JOB TITLE: Policy & Planning Lead

REPORTS TO: People & Operations Manager

LOCATION: 60 Leicester St, Carlton (some work from home possible/ versatile working arrangements available)

SALARY: $81,513 to $92,622 per annum (pro-rated for part time) plus superannuation and generous leave conditions

WHO WE ARE

Environment Victoria (EV) is building a movement of people across Victoria to create a just society living in harmony with a healthy environment. We are one of Australia’s leading not-for-profit environment groups, with a history of running strategic, people-powered, campaigns that win just solutions to the biggest environmental problems of the day.

Our team of around 30 staff and hundreds of volunteers is nimble, creative and fun. We strive for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our work and are committed to building, and supporting, a team that mirrors the rich diversity of the Victorian community in which we work.

THE ROLE The Policy & Planning Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating organisational policy development, strategic planning, governance, performance monitoring and government relations activities across Environment Victoria.

The role provides high-level strategic coordination and advice to the CEO, senior leadership team and Board, ensuring organisational policies, strategic priorities and annual plans are effectively developed, implemented, monitored and reviewed.

The position works across the organisation to coordinate policy and planning processes, establish appropriate accountability and evaluation measures, monitor governance, legislative and regulatory developments, and support effective engagement with government and other senior external stakeholders.

The role requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic judgement, stakeholder engagement and organisational coordination. It works closely with senior managers, campaigners, policy experts and the CEO to support the development and delivery of organisational priorities.

The position reports to the People & Operations Manager, with a close working relationship and dotted-line reporting relationship to the CEO in relation to organisational planning, policy, governance and strategic priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Development and Oversight

- Lead and coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring and review of organisational policies and procedures.
- Oversee the organisation's policy architecture, review cycle and policy register, ensuring policies remain current, accessible and aligned with organisational priorities.
- Undertake and coordinate policy research, analysis and development, including reviewing existing policies and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Provide high-level advice and recommendations to the CEO, senior leadership and relevant governance bodies on policy matters, implementation issues and emerging risks.
- Coordinate the communication and implementation of approved policies across the organisation.

Planning & Strategy Development

- Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the organisation’s long-term strategic plan, including coordinating research, consultation, planning workshops and internal communications.
- Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the Annual Plan, ensuring alignment with the long-term strategic plan and clear accountability for key results and resourcing.
- Establish and coordinate appropriate monitoring, evaluation and accountability measures in consultation with senior staff.
- Monitor progress against organisational plans and priorities, identifying dependencies, barriers and areas requiring further strategic attention.

Government Relations

- Coordinate campaigners’ government relations activities, ensuring engagement with key political stakeholders is appropriately scheduled, coordinated, recorded and followed up.




- Maintain an accurate record of key political relationships, engagement across the organisation, policy positions and relevant parliamentary developments.
- Monitor government, legislative and public policy developments and identify matters relevant to Environment Victoria’s work and organisational priorities.
- Coordinate the preparation and distribution of policy briefs and other briefing materials for political and government stakeholders.
- Provide project management and coordination support to campaigns and policy initiatives to support timely delivery and effective communication across teams.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

- Establish and monitor performance, evaluation and accountability measures across organisational plans and priorities.
- Oversee the preparation and distribution of quarterly reports, including accurate and consistent assessment of progress towards annual objectives.
- Review organisational performance information and identify matters requiring action, review or strategic attention.
- Coordinate the preparation and publication of the organisation’s annual report.

Governance, Risk Management & Compliance

- Develop and monitor Environment Victoria’s risk management policy and framework on behalf of the CEO.
- Support the Board in maintaining effective governance through coordination of the Board’s work plan, meeting cycles and compliance with the Rules of the Association.
- Oversee the Membership Application process on behalf of the CEO and coordinate applications through to approval by the Governance Committee.
- Monitor relevant legislative, regulatory and policy developments and ensure the Governance Committee is aware of potential implications.
- Coordinate governance-related processes and provide appropriate administrative and logistical support to the Board and subcommittees, including AGM and insurance-related arrangements.

