- National strategy, policy influence and government engagement
- Industry led national workforce body
- Shaping Australia’s skills and workforce reform agenda
About the organisation
Industry Skills Australia (ISA) is a Jobs and Skills Council operating within a Commonwealth-funded framework, with responsibility for workforce capability across Australia's Transport Supply Chain Industries – spanning Aviation, Maritime, Rail, Transport and Logistics, and emerging sectors including Space Transport and Omnichannel Logistics and Distribution. Industry-owned and industry-led, ISA operates at the intersection of employers, unions, governments and the national skills system. The organisation plays a direct role in informing Commonwealth decision-making, guiding public investment, and ensuring the vocational education and training system responds to current and emerging industry needs. ISA translates workforce intelligence into policy, strategy and workforce development solutions at a national scale.
About the role
The Executive Director – Strategy and Government Relations leads ISA's national strategy, policy influence and government engagement agenda, reporting directly to the CEO with four direct reports. The role positions ISA as a trusted adviser to Ministers, departments and senior policy makers on workforce capability, productivity and skills reform. The Executive Director maintains relationships across Commonwealth and State governments, leads engagement with Ministerial offices and senior departmental officials, and represents ISA in policy forums and advisory committees. This role also provides enterprise-wide strategic leadership, advising the CEO and Board on government positioning, political context and emerging policy risks, while overseeing the translation of industry intelligence into high-quality policy submissions and ministerial briefings.
About you
You are a senior executive with extensive experience operating at the centre of government – whether in policy, ministerial or complex public sector environments. Your understanding of Commonwealth policy processes, budget cycles and Cabinet procedures is deep, and you have a demonstrated ability to influence national policy outcomes and reform agendas. You bring established networks across departments, Ministerial offices and central agencies, and are comfortable providing high-level strategic advice to CEOs, Ministers and Boards. Experience as a Chief of Staff, Senior Adviser or equivalent is highly regarded. A tertiary qualification in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Law or a related discipline is optimal. Aligned with ISA's purpose, you are energised by the opportunity to join a newly formed senior leadership team and make a direct contribution to organisational effectiveness, strategic execution and industry impact.
How to apply
To review requirements, the Candidate Brief and more information see ISA MICROSITE then click ‘Apply Now’ (top right) to submit your CV and concise cover letter. Direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to SHK.
