Want to change the world one policy at a time?
We are hiring!
SENIOR MANAGER – PROJECTS
This role is first and foremost about strong project leadership and delivery, with accountability for keeping complex work moving, supporting teams to deliver well, and ensuring projects land as intended.
It is suited to a senior project leader who enjoys managing large scale projects in social policy, research and evaluation contexts, and who wants to apply their project management expertise to work with real-world impact.
At Inside Policy, project management is about creating the conditions for good work to happen. It involves planning and sequencing complex projects, supporting multidisciplinary teams, managing risk and resourcing, and enabling thoughtful, ethical and high-quality delivery of policy, research and evaluation work for both state and federal governments, the not-for-profit and philanthropic sector.
Why join Inside Policy?
Inside Policy offers the opportunity to lead meaningful project work in a purpose-driven organisation, with the support, trust and flexibility to do your best work well.
You’ll work in an environment that values thoughtful delivery, clear priorities and strong relationships, and where people are supported to balance high-quality work with the realities of life.
We offer:
· Stability & security: a salaried role with regular income, superannuation, cultural and paid parental leave entitlements, and the backing of a growing First Nations–led company.
· 9-day fortnight: supporting your social and emotional wellbeing with more time for family, community and yourself.
· Flexibility: work from home, from anywhere (some travel to Sydney may be needed).
· Mentoring & leadership development: dedicated support to grow your career.
· Impact at scale: influence major policy reforms that impact First Nations peoples.
About Inside Policy
Founded by proud Kuku Yalanji woman Natalie Walker, Inside Policy is a purpose-driven company guided by strong First Nations leadership. We place cultural knowledge and lived experience at the centre of how we approach our work.
We’re a social and economic policy advisory firm committed to making a difference for Australia’s most vulnerable communities. Our team (the “Insiders”) deliver high-quality evaluation and research projects for federal and state governments, philanthropic organisations and not-for-profits.
THE ROLE
As Senior Manager – Projects, you will play a key leadership role in overseeing the delivery of multiple projects across the business. This is a delivery-led leadership role, focused on project management, delivery quality and leading teams, rather than acting as a technical specialist or primary researcher.
You will:
· Lead and manage a portfolio of projects, ensuring delivery to scope, timeframe and quality expectations.
· Provide day-to-day leadership and support to project managers and consultants, helping them plan work, manage risks and resolve issues.
· Oversee project governance, resourcing and coordination across teams, working closely with senior leaders to balance priorities.
· Support high-quality project setup, delivery and reporting, ensuring projects are well run and clients are well supported.
· Identify delivery risks and pressures early, and work constructively with teams and leadership to adjust approach as needed.
· Contribute to improving project management tools, templates and ways of working across Inside Policy.
· Build strong working relationships with clients and partners, supporting clear communication and trust throughout delivery.
This is a leadership role for someone who enjoys making complex projects run well, supporting others to deliver, and strengthening how an organisation delivers work at scale. You must be comfortable making day-to-day delivery decisions and resolving issues as they arise, and enjoy solving problems that often relate to shifting client priorities and meeting tight timelines.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
We’re looking for someone who brings:
· Demonstrated experience leading complex projects end-to-end, with clear accountability for delivery, resourcing, risk and outcomes in fast- moving or ambiguous environments.
· Experience working with project management and resourcing systems (such as Scoro), or the ability to quickly learn and work confidently within established delivery systems.
· Demonstrated people leadership experience, including supporting and developing staff across multiple projects.
· Experience working in consulting, advisory, evaluation or research contexts, with responsibility for managing and delivering projects rather than overseeing programs or policy processes.
· Sound judgement, strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
· A collaborative, calm and practical approach to problem-solving and delivery.
· An interest in improving systems, processes and ways of working to support better project outcomes.
QUALIFICATIONS
A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent professional experience, with demonstrated responsibility for leading and delivering complex projects or work programs in advisory, evaluation or consulting contexts.
OUR CULTURE AND COMMITMENT
We are a small yet growing band of committed evaluators and researchers who truly want to make a difference. We are learning as we grow about how to not only change the world one policy at a time but how to create a future-focused organisation that looks after each other and those with whom we work.
We are also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – including people who are neurodiverse, living with disability, or who may need adjustments to the recruitment process. Please let us know if this applies to you so we can support you through the process.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Apply with your CV and cover letter explaining why you want to change the world and what you can bring to this role. Our selection process may involve a review of all applications, a mix of virtual and in-person interviews, and reference checks.
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