Women’s Community Shelters is seeking a strategic, collaborative leader to shape and lead their advocacy function, elevating policy influence and driving systems-level change to better support women and children escaping domestic and family violence.

• Represent a respected organisation, driving policy, advocacy and systems reform to improve outcomes for women and children affected by homelessness and domestic and family violence
• Build high-trust relationships across government and sector while translating grassroots insights into impactful policy and advocacy outcomes
• Newly created, 12-month maximum-term contract role with possibility of extension, full-time role based in Sydney

The Impact of the Organisation

Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with communities to establish and operate crisis accommodation services for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness.

WCS has established a growing network of shelters and innovative housing and education programs across NSW and, more recently in Victoria, prioritising safety, dignity and empowerment. The organisation is recognised for its agility, evidence-informed advocacy and deep commitment to centring women’s voices.

Through partnerships with local communities, philanthropists, service providers and government, WCS is delivering scalable impact while maintaining a person-centred, community-led approach.

The Impact of the Role

In this newly created role, the Director of Advocacy will work closely with the CEO and broader leadership team to establish and lead WCS’s advocacy, policy and government relations function.

This is a pivotal role that goes beyond government engagement. You will shape a holistic advocacy approach that integrates policy development, sector engagement and strategic influencing, ensuring WCS’s voice is both credible and impactful across all levels of decision-making.

Highly collaborative in nature, you will partner closely with the Director of Engagement and Senior Leadership Team to align advocacy efforts with organisational priorities, strengthen external positioning, and ensure a consistent and compelling narrative across all channels.

A key focus of the role is to build internal capability. You will uplift advocacy, policy and government relations skills across the leadership team, embedding frameworks, tools and ways of working that enable WCS to engage confidently and effectively in policy and advocacy over the long term.

This is an opportunity to build a function from the ground up. You will establish a clear, strategic and sustainable advocacy framework, balancing long-term influence with the agility required in a dynamic, fast-paced organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering an integrated advocacy, policy and government relations strategy aligned with WCS’s mission and growth
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with elected representatives, public sector leaders, and key sector stakeholders
• Advising the CEO and Senior Leadership Team on political trends, policy opportunities, and advocacy risks
• Working closely with the Director of Engagement to align advocacy with communications, partnerships and stakeholder engagement
• Translating frontline insights into evidence-based policy positions, submissions and advocacy priorities
• Representing WCS in high-level meetings, sector forums, working groups and public events
• Establishing frameworks, systems and processes to embed advocacy capability across the organisation
• Building the confidence and capability of leaders to engage effectively in policy and advocacy conversations
• Ensuring advocacy efforts are strategic, coordinated, measurable and aligned with organisational values

About You

You are a strategic and values-driven leader with a strong grounding in policy, advocacy and government relations. You bring a systems lens, a collaborative mindset and a commitment to driving meaningful social change.

You are equally comfortable shaping strategy and building capability in others, and you thrive in environments where you can build something from the ground up while remaining responsive to emerging opportunities.

You will have:

• A degree in Political Science, Law, Public Policy, or a related field
• 7–10 years’ experience across policy, advocacy and/or government relations, ideally within a values-based or community organisation
• Experience in the homelessness, domestic violence, or social services sectors is highly desirable
• Demonstrated ability to influence policy and build relationships across all levels of government
• Strong understanding of political systems, government processes and legislative frameworks
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across leadership teams and functions
• Experience building organisational capability in advocacy, policy or government engagement
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling positions
• High emotional intelligence, integrity and resilience

Benefits of Working with WCS

• Work with a highly respected organisation, driving grassroots and systemic impact
• Join a values-driven, collaborative leadership team
• Play a key role in shaping a critical organisational function and long-term advocacy strategy
• Central Sydney office with hybrid flexibility and travel across NSW and Victoria as required

If you’re ready to use your policy and advocacy expertise to build capability, shape strategy and drive meaningful change for women and families experiencing homelessness and domestic and family violence, we’d love to hear from you.

Upload your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Chloe Barton at [email protected] using the subject line: Director of Advocacy - Women's Community Shelters enquiry via EthicalJobs / 0426 161 985.

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