About Us

Driven by the imperative of climate justice, The Sunrise Project is a global network of changemakers working to drive the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. We support hundreds of partners, move millions in funding to grassroots movements, and coordinate bold campaigns that shift the public narrative, shift finance, and challenge the social licence of fossil fuel companies.

Founded in Australia in 2012, we activate and operate a unique model of grant-making and campaigning to achieve large-scale, global impact. Today, Sunrise is a global network of three independent organisations that share a common mission and values and drive aligned strategies.

With a geographically distributed team across Australia, The Sunrise Project Australia (TSPA) is one of the largest funders and climate impact makers within the region. Making ~$40m in grants in line with our program strategies, we fund the most climate progressive Australian universities, think tanks, activist organisations, and grassroots groups and support them to work together for large-scale impact.

We're a values-driven team that thrives on collaboration, creativity and purpose. Our culture is inclusive, flexible and supportive, helping people do their best work on big, urgent challenges. You can read about our values here.

We value diversity in all its forms and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of colour, people with disabilities, people outside urban centres, and LGBTQIA+ folks. We're committed to being a welcoming and inclusive place to work.

About the roles

Program Director – Gas Exports

This role leads our work to prevent the expansion of gas exports in Australia in order to reduce global emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. You’ll drive our strategy in collaboration with partners in Australia, Asia, and globally, lead a high-performing team, and manage major relationships with allies, funders and stakeholders. You’ll bring a deep understanding of the gas industry and Australian politics, and strong strategic and leadership skills​.

Deputy Director – Australian Program

This is a new leadership role to help hold and grow the whole-of-program view across our Australian work. You’ll coach program leaders, lead cross-team strategy and collaboration, build team culture, and help manage complexity across our diverse network of campaigns, programs and partners. You’ll need strong facilitation, leadership, and people skills, and a systems view of change.​

Campaign Director – Fossil Fuels

This new role will lead a public-facing campaign that strengthens the movement to phase out fossil fuels and builds momentum for just, systemic change. Working across media, messaging, mobilisation, and more, you’ll amplify frontline voices, support aligned campaigns, and lead a campaign team. You’ll be a skilled campaigner and convenor, confident storyteller, and passionate about climate justice​.

Key responsibilities

These vary slightly by role and include:

• Designing and leading high-impact strategies or public campaigns to phase out fossil fuels and drive systemic change.
• Managing and coaching senior staff and campaigners to deliver outcomes while supporting a healthy team culture.
• Facilitating collaboration across teams, programs, and allies to align strategy and maximise impact.
• Building strong relationships with movement allies, frontline communities, and funders.
• Developing compelling public narratives, media strategies and campaign messaging.
• Overseeing budgets and grantmaking with a focus on equity and impact.
• Supporting inclusive, values-led leadership across Sunrise and the wider movement.
• Contributing to the strategic direction and culture of Sunrise’s Australian programs.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience

You don’t need to tick every box – we strongly value lived experience, community leadership, and non-traditional pathways. We’re looking for people who bring a mix of the following:

• Strategic leadership – Experience designing and leading strategies or campaigns that created meaningful change, ideally in climate, justice, or social movements.
• Strong understanding of Australia’s climate politics – Familiarity with energy transition debates, fossil fuel industries, and the political and economic systems that shape them.
• People leadership – Proven ability to build and support healthy, high-performing teams, and coach others to lead with clarity and care.
• Collaborative mindset – Skilled at working across differences and building trust with a wide range of people – from frontline leaders to funders to policymakers.
• Movement and network experience – Understanding of how movements create change, and experience collaborating in distributed or networked organising contexts.
• Communications and storytelling – Ability to craft or guide compelling narratives, media strategies or public messaging (especially for campaign-focused roles).
• Equity and inclusion – Commitment to social justice, with experience applying an equity lens to leadership, facilitation, strategy or partnerships.
• Adaptive and creative thinking – Comfort working in complexity and uncertainty, with the ability to spot emerging opportunities and think big-picture.
• Project and budget management – Ability to manage resources, support grantmaking, and keep things on track in dynamic environments.

We know great candidates might bring strengths in some of these areas more than others. If you’re unsure – reach out and let’s talk.

Job requirements

• You must have full working rights for Australia. The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.
• Employment background checks are required.
• Intermittent travel domestically, rurally and internationally with advanced notice may be required.

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: Macbook & accessories, 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
• We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, e.g. JEDI caucuses, working groups, slack channels, surveys and meetings.