Are you an experienced advocacy and policy professional looking for a meaningful role in a respected, non-profit organisation?

Ready to bring your skills and expertise to the organisation that's inspiring, connecting and transforming the Australian water sector?

Here's an prospect to use your government relations experience and policy knowledge to help build a national advocacy function to support the thriving, critical sector that underpins Australia's prosperity, resilience and liveability.

Heart Talent is delighted to partner with the Australian Water Association - the peak body for Australia's water sector - to find the newest member of their growing advocacy and capability team.

Powered by their vision for a sustainable water future, AWA is evolving from a connector of water professionals into a catalyst for system-wide change - and advocacy sits at the heart of how that change will happen.

With a new advocacy plan and a roadmap through to 2030, there's real momentum behind growing AWA's voice with government, making this an exciting time to join the organisation.

WHAT'S ON OFFER

- permanent, full time role

- Chatswood office

- hybrid working - 3 days in office/2 days WFH

- salary packaging and novated leasing options

- respected brand in a thriving sector

- a newly created role with real scope to shape it

- investment in advocacy, capability and sector-level impact

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This role is about strengthening the policy and advocacy agenda and ensuring AWA is a credible, evidence-based and influential voice on the issues shaping the future of Australia's water sector.

As part of a small high-performing team, you'll turn member insight into influence, building relationships with government and leading the development of policy positions and initiatives that support AWA's advocacy and impact priorities.

Working with a Board-approved advocacy plan and activity roadmap, you'll bring together technical expertise, industry intelligence,



member insights and diverse perspectives to influence public policy and sector-wide outcomes.

This role will see you:

- lead the development, implementation and ongoing review of AWA's policy agenda

- identify opportunities to influence policy outcomes and lead priority reforms

- translate policy priorities into targeted campaigns, submissions and engagement activities

- undertake policy research, scanning and regulatory analysis to identify emerging risks, opportunities and trends

- produce high-quality submissions, white papers, position statements, executive briefings and thought leadership

- build relationships with government agencies, regulators, ministers' offices, industry bodies and research organisations

- represent AWA in consultations and forums

- facilitate engagement sessions with members and specialist networks

- establish and maintain governance frameworks for policy development

- monitor and refine advocacy strategies based on outcomes and stakeholder feedback

- provide mentorship to the Policy and Advocacy Officer.

ABOUT YOU

You're an experienced policy and advocacy professional with water policy knowledge gained from government, policy consulting and/or working in a water or utilities business.

You're commercially and politically astute and comfortable navigating state and/or Commonwealth processes and building relationships with agencies, regulators and Ministers' offices.

You're a confident, clear communicator who can translate technical detail, research and member insight into clear, evidence-based submissions, briefings and position papers.

You're comfortable operating in a lean, fast-moving team.

You'll enjoy balancing policy work with hands-on member engagement - facilitating sessions, building relationships and extracting insight from the field.

You're motivated by doing work that matters in a purpose-driven organisation, and keen to mentor a talented, early-career colleague as part of a small, high-performing team.

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📌 Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer (New South Wales)
🏢 Heart Talent
📍 New South Wales