunities to connect policy work with advocacy, communications and broader organisational priorities.
- Leading the development of the program for ALGA's annual Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress, including identifying key emerging themes, issues and speakers.

This role requires a strategic thinker who can manage the "big puzzle pieces" without getting lost in the detail. You will be able to work across complex policy issues, move quickly when needed, and provide practical, accurate and timely advice in a fast-moving environment.

You will be a natural bridge builder who can work collaboratively across the ALGA policy team,



recognising where issues overlap with other policy portfolios and ensuring that local government's broader challenges are well understood. You will bring an open, collaborative communication style and the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders while remaining connected to the needs and experiences of councils on the ground.

The role is outward facing and provides a genuine platform to influence national policy. Through departmental engagement, member consultation, Ministerial meetings, policy submissions and the Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress, you will help ensure councils have a robust and practical voice in national conversations about infrastructure, transport connectivity, funding and community outcomes.

Candidates with experience in public policy, government, peak bodies, infrastructure, transport, planning, engineering, economics, local government or related fields will be well regarded. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant public policy, engineering, planning, legal or economic discipline will also be highly regarded.

While the role may suit candidates from a range of backgrounds, ALGA is seeking someone who brings strong policy capability, sound judgement, intellectual curiosity, excellent writing skills and the ability to influence through relationships, evidence and practical insight. Canberra-based candidates will be strongly regarded, given the importance of regular engagement with Commonwealth departments, stakeholders and Ministerial processes.

This is a rare opportunity to influence national policy settings for roads, transport and community infrastructure, while representing the practical needs and priorities of local government across Australia.

For any queries or to have a confidential conversation, please contact Fiona Bain on 0404 204 372.

Applications close: - Sunday 16 th August 2026

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📌 Policy Director: Roads, Transport and Community Infrastructure (Canberra)
🏢 Wellington Shire Council
📍 Canberra