Strategic Executive and Governance Support

- Prepare and coordinate strategic and governance materials for all-staff, Board, Management Team, CEO-chaired and other relevant meetings, including agendas, papers and reports.
- Provide executive business support to the CEO in relation to organisational planning, policy, governance and priority initiatives.
- Track and follow up actions arising from meetings and strategic initiatives to support timely delivery.
- Collaborate with Senior Managers and other staff to coordinate priority organisational initiatives and maintain effective communication and information flow.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

- Values & Purpose alignment: ability to demonstrate and authentically promote Environment Victoria’s purpose and values.
- Stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills: strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Strong experience liaising with senior external stakeholders. Confidence in upholding a high degree of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive information that the CEO interacts with. Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
- High level planning skills: Experience in project administration for complex projects, and confidence in articulating, scheduling and following up work tasks and identifying dependencies and barriers.
- Government Relations and public policy experience: Strong understanding of how parliamentary offices and politics operates, with experience in building relationships with politicians and staffers.



Strong understanding of how public policy is developed.
- Prioritisation and organisational skills: Excellent organisational skills with timeline management, strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple delegated tasks at one time and work to deadlines.
- Excellent verbal and written communication: High-level executive communication skills demonstrated in written and verbal communication, with demonstrated experience independently leading communication tasks.
- Demonstrated initiative and problem solving: An openness to doing things differently, thinking innovatively, with experience of supporting innovative ways of working, and seeking continuous improvement in operating approaches.

Desirable

- Tertiary qualifications in Law, Public Administration, Business or a related field
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Government Relations, Policy, Project Administration role or in senior business support.
- Experience working in a campaigning organisation, in politics or in government.

THE BENEFITS OF WORKING AT WORKPLACE VICTORIA

We believe in the power of people to make a meaningful impact across the state. We are proud of our team culture and work with intention to foster a workplace grounded in our core values of love, justice, courage, innovation and impact.

Environment Victoria Enterprise Agreement also offers excellent conditions, including:

- Annual automatic wage increases and a competitive pay scale that allows people to progress annually within their pay range.
- 5 weeks pro rata annual leave. With additional gratis leave days for Easter Tuesday, Melbourne cup Monday and the days between Christmas and New Year.
- Rider-friendly office facilities, such as showers and secure bike storage
- Subsidized car sharing for personal use.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program, which includes counselling, financial advice, and managerial support.
- Leave policies to cater to a variety of diverse needs, including (but not limited to):

o Paid overtime at 1.5x for additional directed hours o One day additional leave per year for house moving o Paid parental leave increasing from 18 weeks to 22 weeks by 2027, including support for both birthing and non-birthing parents, and accessible from 6 months of service.

o 12 days of leave for menstrual and menopause-related needs.

o 10 days of leave for First People’s Cultural Leave, for Sorry Business or observing other cultural events, occasions or ceremonies.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS The position is a maximum-term position both due to funding and the desire to trial the need for and impact of the role (which is new at Environment Victoria). At the conclusion of the maximum term, and depending on funding, the organisation will review whether the role should become permanent. The role is largely office-based to ensure ready availability to both the CEO and other stakeholders, however some work-from-home arrangements can be accommodated.

This position is classified as EV3. The commencing pay point will be determined by the successful candidate’s number of years of relevant experience, as defined in the Environment Victoria Enterprise Agreement.

- Workplace Victoria is an equal opportunity employer
- Environment Victoria staff are required to operate in a manner consistent with organisational policies
- After hours and weekend work will be required on occasion and is covered by flexi time and time-off-in-lieu provisions
- Applicants must have the right to work in Australia, including a valid, appropriate, visa where applicable

REPORTING The successful applicant will report to the People & Operations Manager, but will have a dotted-line reporting relationship to the CEO, who they will largely be supporting with strategic planning, reporting and government relations.

Pay: $81,513.00 – $92,622.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Policy & Planning Lead (Carlton)
🏢 Environment Victoria
📍 Carlton