• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
• Location: East coast capital city, with a preference for Melbourne. The WELA team works remotely from home, within AEST hours. Melbourne based team members also have the option to work from our small city office space.
  This position is open to Australian residents only with current Australian working rights.
• Job Type: Full time or part-time (0.8 FTE) negotiable. Permanent contract
• Salary: $106,400, plus superannuation (pro rata). This position is classified as Level 6.1 under the SCHADS award
• Job Requirements: Occasional (monthly) after-hours work; ability for occasional domestic travel, easy regular access to an East Coast capital city
• Benefits: Flexible working location, work / life balance, supportive and empowering culture, mentoring opportunities, generous leave provisions and employee benefits include leave loading of 17.5%

About the position

Do you want to contribute to saving the environment, solving climate change, and taking on the patriarchy?

We’re looking for an experienced Engagement and Community Manager to join us in building a dynamic movement of change-makers ready to lead and transform Australia’s response to our environmental and climate crises.

Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) is empowering, supporting, and funding women’s leadership for our environment and climate action. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, growing, and passionate team taking on some big challenges - and doing it with a good sense of fun and personal sustainability.

You’re an experienced change maker with a creative, entrepreneurial spirit, excellent relationship building and community organising skills, and a big vision for impact.

You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering WELA’s community engagement and organising strategy to significantly grow and engage our community of women and gender diverse change makers. You’ll lead the continued growth of our community through innovative and engaging activities, events and partnerships. You’ll lead the scoping, development and implementation of a new Alumni engagement program, to activate and support the ongoing leadership and influence of our growing and diverse alum community.

You will be instrumental in fostering connections, facilitating collaboration, and enhancing the overall impact of our network. By leveraging your skills in community engagement and leadership, you'll help shape a future where our leaders are equipped to drive sustained and transformative change.

The role will report to the Chief Executive Officer, and work closely with the Communications Manager, Fundraising Stewardship Manager, and Leadership Programs Director. The role will also manage a new position of an Events and Communications Producer. You’ll be supported in the role by a clear organisational strategy, a team of approx 10 staff, a positive team culture, and a supportive board.

We embody a vibrant and caring energy where we know what we’re doing, but we certainly don’t have all the answers. Learning, reflecting and balancing risks informs our passion and drive.

Key tasks and deliverables

• Lead the ongoing development and implementation of the organisation’s engagement strategy.
  • Devise and implement community growth and engagement strategies and activities.
  • Curate and implement digital and in-person engagements including events, workshops, partnerships, online actions.
• Lead the development and implementation of a new Alumni engagement program, to activate, connect and support WELA’s growing community of over 300 alum.
• Support the Communications Manager to expand WELA’s brand and outreach through engagement advice and activities.
• Support the Fundraising Stewardship Manager with the ongoing growth and engagement of the Giving Circle Membership.
• Manage a new team position, Events and Communications Producer, who will be working across Engagement, Communications and Fundraising.
• Engage and manage external consultants as needed.
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activities to inform future strategies.

As a small team, we support each other in our work so you’ll regularly be expected to jump in and help out whenever and however needed. Likewise, you can count on the support of the team however you need it.

About you

You’re passionate about our environment, and the important role of women’s leadership in creating a genuinely sustainable future in which people and the planet thrive.

You love the power of people to create change, and are experienced in developing and managing campaigns or projects that activate and engage communities for our environment and climate. You know how to create engaging pathways, events and activities that inspire people with shared values and diverse experiences, including alumni, supporters, donors and other stakeholders.

You’re creative, and show initiative in the way you spot opportunities and make things happen. You have excellent communication skills, written and verbal, and your interpersonal and network creation skills are second to none. You are an experienced project and people manager, have a keen eye for detail, a commitment to good process for project management and delivery, and a track record of supporting and developing staff.

You don’t mind getting your hands dirty, and you’ll do what it takes to get the outcome needed - from strategy development to event logistics; from relational one-to-one volunteer meetings to major partnership management.. You love being part of a small team, but are confident working independently.

WELA is committed to creating a diverse and thriving community of women and gender diverse people for our environment and climate action. People from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, communities of colour, or culturally and linguistically diverse communities are encouraged to apply.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

• Demonstrated commitment to our environment and / or women’s leadership.
• A passion for connecting people for impactful action and creating community.
• At least three years in a similar strategic engagement or senior organising role within an NGO, social justice organisation or for-purpose business.
• Extensive experience curating and organising events and engagement activities - online and in-person.
• Excellent project management skills, and an ability to manage across competing tasks and priorities while maintaining clear communication.
• Excellent people and relationship management skills, and experience working with a variety of stakeholders including volunteers, funders and partners.
• Demonstrated experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and communities, including diverse sectors, community and cultural backgrounds, or geographic communities.
• Excellent communication skills, including written and verbal communication using a variety of formats.
• Familiarity with relevant digital tools such as Google Suite, CRM tools, Canva, social media platforms.
• Ability to work independently, manage projects and deliver work on time with limited supervision as part of a small dynamic team.

Desirable

• Previous experience with managing an online community or alumni program.
• Experienced facilitator of workshops and events both online and in-person.
• Experience in learning, training and development.

About WELA

Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) is empowering, supporting, funding and diversifying women’s and gender diverse leadership for our environment and climate action, in order to transform Australia’s response to our environmental and climate crises.

Overwhelmingly, our existing political, business and societal leadership has failed to adequately address the climate and environmental crises at hand. It’s time for a leadership change. Put simply, we will not get out of this by relying on the same leadership that got us into it. The evidence is clear - more women in decision making roles equals better environmental outcomes. We need more of it.

We’re a small and empowering team, with a big vision for change. We work hard, but have a healthy commitment to work/life balance, and enable the flexibility to support this. We practise what we preach - we have a unique workplace culture that values innovation, relationships and diverse leadership styles. We support one another to grow, develop, and bring joy and creativity to our work each day. Come as you are, and be open to growth.

To apply for this position, please upload your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria via Ethical Jobs by the closing date. For general enquiries about the position, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Engagement and Community Manager - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs, or for a brief discussion about the position, please book a time with WELA CEO Victoria McKenzie-McHarg at https://calendly.com/victoria-wela/wela-engagement-and-community-manager-discussion

A position description is attached.