Role Purpose:

McKinnon is dedicated to strengthening Australia’s democracy and enhancing public administration. Our goal is for Australian governments to be more effective, transparent and accountable. We support practical programs that deliver tangible progress, and our work is motivated solely by the long-term public good. Our approach is non-partisan and undertaken in cooperation with all sides of politics. 

The Head of Engagement is a vital part of McKinnon’s ongoing success and is responsible for driving the development and execution of innovative engagement strategies that foster and strengthen McKinnon’s relationships with key stakeholders in the political and public arenas.

Contributions from the role will:

• Elevate McKinnon’s standing by designing and implementing strategies that enhance McKinnon's influence and reputation with politicians, political advisors, public servants, and other influential decision-makers.

• Drive program-specific advocacy by leading efforts to advance McKinnon’s programmatic goals by executing targeted advocacy initiatives that ensure the organisation’s projects make a meaningful impact.

• Contribute to broader McKinnon strategic policy development as required.     

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Engagement Development: Craft and implement a robust engagement strategy that aligns seamlessly with McKinnon’s mission and values. This involves identifying and prioritising key stakeholder groups, establishing clear engagement goals, and devising targeted strategies to achieve these objectives.

• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Build and sustain meaningful relationships with key stakeholders through collaborative efforts. Advocate effectively for McKinnon program goals and ensure that stakeholder interactions support the organisation’s objectives.

• Community Engagement: Cultivate and enhance McKinnon’s reputation within the wider community, fostering a positive and influential presence.

• Communication Leadership: Design and execute comprehensive communication plans that convey McKinnon messages consistently and effectively to all stakeholders. Ensure alignment with McKinnon branding and messaging standards.

• Team Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-calibre engagement team. Set clear expectations, foster accountability, and create a supportive and productive team environment.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilise annual surveys and interviews to assess engagement levels, monitor progress, and inform strategic decisions. Analyse trends and identify opportunities for improvement to enhance engagement outcomes.

• Budget Oversight: Manage the engagement budget efficiently, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and initiatives are executed cost-effectively.

• Reporting and Evaluation: Prepare and present regular reports on engagement activities and their impact on McKinnon objectives. Use insights from these reports to evaluate strategy effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

• Collaboration with Program Leaders: Partner closely with program teams to develop and execute initiatives that support their specific objectives and enhance overall program impact

Experience, Skills & Competencies:

About McKinnon

McKinnon is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation which exists to empower better governments for a stronger Australia. Our work focuses on four core areas where we believe meaningful, measurable impact matters most: political leadership, the public sector, democracy, and policy innovation. We are driven by curiosity and a desire to bring diverse perspectives together to create meaningful debate. We have the courage to make bold decisions and are driven by the urgency that meaningful work creates. We exist to make impact that matters.