• Status: Full Time – hours of work can be negotiated for the right candidate
• Tenure: 2-year contract, subject to review (6 months’ probation)
• Salary Range: A package will be negotiated with the successful applicant depending on qualifications and experience
• Start Date: Negotiated
• Accountability This position reports directly to the National Committee of ELA

ABOUT EMILY’s LIST AUSTRALIA

Vision: EMILY’s List Australia (ELA) provides advocacy, research, political and financial support to enable progressive Labor women to win and retain seats in parliaments around the country. In doing so we help progressive women implement reforms to achieve equity for women, children and families.

“EMILY” is an acronym and stands for Early Money Is Like Yeast – it makes the dough rise – acknowledging early campaign money as essential for women candidates. 

ELA is a membership organisation governed by a National Committee with State and territory representatives. EL Action Groups (ELAGs) operate in each State and Territory with volunteers undertaking event fundraising to support the organisation’s operations and candidates. (A copy of the organisational structure of ELA is available on request).

In addition to candidate support, ELA is also committed to supporting future generations of women candidates. It does this through a variety of programs including:

• The Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship
• The Joan Kirner Gender Gap Research Project
• The First Nations EMILY’s List Australia (FNELA)
• How to get elected training
• Women Supporting Women Mentoring Program

Since its inception in 1996, EMILY’s List has:

• Helped 577 women run for state, territory and federal elections
• Assisted in the election of 14 First Nation women to Australia’s parliaments
• Supported the election of Australia’s first woman Prime Minister and the election of several Premiers and Chief Ministers 
• Commissioned Gender Gap Research at each federal election campaign
• Championed Affirmative Action in the ALP, including 50% women candidates by 2025
• Re-shaped the political landscape with EMILY’s List Ministers & MPs implementing policies and progressive law reform aimed at improving women’s lives, including:
  • Reforming abortion laws in all States and Territories
  • Safe access zones around abortion clinics & availability of RU486 pill
  • The establishment of Paid Parental Leave

Organisational Priorities

The EMILY’s List National Committee has developed a new strategic plan for 2021 to 2024. The core goals of the organisation are to:

Provide significant financial and in-kind support to progressive Labor women candidates in Federal, State/ Territory elections. Cultivate a broad and diverse network of members and donors that are invested in, and connected to, our organisation. Achieve progressive policy and legislative reform focused on our organisation’s five values.

ABOUT THE ROLE

EMILY’s List Australia is seeking a CEO to drive a membership, fundraising growth agenda and implement the new strategic plan within a demanding election cycle in the post pandemic environment. A CEO with a sophisticated understanding of the Australian political system and the non-profit sector is required.

An innovative leader with excellent strategic and political judgement, the CEO will use the foundations currently in place to expand ELA’s support of progressive Labor women candidates within the context of increasing demand. Utilising current methodologies in fundraising, organisational development and business improvement the CEO will harness the latest technologies, business systems and practices to grow EMILY’s List membership and donors.

The role requires someone who is a self-motivated all-rounder with a passion for being part of a unique organisation undertaking political and social change. You will relish empowering prospective and current progressive Labor women to be effective parliamentary candidates. You will believe in the principles of equity, choice, diversity and the provision of equal pay and early childhood education and care.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and organisational development:

• Implementation of the EMILY’S List Australia (ELA) strategic plan, working collegiately with the National Committee to implement the vision and direction of ELA
• Leading and promoting teamwork, collaboration, management and performance of staff and key volunteers including state-based action groups (ELAGs)
• Day-to-day operations of ELA including high standards of governance and financial reporting
• Quarterly reporting to the National Committee and annual reporting to ELA membership

Fundraising & Communications:

• Development and implementation of successful fundraising, membership and communications strategies in consultation with the National Committee, staff and volunteers of ELA
• Achieving the ELA targets for fundraising and membership with a focus on diversifying income sources as set by the National Committee including in the following areas:
• Membership recruitment and retention
• National Events & Sponsorship
• Merchandising
• Early Money candidate donations
• Training 
• Major donations and Bequests
• Establishing positive working relationships with sponsors, donors, members, including ELA supported MPs and candidates and other stakeholders
• Representing ELA in public forums
• Oversight of all strategic communications including the development and implementation of a digital marketing strategy 
• Continued development of new information technology to help grow the membership base and build on fund raising activities

Governance and Operations:

• Continuous development and oversight of ELAs financial management and reporting systems, budget development, reporting and monitoring 
• Management of staff and volunteers including recruitment, professional development and regular performance reviews to achieve a supportive working environment to all staff and volunteers
• Development, implementation and monitoring of ELA’s compliance and risk management strategy
• Oversight and maintenance of ICT and other resources including compliance with all governance, statutory and common law requirements

Other Organisational Responsibilities (applicable to all ELA staff, national committee members and volunteers):

• Adhere to ELA values and principles
• Maintain a high standard of work practices and ensure integrity, respect and confidentiality while carrying out core tasks
• Work cooperatively with staff, volunteers and National Committee members to achieve ELA objectives

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience in providing vision and leadership to deliver organisational strategies particularly in the not-for-profit sector
• Demonstrated experience and skills in developing and implementing successful business development, fundraising and membership strategies and targets, including identifying and successfully obtaining new sources of funds
• Demonstrated experience and skill in managing human resources, including employment of staff and volunteers and the implementation of a safe workplace and a productive organisational culture
• Experience and/or working knowledge and understanding of the Australian political environment, particularly the ALP
• Qualifications in and/or experience and knowledge of merchandising, marketing, communications and fundraising
• Sound experience in managing organisational resources, operations, governance and administration
• Financial management skills including budgeting, reporting and monitoring capabilities
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including the capacity to establish and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and ELA members
• Experience in the management of media enquiries, promotion of the organisation to the media and in depth understanding of the key social media platforms

Desirable:

• Knowledge of information technology and the application of software in business development and fundraising
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting and promoting progressive women in Australian politics

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to the principles of EMILY’s List Australia
• Public presentation skills (speeches, presentations, individual discussions)
• An assertive, flexible, responsive and helpful approach
• Interest in politics and current affairs an advantage
• A high level of enthusiasm, strong integrity and enjoys working within a small team environment

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• The role is full-time. The hours can be negotiable. Whilst EMILY’s List is a family friendly office for weekday work, attendance at after-hours events will be necessary, as will be availability for occasional interstate travel.
• The successful applicant will be subject to an initial 6-month probationary period review and then a 12-month position review.