Director, Advocacy

• Make a practical difference to NSW small businesses!
• Exciting Ongoing employment opportunity
• Total remuneration commencing from $224,385 commensurate with experience
• Based at 4 Parramatta Square (12 Darcy Street) with alternative locations and hybrid options available within NSW. Some travel across NSW is required.

www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au - Empowers small businesses - watch this short 38 second video to find out more about we empower small business with advocacy and mediation

About the role
Are you looking for an opportunity to be part of an organisation driven to help small businesses succeed and ensuring they have a voice to be heard? Excited to engage with all levels of government and private sector organisations?

The NSW Small Business Commission is seeking a motivated individual to take on a key leadership role in this independent authority leading the Commission's advocacy agenda for NSW's 900,000 small businesses. This will be achieved through your ability to act as a high-profile contact point for the small business sector and develop and deliver effective policy, research and stakeholder strategies to improve the operating environment for small business.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of an advocacy framework to raise awareness of the Commission's programs and initiatives across the small business sector and government.
• Represent small businesses experiencing issues with government and non-government organisations, identifying and proposing strategic solutions to systemic challenges.
• Oversee the Commission's insights and intelligence function, including economic trend monitoring, direct research with small businesses, and the production of reports to inform policy and priorities.
• Build strategic partnerships with state and national organisations, representing the Commission on inter-agency working groups and committees to influence service delivery and policy development.
• Work closely with Communications & Engagement to prepare content for the Minister's Office, including briefings, media releases, speeches, and reports.
• Lead operational management of the team, including financial and resource oversight, and foster a high-performing, motivated workforce capable of delivering program outcomes.

For more information on the role and its accountabilities, click here to view the role description.

Does this sound like you?

• Proven experience in advocacy and policy development, with the ability to influence outcomes and drive systemic change for small businesses.
• Strong leadership capability, with experience managing teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to represent the Commission at senior levels and build strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to manage legislative frameworks and ability to provide expert advice on regulatory and administrative practices impacting small businesses.
• Skilled in interpreting economic trends and translating insights into actionable policy and advocacy strategies.
• Experience managing budgets and resources effectively to deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Tertiary qualifications in business, law, humanities or a related discipline.

About us
The Small Business Commission is an independent authority which:

• Provides a central point of contact for small businesses to make complaints about their commercial dealings with other businesses and their dealings with government agencies;
• Facilitates the resolution of disputes involving small businesses through mediation and other appropriate forms of alternative dispute resolution;
• Encourages government agencies and larger businesses to enter into productive working relationships with small businesses;
• Supports the fair treatment of small businesses.

As an advocate for the interests of small businesses the Commission operates a subsidised mediation service to help businesses resolve disputes quickly and efficiently.

The Commissioner works with government, industry groups and other stakeholders to reduce red tape and make it easier for small businesses to operate.

More information on NSW Small Business Commission can be found at www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au

For enquiries regarding this position, please contact Tom Hanbury, Senior Advisor Talent Acquisition via [email protected].

Closing date: Wednesday 5 November (9:59am).

Your application should include an up-to-date CV which clearly details your relevant skills and experience to this position. Cover Letter and Selection Criteria are not mandatory.

Visit the Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in the role description.

Careers at Department of Customer Service
A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

Belong in our diverse and inclusive workplace

The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different backgrounds and perspectives.

You can view our full diversity and inclusion statement here.

We want you to bring your best self to this application process. If you have any support or access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in this selection process (including an alternate format of the application form) please contact [email protected] or 02 9494 8351.

For more information, please visit:
Information on some of the different types of disabilities
Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process