· Dynamic role with a national peak industry organisation, based in Canberra

· Strategic advocacy and government relations responsibilities

· Intersection between science and technology, agriculture and public policy

· $185,000 per year + superannuation The Deputy Director of Government Relations is a new senior position created to expand CropLife Australia’s capacity in government relations, with a particular focus on strengthening the organisation’s engagement with state and territory governments.

CropLife Australia is the national peak industry organisation representing the Australian plant science sector (chemical crop protection products and agricultural biotechnologies). CropLife leads efforts to ensure an independent science based, efficient and effective regulatory environment that supports innovation and facilitates access by the nation’s farming sector to high-quality products from the plant science industry. The organisation works to advance sustainable agriculture by fostering the responsible use of industry products, and works to advance sustainable agriculture by fostering the responsible use of industry products.

Reporting to, and deputising for, the Director of Government and Strategic Relations, the position leads and coordinates CropLife’s government relations activity across all levels of government. It carries dedicated responsibility for driving CropLife’s advocacy on state and territory matters; including control-of-use regulation, state regulation and moratoria on GM crops, and other jurisdiction-specific policy affecting the plant science industry,



where much of the regulation of crop protection and plant biotechnology products is administered.

The Deputy Director supervises the Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager and leads the government relations team to deliver advocacy strategies, stakeholder engagement and issues management that support good public policy and regulation for the plant science industry, in line with CropLife’s strategic operations plan.

We are seeking to appoint a skilled, experienced and highly motivated professional to effectively work with member companies and key stakeholders to develop and advocate for policies, regulations and programs on behalf of the crop protection product industry.

Skills/Selection Criteria To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate an effective track record or capability in at least some of the following key competencies:

- Substantial experience in government relations, policy advocacy or public affairs, including demonstrated experience engaging state and territory governments.
- Strong understanding of the Australian political system at Federal, state and territory, and local government levels, including how regulation of the agricultural and plant science sector is divided across jurisdictions (for example,



Federal registration through the APVMA and state and territory control-of-use and GM regulation).
- Demonstrated leadership and people-management experience, with the ability to supervise, develop and get the best from a small team.
- Advanced writing and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesise complex information, present it simply and deliver as a public spokesperson.
- Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, issues management and advocacy campaigns.
- Excellent strategic thinking, research, project management and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to build relationships and to advise, influence and coach at senior levels.
- Capacity to think innovatively, adapt and work well under pressure, with a high level of crisis tolerance.
- Well organised, able to multi-task and manage multiple competing priorities in a quick-paced organisation.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications.

This role requires regular domestic travel, including to state and territory capitals, and may require occasional international travel.

Your application, marked in confidence and including a succinct cover letter outlining your experience, skills and qualifications, together with a full CV, should be submitted by 5pm Tuesday 22 September 2026 to:

Mr Matthew Cossey

Chief Executive Officer and sent via email to the CEO’s EA at:

[email protected]

Further information on CropLife and a position description is available at www.croplife.org.au

📌 Deputy Director of Government Relations (Canberra)
🏢 CropLife Australia
📍 Canberra