HEAD OF STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT, GOVERNMENT & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

- Join an organisation that has been proudly recognised and certified as a Great Place to Work for five consecutive years
- Join us at an exciting time of growth in supporting Australian businesses
- Hybrid work environment

THE ORGANISATION Export Finance Australia (EFA) is Australia’s export credit agency. For almost 70 years, Export Finance Australia has helped Australian businesses grow and succeed internationally with finance to secure opportunities, expand into new markets and diversify their presence. We support critical minerals and defence sectors, finance projects that strengthen economic resilience and advance net zero, and back Australian investment in sustainable infrastructure.

Working with banks, other Government agencies and international partners, we back Australia’s exporters, supply chain businesses and industries, contributing to a more stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific while advancing Australia’s trade, investment and economic security objectives.

Due to our continued growth we are seeking to appoint a Head of Strategic Engagement to our high performing Government and International Relations team.

Reporting to the General Manager, Government and International Relations (GIR), the Head of Government and International Relations – Strategic Lead will have oversight of EFA’s engagement with Government and international stakeholders on strategic finance issues as well as EFA’s parliamentary obligations and reporting. You will work closely with General Manager GIR and the Executive to support EFA’s advocacy and accountability across Government Departments, Ministerial Offices and international counterparts to ensure delivery of EFA’s commercial and strategic objectives.

THE ROLE

Location: Sydney / Canberra

Role Type: Full-time, Permanent

- Lead EFA’s strategic engagement across Government on strategic finance issues and delivers coordinated advocacy on matters relating to strategic finance that affect EFA’s mandates and operations.
- Lead coordination of EFA’s parliamentary reporting and obligations.
- Support the GIR team to assist with NIA transactions and policy engagement across other mandates as needed, including critical minerals, defence, international, Strategic Reserve and Future Made in Australia.
- Support enhanced engagement with key likeminded ECA partners and financiers in support of EFA’s commercial and strategic objectives and provide advice and support for the MD&CEO;’s international and domestic engagement program.
- Support enhanced engagement with other specialist investment vehicle (SIV) agencies)



to build strong collaboration and coordination on strategic finance issues and the Government’s domestic and economic security objectives.
- Advise the business on how to respond to international trade, energy transition, industry and infrastructure policy initiatives that may impact or enhance our mandates and operations.
- Build robust working relationships with key government stakeholders including DFAT, Prime Minister & Cabinet, Treasury, Finance, Defence, DISR and key ministerial offices, including the office of the Minister for Trade and Tourism, office of the Minister for Finance and others as required.
- Engage across the Parliament and Ministers’ offices in support of EFA business outcomes and the Government’s strategic finance objectives.
- Drive positive reputational outcomes to protect and grow our brand.
- Monitor the policy, media, political and parliamentary landscape, working closely with the business and government to prepare collateral to support these engagements.

THE CANDIDATE

- A demonstrated track record in building successful programs and relationships with Ministerial and departmental stakeholders, the broader Commonwealth ecosystem, industry and international counterparts with respect to strategic finance and Australia’s economic security objectives.
- Minimum 10+ years hands-on experience in government, international policy and trade and/or finance or a similar discipline.
- Experience in building relationships in both government and industry and in navigating both to deliver outcomes on complex commercial issues.
- Experience in a Ministerial Office will be highly regarded.
- Developed relationships at high levels within governments and a proven ability to manoeuvre successfully through government channels.
- High-level strategic policy skills.
- Strong understanding of government processes, both bureaucratic and parliamentary and an ability to prosecute interests within those processes.
- Strong commercial acumen.
- Strong advocacy, communication, stakeholder engagement, negotiating and influencing skills.
- People management and leadership skills.
- Understanding of finance, domestic industrial and strategic priorities and geopolitics (all highly desirable).
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and or extensive knowledge of Government, policy frameworks and processes i.e. the ‘machinery’ of government gained in government or consulting to government.

Even if you haven’t ticked every box but this role resonates with you,



don't rule yourself out just yet, we'd love to hear from you!

OUR BENEFITS & CULTURE

We are small enough to have an impact, BIG enough to make a world of difference and it starts with our people.

We support flexible working and pride ourselves in fostering a culture that is inclusive, diverse and collaborative. We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work, recognised on the 2023 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list and listed as one of Australia’s Best Workplaces for Women in 2025.

In line with our commitment to our people, we have a comprehensive array of benefits available to our employees:

- Generous leave provisions (e.g. Annual Wellbeing day) & leave purchase opportunities
- 18 weeks paid parental leave for primary care givers
- Thorough induction onboarding program
- Fitness Passport along with other Health & Wellbeing initiatives
- Gender affirmation leave
- Income Protection Insurance
- Community volunteering
- and many more!

Our head office is based in Sydney CBD, and we have a national presence across Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

ELIGIBILITY

Australian Citizenship - To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must hold Australian Citizenship and be eligible to obtain an Australian security clearance to the level of Negative Vetting Level 2.

SOUND LIKE YOU? APPLY!

Applications close: Tuesday 20 October, 2026

Interviews will occur in parallel, so please apply ASAP.

Enquiries: [email protected] To apply, please click ‘apply’ or email your CV to [email protected]

By choosing to apply, you agree to the recruitment privacy policy.

We invite and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, people with disability and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

If you are a candidate with a disability, let us know how we can provide you with additional support.

ABOUT EXPORT FINANCE AUSTRALIA

Export Finance Australia is Australia’s export credit agency.

The reason our people join us, stay with us and grow with us is because they wholeheartedly believe in our purpose. They can see the impact we create for our customers.

We are a highly purpose-driven organisation. We seek to create an inclusive culture that values our customers and employees. Our people are expected to champion this and play a key role in achieving those outcomes. In working towards our strategy, our people display our IMPACT leadership behaviours of Frank & Fearless, Dexterous & Agile and Careful & Diligent For more information about us, please refer to our website.

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be considered on this occasion.

📌 Head of Strategic Engagement, Government & International Relations (Canberra)
🏢 Export Finance Australia
📍 Canberra