The organisation

Settlement Services International (SSI) Group is a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. It works with people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, people with disability, and youth and children, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.

The position

Reporting to the Group Head of Stakeholder Relations, Research & Policy, as Head of Strategic Relations you will be responsible for developing and coordinating the execution of an integrated SSI Group-wide strategic relations strategy that establishes a consistent and streamlined approach to the organisation’s stakeholder relationship management process across multiple states. The Head of Strategic Relations is accountable for leading a team across three states and leading the external engagement strategy. This will have a focus on engagement policies, frameworks and implementation across NSW, QLD, VIC and potential future expansion. A key aspect is leveraging external relationships to enhance SSI’s profile and develop new opportunities for growth.

You will be a trusted advisor to SSI’s executives and CEO and work closely with the Group Head of Stakeholder Relations, Research & Policy to implement strategies and plans which will ensure SSI is a recognised, credible, reliable, and informed reference point on client issues and service delivery areas across the sector, peak advocacy bodies and government agencies.

About you

To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate:

• Proven executive leadership experience;
• High level success in advocacy and campaigning;
• Outstanding strategic policy, planning and communication skills;
• Excellent relationship and stakeholder management skills with proven ability to influence key social community stakeholders and policy-makers;
• Established working relationships with government and sector agencies complemented with extensive knowledge of government and policy processes;
• High level analytical and research skills, with ability to interpret research data and program derived evidence;
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesise complex issues;
• Experience leading a team providing shared services to an organisation;
• NFP experience would be advantageous; and
• Relevant qualifications (social or public policy, economics, law, or social science, international relations).

This role is based in Ashfield, Sydney and flexible working conditions apply.

SSI Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO) and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, mature aged workers and people from culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply.

Covid-19 statement: Aligned with overall State Government Health standards and guidance, SSI expects all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so. This is also a pre-condition to ongoing employment.

To apply for this role or obtain a copy of our comprehensive Success Profile, visit www.meritos.com.au/ssi-careers/.

For further information or to arrange a confidential conversation regarding your suitability, please contact Christine O’Donnell on 02 9055 6855 or Andrew Ng on 02 9055 4474. Alternatively, you can email us at: [email protected] using the subject line: Head of Strategic Relations - Settlement Services International enquiry via EthicalJobs.

About SSI’s Recruitment Process

SSI has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation where protecting children and preventing and responding to child abuse is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of all employees, contractors and volunteers.

All successful candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment checks including reference checks, WWCC, a Criminal History Check and NDIS Screening check (if applicable) as a reasonable condition of employment.

SSI is a Disability Confident Recruiter, and Meritos can assist in; providing alternative formats to apply, making adjustments to the recruitment process and offering information about workplace adjustments and support networks.

Should you require adjustments please email us at [email protected].