About The Role

Australia is one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, and what happens here will shape energy choices across Asia and the world. The Sunrise Project’s Australian Gas Program exists to prevent gas expansion and accelerate the energy transition, working with and resourcing movements — from frontline First Nations communities to grassroots organisers, NGOs, funders, and international allies.

The Gas Program Director plays a critical leadership role in this work. You will set program strategy, manage a senior team, and resource high-impact campaigns. You will build alignment across movements, politics, finance, and international networks to deliver outcomes that prevent new gas projects and drive a just transition.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Australian Gas Program strategy to prevent gas expansion and drive climate action.
• Manage and support a team of senior campaigners, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture.
• Oversee program budget and grantmaking portfolio, securing funding and negotiating grants to resource impactful campaigns and organisations.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with allies, funders, and organisations across civil society, politics, finance, media, and international networks, representing Sunrise in high-level forums when needed.
• Convene and align coalitions to build shared strategy and achieve ambitious outcomes.
• Anticipate and manage political, strategic, and legal risks to protect and advance program objectives.
• Contribute to organisation-wide strategy, decision-making, and culture as part of Sunrise’s senior leadership.

Required skills, knowledge, and experience

• Senior-level experience leading complex strategies or campaigns that delivered real-world outcomes.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing high-performing, inclusive teams where people thrive.
• Experience overseeing budgets, fundraising, and grant portfolios to drive campaign impact.
• Proven ability to convene and align diverse stakeholders, with strong facilitation and communication skills.
• Understanding of the Australian gas industry, energy markets, and the political economy of gas exports, or the ability to rapidly develop this expertise.
• Sharp political and strategic judgement, with the ability to navigate high-stakes, fast-moving environments with creativity and boldness.
• Passion for climate action and a strong commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, including support for First Nations and frontline leadership.

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, noting pro rata will apply for part time staff and/or temporarily appointed staff:

• Superannuation 12.5% & Salary Sacrifice for Superannuation
• Sunrise Time Off:
  • Additional Annual Leave 5 days p.a.
  • Long Service Leave available after 5 years of service
  • Birthday Leave 1 day p.a.
  • Solidarity and Community Leave 1 week p.a
  • Cultural Leave 4 days p.a (+ floating public holidays)
  • Gifted Leave (over Christmas and New Year)
  • Paid Parental Leave of 7.5 mths (inclusive of GPPL) - gender-neutral & inclusive of all family types, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program
  • Life Leave up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons
• Flexible Working Policy
• Employee Assistance Program
• VIDA - An AI tool to support you working safely remotely
• Generous allowances for:
  • Workspace Benefits incl: A Macbook, initial $2,000 for home workspace and IT equipment + $800 every 2 years + up to $75/mth phone/data/internet.
  • Shared office support
• Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats
• Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for you
• Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings
• Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback
• A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities