Founded in early 2015 and based in Sydney, Hireup is a trusted online platform and community for people with disability and their families to find, hire and manage support workers that fit their needs and share their interests. Whether it’s support with getting to work, catching a local footy game or taking the scenic route, Hireup gives people the tools needed to live the most flexible, seamless and supported life possible. With over 75,000 registered users in communities all across Australia, Hireup is a national network of local supports. As a purpose-led organisation, we promote a culture defined by its humanity, curiosity and creativity, and allow this to infuse our services, product and people.

The Government Affairs and Public Policy team works closely with politicians, department officials, regulators and government influencers to educate them about Hireup, highlight our significant social and economic impact and showcase our incredible work. Our mission is to support policy makers understand the policy opportunities that affect our thriving community and advocate for change that goes beyond the day to day – expanding our social impact and working towards a society that is truly accessible for all.

The Public Affairs Manager will join our growing team and immediately enhance Hireup’s advocacy on a broad range of public policy issues that are driven by what is best for our community. The Public Affairs Manager will report to the Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy and will support the implementation of our strategy. Being genuine and holding high ethics is crucial to being successful in our work, as well as driving political change through passion and continuously growing and adapting.

The big picture

• Join one of Australia's fastest growing tech companies - winner of the 2018 Google.org Impact Challenge and 2017 Deloitte Tech Fast 50
• Be part of Hireup’s policy entrepreneurial environment, where we are influencing government by creating real change for people with disability
• Form effective working relationships with all sides of government and drive effective advocacy for our community

Priorities – the work

• Craft influential messaging that can support policy position statements to Government and pitches to key regulatory media outlets
• Develop sensitive communications that enable transparency to the public
• Cultivate relationships with political journalists so they are conscious of Hireup’s public policy positions
• Develop overarching thought-leadership priorities for executive leadership that will support the public policy agenda
• Work cross-functionally to build government engagement strategies and campaigns that promote and enhance the overall reputation of Hireup
• Support overarching government affairs activities, including scheduling and representing Hireup in meetings and events with government and elected officials

Skills – the person

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (communications/public policy/politics)
• At least 4 years’ experience working in a relevant role or in politics or journalism (knowledge of disability and technology sectors would be a significant advantage)
• First-rate personal, analytical and organisational skills
• Ability to quickly grasp complex policy matters, get to the core of the issue quickly and use spoken and written rhetoric to persuade and inform
• A true advocate with highly developed political acumen and excellent interpersonal skills
• Independent self-starter with a sense of humour and the ability to thrive in a fast moving, agile environment
• Strong connection to building an understanding of the Australian disability sector and community
• Approach work with high-energy, drive and internal motivation
• Exhibit adaptability, resilience, transparency, trustworthiness, passion and innate curiosity