About us

Driven by a passion to solve the climate crisis, The Sunrise Project is a team of experienced changemakers, researchers and communications professionals with a mission to scale social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. With programs and staff in Australia, Europe, and the US, we have developed a unique model of grant-making and campaigning that supports networks of organisations to drive powerful change towards our mission.

We have a dynamic and nimble organisational culture and we’re serious about supporting our people to thrive. We move fast and are growing rapidly as we lean into the urgency of the climate challenge.

Through our grants program we provide partner NGOs with the capacity they need, while our experienced team of changemakers provides strategy, analysis and networking support for partners to work together for greater impact. Our operating model involves working in close collaboration with both donors and NGOs and we re-grant roughly 2/3 of our annual budget to partner organisations. For more information about how we work see www.sunriseproject.org.au

The Sunrise Project Australia Ltd is a public company limited by guarantee and is a charity registered with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives, reflecting the diversity of all people impacted most by climate change will help us build stronger strategies, teams and movements. We strongly encourage First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, and people with all kinds of bodies and talents to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone. You can read our commitment to this work here.

The Sunrise Project is searching for an experienced legal and governance professional to join our rapidly growing team.

About the role

Incorporating the responsibilities of Company Secretary as well as internal legal counsel, the objectives of this position are to ensure our organisation meets all of our compliance obligations while supporting the board to uphold the highest standards of governance and ensuring effective risk management across the organisation

This is a senior role reporting to the Operations Director. As Company Secretary, this position will also report directly to the Chair of the Board and will provide advice to both the Board and senior management on risk management.

We support networks of organisations to work together to achieve outcomes that would not be possible by individual organisations acting alone. We expect all roles at Sunrise to actively support the capacity building of these networks and partner organisations.

Key responsibilities

• Fulfil all aspects of the Company Secretary role including compliance, reporting and record keeping;
• Advise the Chair, Board and Board Committees on corporate governance matters and compliance with relevant legislation;
• Assist the Chair and Executive Directors to develop agendas for board, sub-committees and general meetings;
• Ensure compliance with all statutory obligations;
• Develop and maintain appropriate organisational risk management strategies including risk register, and advise staff and Board in relation to risk;
• Manage engagement with external legal counsel in the jurisdictions in which we operate (US, Europe, Australia);
• Stay abreast of government policy and legislative change that affects our programs and the rights of civil society organisations to advocate, and work with campaign partners to devise proposed responses to protect these rights;
• Review and draft contracts and agreements as required;
• Provide legal advice to the board and executive team on a wide range of matters as required.

About you

You’re a skilled lawyer who is passionate about climate change and excited about applying your sharp legal skills in support of a bigger mission. You’ve got a deep understanding of effective organisational governance and risk management and have a keen eye for detail. While you’re systematic and well organised, you’re also a strategic thinker with the ability to grasp the bigger picture strategic needs of a fast-moving organisation running high impact change strategies across multiple jurisdictions. You’re a skilled communicator who is able to work well in small teams and collaborate effectively with a wide range of different stakeholders.

Required skills and experience

• At least 3 years’ experience in a similar or related role including unpaid, grassroots or lived experience
• A current unrestricted practising certificate or eligibility to obtain one;
• A deep understanding of the role of company secretary
• Relevant knowledge of the regulatory environment in which Australian charities and public companies operate;
• Proven track record in providing sound, independent, timely and legal advice;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to synthesise complex legal and policy issues for interpretation by non-lawyers;
• Flexibility and the ability to effectively juggle competing priorities and to quickly master new subject areas;
• A deep commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion;
• A passion to make a difference on climate change;

If you meet some but not all of the criteria for this position, are unsure, but you’re keen on the role – please get in touch. We value and recognise experience that has been unpaid, from the grassroots or is lived experience.

Desirable Skills and Experience 

• Understanding of how social movements achieve change;
• Experience formulating strategy in a community campaign.

Benefits and conditions

• This is a 4 day per week role with the possibility to increase to full time.
• Location is flexible;
• Ongoing permanent contract subject to successful completion of a probationary period;
• Depending on experience (including unpaid and other experiences) and capacity to take on responsibility, the salary range is $90,000 – $110,000 pro rata p.a. plus 12.5% superannuation.

How Sunrise supports its staff:

The Sunrise Project is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. We have the following in place to help us achieve that:

• Superannuation contribution of 12.5%
• Four weeks annual leave with leave loading of 17.5%
• Birthday leave (if it’s your birthday, you get a day off)
• Cultural leave
• 12 weeks parental leave after 12 months of service
• Commitment to supporting to your professional development including organisation-wide budget allocation
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Coaching and management support with regular 1:1 meetings
• Performance reviews and feedback to support you and the team to reflect and grow
• A co-developed initial 3 month work plan to help you hit the ground running and have clarity on your role and responsibilities.
• Flexible work policy

For more information please see our website and to submit your application, please click Apply Now below.

For further enquiries please email [email protected] using the subject line: In-house Counsel and Company Secretary - Flexible location enquiry via EthicalJobs.