About Us

The Sunrise Project is a network of passionate changemakers driven by a shared mission to scale social movements that can drive the urgent transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We believe in the power of people to solve the climate crisis, and we work alongside partners around the world to shift the systems — financial, political, and cultural — that are holding back climate action.

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.

About the Role

We’re scaling up our policy engagement to tackle the climate crisis with the urgency it demands. The Government Relations and Policy Director will drive Sunrise’s efforts to engage with governments, policymakers, and key stakeholders to advance strong, evidence-based action on climate change. You’ll work closely with our program teams and allies to sharpen their strategies, build strong relationships with political decision makers, craft compelling policy advice, and support coordinated action that protects the environment and the communities most impacted by the climate crisis.

Key Responsibilities

• Designs and leads Sunrise Australia’s government and stakeholder engagement strategy to influence climate and environmental policy.

• Develops strategic political insights and persuasive messaging to strengthen advocacy and engage stakeholders, including crafting sharp policy briefings and analyses.

• Convenes and coordinates cross-movement political strategy with allies, NGOs, and internal teams to maximize impact.

• Leads cross-program coordination on political engagement, aligning diverse teams and balancing multiple responsibilities with clarity and sensitivity.

• Advises and coaches program teams on political strategy to strengthen their policy engagement and advocacy impact.

• Represents Sunrise Australia in senior-level political engagement, including with Ministers, advisers, and public servants.

• Cultivates relationships across Australia’s political landscape, including with public institutions, advisors and MPs, to advance climate objectives.

• Monitors the political landscape to identify risks and opportunities, and support responses across the movement

• Aligns with movement allies to generate collective leverage during key political moments.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Deep experience in political strategy, advocacy, government relations, campaigning, and/or policymaking.

• Strong existing relationships across Australia’s political landscape or ability to build them quickly.

• Exceptional communication skills - especially in writing sharp, clear briefings and messaging.

• Confidence working directly with senior leaders, CEOs, funders, and allies.

• Proven ability to collaborate across teams and organisations, with a focus on collective impact.

• Sharp strategic thinking and experiences providing political advice or coaching to colleagues.

• Commitment to Sunrise’s values, including climate justice, collaboration, courage, and humility.

• Experience in climate, environment, or adjacent fields is preferred, but not essential.

Job Requirements

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

• Employment background checks are required.

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

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: 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 provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, e.g. JEDI caucuses, working groups, slack channels, surveys and meetings.

How to apply for these roles

We recognize that racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, classism and other forms of discrimination creates structural barriers that impact opportunities to formal education and experience. When assessing candidates we look at more than the jobs you've been paid to do but the range of ways you've picked up skills and knowledge throughout your life. This is why we assess candidates on how well they respond to application questions and don’t require a cover letter. You’ll be taken to Be Applied to complete your application. Start your application by clicking here. 

Want to have a conversation before applying?

We’d love to connect. If you have more questions about this role or want to better understand what it may involve, reach out to Kajute O’Riordan on kajute@sunriseproject.org to arrange a confidential chat.