Manager – Education Policy and Advocacy

• Work within a values driven, progressive organisation
• Be part of an engaging team that thrives on challenges
• Part time opportunity with flexible work arrangements

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people.
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Early Years, Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

About the Opportunity

The Manager – Education Policy and Advocacy works with the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations and the Principal of Hester Hornbrook Academy to identify, develop and implement multi-faceted policy, advocacy and government relations strategies.

The Manager – Education Policy and Advocacy will:

• provide strategic leadership in developing and refining Hester Hornbrook Academy’s advocacy and communications strategies to influence government and social policy and to optimise organisational positioning and maximise the school’s influence and thought leadership in the education sector.
• develop and implement research and social policy across Hester Hornbrook Academy, undertaking research and policy that fulfils the needs of the school, collaborating with external organisations and institutions where appropriate/beneficial.

Duties of this role may include but are not limited to the following:

Social Policy and Research:

• Development, coordination and implementation of research and social policy innovation across the Hester Hornbrook Academy. Undertaking research that fulfils the needs of the school, collaborating with external organisations/institutions where appropriate/beneficial.
• Working with a range of government, departmental, community, academic, media, individuals, schools and organisations on key public education policy issues.
• Provide high-level analysis of Federal and State policy where they relate to the MCM Group, particularly Hester Hornbrook Academy, and identify potential areas of opportunity and risk aligned to Strategy.
• Develop policy submissions, position papers, and other written material that is designed to promote Hester Hornbrook Academy’s thought leadership and engage/influence government.

Advocacy and Communications:

• Strategic leadership in developing and refining advocacy and communications strategies to influence government and social policy and to optimise organisational positioning and maximise the school’s influence.

Government Relations

• Initiate and manage relationships with Ministers, Members of Parliament, advisors and bureaucrats on behalf of Hester Hornbrook Academy.
• Provide support for business development activity, including aligning tender messaging to government education policy and priorities, and developing and leveraging networks across all areas of governments (federal, state, local) to successfully position for opportunities that benefit Hester Hornbrook Academy and the MCM Group.

About you

Our ideal candidate will be able to successfully demonstrate the following key skills and attributes:

Essential:

• Tertiary qualifications in law, political science or related discipline and/or professional experience in public policy relating to education.
• Experience working in the education sector and/or government, and a demonstrated understanding of the relationship between schools and government funding and policy.
• Sophisticated understanding of government and politics, demonstrated by a track record of achievement.
• An understanding of trauma-informed practice, restorative justice principles and the necessary skills to engage young people with multiple and complex needs.
• An understanding of Child Safe Standards as they exist in a school setting.
• Computer literacy and high-level written skills, including the ability to translate complex information or bureaucratic jargon into plain English and to tell stories.

Desirable:

• MCM highly values a diverse workforce and is recognised by the Diversity Council of Australia as an inclusive employer. We strongly encourage applications from people with a lived experience, First Nations people, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people of all ages and people who identify as LGBTIQ+.

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
• Supportive learning and development environment
• Culture of continuous improvement

Screening Criteria

• National Police check
• Valid Victorian Drivers license
• Right to Work in Australia

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early. Please include your current resume and cover letter.
Please review the position description to understand more about the role and responsibilities. For assistance with your application please email: [email protected] using the subject line: Manager – Education Policy and Advocacy enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Our commitment to Safety

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Our commitment to Diversity

At MCM, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation. We know that diversity and inclusion helps us to attract, recruit, engage and retain a team of talented people.

A position description is attached.