Policy and Engagement Manager - Nature and Land Use
Job No.: 692093
Location: Melbourne CBD
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 12 month fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: $124,343 - $137,251 pa HEW Level 8 (plus 17% employer superannuation)
- Amplify your impact at a world top 50 University
- Join our inclusive, collaborative community
- Be surrounded by extraordinary ideas - and the people who discover them
The Opportunity
Are you interested in shaping the policies that define how Australia’s land meets climate and biodiversity goals, while maintaining thriving agricultural systems and resilient local communities? Step into a high-impact role where your strategic thinking, policy expertise and stakeholder engagement skills will help drive real change.
As the Policy and Engagement Manager – Nature and Land Use, you will be at the forefront of influencing government policy and regulatory settings that catalyse a sustainable land use transition—one that delivers positive outcomes for people, biodiversity and the climate.
What You’ll Lead
In this dynamic and purpose-driven role, you will:
- Drive high level policy analysis, distilling insights from rapidly evolving government policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks.
- Spot strategic opportunities for change, shaping policy reform and investment settings that align with Climateworks’ ambitious program goals.
- Design and activate engagement strategies that strengthen the work of the Food, Land and Ocean team and expand our influence across sectors.
- Build trusted relationships with key government, industry and civil society stakeholders to amplify shared understanding and accelerate action.
- Facilitate meaningful dialogue through consultations, workshops and roundtables that bring the right voices together at the right time.
- Craft compelling written materials, from policy submissions to reports, that communicate clear, consistent, impact-driven messages.
- Contribute to national thought leadership, elevating Climateworks’ voice across publications, forums and sector conversations.
What You Bring
You’re a strategic thinker and skilled communicator with:
- A relevant postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience).
- Deep experience in public policy analysis, advocacy or strategic policy development.
- A strong understanding of land use policy, environmental governance, or natural resource management.
- Proven ability to engage effectively across government, industry and civil society.
- Exceptional written communication and the ability to simplify complex policy issues.
- A collaborative, relationship-driven approach that inspires trust and shared action.
Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to influence the systems that shape Australia’s land use. Working closely with Climateworks’ Program Impact Manager and an expert team, you’ll apply your policy acumen and engagement leadership to help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and climate-aligned future.
About Monash University
At Monash, work feels different. There’s a sense of belonging, from contributing to something ground breaking – a place where great things happen. We make tangible contributions because our purpose is clear; to deliver positive economic, social and environmental impact in resolving the global challenges of our age.
At the core of achieving this purpose is the diversity of our staff. We welcome and value everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. When you come to work, you can be yourself, be a change-maker and develop your career in exciting ways. This is why we champion an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to succeed.
Some 20,000 staff work for Monash around the world. We have 95,000 students, four Australian campuses, and campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia. We also have a major presence in India and China, and a significant centre and research foundation in Italy.
In our short history, we have skyrocketed through global university rankings and established ourselves consistently among the world's best tertiary institutions. We rank in the world’s top-50 universities in rankings including the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Learn more about Monash.
Today, we have the momentum to create the future we need for generations to come. Accelerate your change here.
Monash supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements. We have a range of policies in place enabling staff to combine work and personal commitments. This includes supporting parents.
To Apply
Please submit a current copy of your resume along with a cover letter in which you address how you meet the key selection criteria. For further instructions on how to apply, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'.
Diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Monash. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process at Monash. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact us at hr-recruitment@monash.edu in an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments Request' for a confidential discussion.
Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University.
Enquiries: Liam Walsh, System Lead, Food, Land & Oceans, Climateworks Centre, +61 493 258 096
Position Description: Policy and Engagement Manager
Applications Close: Tuesday 26th May 2026, 11:55pm AEST
Supporting a diverse workforce
