About Us

The Sunrise Project is a global network of independent organisations united by a common mission: scaling social movements to drive the global transition beyond fossil fuels. We've developed a unique model that combines strategic grant-making with campaigning, supporting interconnected organizations to create powerful change aligned with our mission.

Sunrise Australia (TSPA) is a proud member of The Sunrise Project network. Our organizational culture is dynamic and adaptable. We're committed to supporting our team members to thrive as we tackle the urgent challenge of climate change. We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives strengthens our strategies, teams, and movements.

TSPA takes the broadest possible view of diversity and encourages First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside of cities, people living with disabilities, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+ people to apply. We are continually working on becoming a better workplace for everyone.  Find out more here. 

About The Australian Energy Transformation Program

The Australian electricity sector is in a time of massive change as it transitions to 100% renewable generation. Australia has all the resources it needs to be a renewable energy powerhouse. Yet, electricity generation from coal power still makes an enormous contribution to our country’s overall domestic emissions.

Our goal is to harness the power of our globally-significant renewable resources to drive the transition beyond fossil fuels – and ensure it happens at the pace and scale required to solve the climate crisis.

We aim to ensure that this shift is fast and fair, with benefits flowing to those most affected by the transformation. The Australian Energy Transformation Team brings our resources – including strategy & analysis; coordination & convening; and strategic grantmaking – to support the diverse network of organisations working to transform and decarbonise Australia’s energy system.

About The Role

The role supports and coordinates a broad array of allies and partners to communicate the benefits of the transformation of Australia’s electricity market to clean energy. You’ll be stepping in at a key time, and an environment in which vested interests are stepping up bad-faith attacks on the impacts of energy transition.  

By drawing on cutting edge research, and making use of both digital and traditional media channels, the role develops and implements communications campaign strategies to build widespread, sustainable support for the energy transition and ensure all communities and households are reaping the benefits of clean energy. 

We support networks of organisations to work together to achieve outcomes that would not be possible by individual organisations acting alone. All roles at Sunrise, including the Senior Communications Campaigner, actively support the capacity building of these networks and partner organisations. 

About You

You’re a creative thinker with an unstoppable hunger for climate justice, and a track record of identifying, guiding and implementing effective change-making interventions. 

You love thinking about what makes minds change, and are excited by experimenting with new approaches.

You know how to structure a series of communications activities towards a shared goal that results in real-world outcomes. You are passionate about working within a team to transform Australia to a global leader in clean energy and climate solutions.

You’re in your element in a fast-moving media and communications landscape. You’re well-organised, up for being highly autonomous, and a creative problem-solver. 

You’ve got a good handle on the latest digital platforms, and cutting-edge approaches to how social movements can use them for impact. 

You’re capable of navigating between stakeholders with diverging (and sometimes competing) interests to find alignment, and chart a path through complexity. You're able to communicate complex issues in simple, sharp messaging that will resonate strongly with target audiences.

You care deeply about social justice, and understand the value of building effective working relationships with people from all walks of life and points of view. 

Key Responsibilities

• Leads the design and delivery of effective digital and traditional communications strategies and campaigns alongside colleagues and partners, to deliver on program objectives;

• Identifies and leads rapid-response interventions in reactive or pivotal campaign moments, including managing and mitigating any risks;

• Provides ongoing coaching to program partners to implement effective campaign strategies, and support to develop their impact and effectiveness;

• Manages key partner, agencies and contractor relationships (for example, digital communications, research and public relations) to help drive compelling campaign communications and media narratives; 

• Aligns own work and OKRs with Sunrise’s mission and values. 

Skills, knowledge and experience    

• Significant experience with big-picture communications strategy and storytelling 

• Advanced level experience developing and/or implementing digital campaign strategies in line with a campaign impact goal 

• Strong writing and editing skills, with an ability to communicate complex issues clearly and compellingly to targeted audience

• A passion for taking action on climate change and a deep commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• Media relations experience, landing top-tier media or experience managing people leading this work

• Experience using and managing media monitoring tools

• Experience convening campaign collaborations 

• Experience using (or supervising others to use) basic photo, video or image editing applications (Canva, Photoshop, etc) may be useful

Job requirements 

• You must have full working rights for Australia.  The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.

• Previous employment reference checks will be required for successful applicants

• Attend local, in person partner actions from time to time.

• Intermittent travel domestically, rurally and internationally with advanced notice may be required.

• Flexibility to adjust work hours to accommodate multiple time zones

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.