Summary

• $100,000 - $110,000 pro rata p.a. plus super depending on skills and experience
• 0.8 FTE
• Work from home with some travel
• Can be located anywhere on the east coast of Australia
• One-year contract with intention for renewal subject to funding
• Shape a brand new role working with rural and regional leaders on the transition to renewable energy

About Us

RE-Alliance (REA) is an independent not-for-profit working to deliver a renewable energy transformation in Australia filled with sustainable, long-term benefits for regional communities.

We do this by listening to the needs and concerns of local communities hosting renewable energy infrastructure, facilitating collaboration across the industry to achieve social good and advocating for improved regional outcomes at a policy level.

We place regional development at the centre of the renewable energy shift. Solar, wind, transmission, and storage projects can contribute to regional prosperity and give regional Australian families certainty that there will be jobs and opportunities in their communities for decades to come.

For the renewable energy industry, we are experts on how to build trust with rural and regional Australia and make a meaningful difference. To Governments, we are advocates for policy settings that leverage the energy transformation to become a vehicle for regional renewal across Australia.

We have a growing team of staff, spread out across regional Australia, dedicated to a just and timely energy transition to achieve significant emissions reduction this decade.

The Role

The Regional Programs Manager is a new position at REA that will play a vital role in supporting local governments and regional development practitioners living and working across rural and regional Australia and leading the transition to renewable energy at the local level. This position focuses on project management, event coordination, and online facilitation to empower rural and regional leaders, foster collaboration, and drive innovation within the renewable energy transition.

The Regional Programs Manager not only facilitates valuable networking and learning opportunities for regional leaders but also significantly advances local government initiatives and regional development efforts in the energy sector across rural and regional Australia. This role is essential for driving positive change and supporting Australia’s broader energy transition objectives.

The Regional Programs Manager will report to the REA Advocacy Director and work closely with the whole REA team, including providing input to program and project strategies, and adapting and responding to changing circumstances to advance the goals of REA.

The Regional Programs Manager will have a valid drivers licence and access to a car is essential for this role to attend meetings and events. Some overnight and interstate travel will occur on occasion. Reimbursement for reasonable expenses will be provided, subject to approval.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management:
  • Plan, manage, and grow online networks for rural and regional development leaders to support each other in their work in Australia’s shift to renewable energy.
  • Monitor project progress and ensure alignment with local government goals and community needs.
• Event Coordination:
  • Manage large in-person events that bring together local leaders, industry experts, and government representatives to share knowledge and best practices.
  • Plan and execute workshops, webinars, and gatherings that address the unique energy challenges faced by rural and regional communities.
• Online Facilitation:
  • Curate and facilitate online meetings for peer-to-peer learning, enabling local leaders to exchange ideas and solutions effectively.
  • Curate relevant content for online discussions and ensure that the platform remains engaging and aligned with the needs of the community.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Build and maintain strong networks among regional leaders, government agencies, and industry experts to promote collaboration and resource sharing.
  • Engage with stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities within the energy sector and facilitate collective problem-solving.

About You

REA has a small, growing, remote-working team. Our staff enjoy a high degree of independence and self-direction, underpinned by a strong culture of mutual support, encouragement and continuous learning. We achieve results through collaboration both within our organisation and with our numerous partners across government, industry and civil society.

Attributes

• Professional, demonstrating courage, ethical work standards and a high level of integrity.
• A clear and open communicator who works to facilitate trust with the team and partners.
• Innovative, looking for creative solutions when situations are complex and directions are not clear.
• Persistent, resilient and resourceful to achieve outcomes in the face of challenges and setbacks.
• Effective under pressure and able to operate autonomously or contribute as part of a team as the situation demands.
• Flexible and adaptable to transition between tasks and projects and move with change.
• Willing and able to work collaboratively in a small, interdependent team.

Capabilities

• Ability to develop productive relationships with local government representatives, local business chambers, energy developers, unions, social service organisations, Traditional Owners, farmers, environmental groups and others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, incorporating verbal and written communication, negotiation, facilitation, problem-solving and influencing skills to engage a variety of stakeholders.
• Project management skills with experience in planning and coordinating community events of different types and different scales including in highly sensitive contexts.
• Problem-solving skills to resolve challenges independently using initiative and judgement.
• Highly effective time management and organisational skills to get outcomes and meet tight deadlines, with proven ability to manage a broad range of tasks simultaneously and achieve complex goals.
• Good written skills to prepare reports, submissions and information pieces with a high degree of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness or ability to complete training and take action to build cultural awareness and capabilities.

Key Selection Criteria

There are many skills and experiences that could qualify you for the position. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the Key Selection Criteria.

Essential

• At least 3 years of professional experience in community development, community engagement, advocacy, community organising or related fields.
• Demonstrated record of maintaining productive relationships with state or local government to advocate or deliver outcomes.
• Demonstrated record of delivering successful community events at a range of scales in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, including adapting to challenges and managing sensitive issues.
• High-level written and oral communication skills with experience communicating complex concepts to a wide range of audiences.
• A passion for building Australia’s renewable energy future and improving the fabric of rural and regional communities.
• Current valid driver’s licence and ability to travel.
• Familiarity with Slack, Google suite (Gmail, Google Docs/Sheets/Slides) and MS Office suite (Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Monday.com.

Desirable

• A deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing rural and regional Australia.
• Experience working directly in or with local governments.
• Strong understanding of the Australian renewable energy sector landscape including opportunities and challenges.
• Living in or strong connection to regional & rural Australia.

If you’d like to discuss the role, please contact our Advocacy Director, Lu Allan, via [email protected] using the subject line: Regional Programs Manager - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.