The Sunrise Project drives interventions to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We have developed a unique model of changemaking where we identify key leverage points, design strategic interventions, and organise diverse networks to make them happen. 

Since launching in Australia in 2012, Sunrise has grown into a global network of independent organisations with over 140 staff across 13 countries. We work behind the scenes to support bold strategies, build capacity in the climate movement, and catalyse collective action for impact at speed and scale. Our work is grounded in strong relationships, deep collaboration, and a fierce commitment to justice.

We’re proud of the culture we’ve built — one that centres trust, care, and the belief that how we work matters as much as what we do. We actively strive to reflect our values in how we lead, collaborate, and show up with our partners and each other. You can read about our values here.

As a key steward of our global mission, you will be the visionary architect of the digital ecosystem that powers The Sunrise Project. This isn’t just about managing systems; it’s about providing the strategic heart and operational backbone that allows our organisation to have an impact and succeed. 

You will ensure our core technology is not only rock-solid and secure but also deeply intuitive and human-centered, removing friction so our team can focus on what matters most: changing the world. By blending a culture of continuous improvement with a drive for creative innovation, you’ll transform our digital environment into a high-impact engine for global climate action.

This role requires a strong technology leader who can own the whole landscape, from the daily grind to the long-term vision. You’ll be the bridge between our Technology team and our senior leaders, comfortably diving into the technical weeds one minute and shaping high-level strategy the next. It’s about turning complex tech into real-world wins, finding pragmatic solutions to big hurdles, and making sure our decisions lead to sustained impact.

You bring a mindset focused on helping teams do their best work. You listen carefully, challenge constructively, and are able to reframe requests into solutions that better meet underlying needs, even when that means taking a different path to what was initially proposed. You are motivated by improving how things work, reducing friction, and creating space for people to focus on the outcomes that matter most.

You have a strong appreciation for balancing innovation with responsibility. You are open to new ideas, including the use of AI and automation to improve efficiency and impact, while ensuring changes are introduced in a way that is safe, governed and sustainable. You understand that good governance enables progress rather than slowing it down, and you can bring others on that journey.

You are a collaborative and pragmatic leader who builds trust across the organisation. You work closely with teams to understand their context, partner on solutions, and ensure technology evolves in a way that supports growth and scale. At the same time, you provide clear direction and structure for the technology function, supporting and developing the team while maintaining a strong service culture.

You are comfortable operating in a multi-entity, globally distributed environment, and bring a thoughtful approach to navigating complexity, risk and compliance while keeping the focus on enabling the organisation’s mission. 

• Develops and delivers a technology strategy that supports organisational priorities and enables teams to deliver greater impact

• Leads the evolution of the technology operating model, clarifying services, roles and ways of working, and ensuring systems, access and support structures are fit for purpose across a global, multi-entity environment

• Guides the organisation on technology opportunities, including AI and automation, to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort, while ensuring changes are introduced in a way that is governed, responsible and supports people to have greater impact

• Oversees the performance, reliability and continuous improvement of core systems, service delivery and integrations, ensuring a strong service culture and that tools and platforms meet evolving organisational needs

• Establishes and maintains practical, enabling governance, including data management, retention, security and risk practices, supporting compliance across regions while keeping the focus on usability and impact

• Builds strong, trusted relationships across teams and functions, working in partnership to understand needs, shape solutions and support delivery, while managing external vendors and ensuring value for money

• Leads and supports a high performing technology team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture, enabling collaboration, development and accountability, and contributing to the broader organisational commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion

• Oversees technology budgets, vendor arrangements and risk management, ensuring resources are used effectively and aligned to organisational priorities, while maintaining appropriate controls and compliance

• Aligns technology priorities and ways of working with Sunrise’s mission, values and OKRs

• Significant experience in a technology leadership role, with a strong foundation in IT operations and a demonstrated ability to expand into strategy, governance and organisational engagement

• A track record of understanding organisational needs and translating them into practical, scalable technology approaches, including guiding stakeholders towards solutions that best address underlying challenges

• Strong working knowledge of modern digital workplace platforms (e.g. Google Workspace, Slack, Asana), systems architecture, integrations and service delivery, with the ability to engage at a technical level while maintaining a broader strategic view

• Demonstrated experience in improving systems, processes and ways of working to reduce friction and enable teams to work more effectively and focus on higher value outcomes

• Experience introducing or supporting innovation, including AI and automation, in a way that improves effectiveness while maintaining appropriate governance, risk management and sustainability

• Practical knowledge of technology governance, risk and compliance, with the ability to apply frameworks such as NIST in a way that is enabling, proportionate and aligned to organisational context

• Well-developed interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, engage stakeholders across the organisation and influence decision making in ways that reflect Sunrise’s values

• Demonstrated ability to work across teams on cross-cutting priorities, identifying opportunities to align efforts, share knowledge and strengthen collective impact

• Experience supporting and developing high performing and diverse teams, fostering a positive and inclusive culture and enabling people to do their best work across geographically distributed environments

• Experience managing budgets, vendors and external partners to ensure value for money and alignment with organisational priorities

• A flexible and adaptive approach to leadership, open to new ideas, seeking feedback and able to guide change in a practical, collaborative and values-aligned way

• A commitment to the mission of The Sunrise Project, with a strong alignment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and an interest in using technology to support meaningful impact

• You must have full working rights in the country in which you will be working. The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.

• Employment background checks may be / are required.

• Previous employment reference checks will be required for successful applicants

• Attend local in person partner actions.

• Intermittent travel with advanced notice is required.

• Relevant qualifications in Information Technology, Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience; industry certifications in areas such as cloud platforms, cyber security, service management or governance are beneficial but not required

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: A Macbook, 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 recognise that discrimination and structural barriers shape access to formal education and experience. We assess candidates on the full range of skills and knowledge they've developed throughout their life not just paid roles. For this reason, we evaluate applicants through responses to application questions. Please do not submit a cover letter.

You’ll be taken to Be Applied to complete your application. 

Closing date: Sunday 24th May 2026 11:55pm AEST