Join our influential national team driving meaningful change for the retail community - Australia’s largest private sector employer. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA), which propose to amalgamate into the Australian Retail Council (ARC), represent the $430 billion sector that employs 1.4 million Australians across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities – making retail a significant contributor to the Australian economy.

We seek an experienced policy advisor with specialist expertise in workplace relations, a passion for retail and an eye for detail. Legal qualifications will be highly regarded.

Working closely with member representatives to understand members needs and priorities, you’ll need highly effective collaboration and engagement to be successful in this role.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of the ARA’s narrative with government and the execution of ARA’s advocacy efforts and campaigns to achieve positive outcomes for the retail sector.     
• Research and articulate ARA's position on workplace relations to support development of key submissions and briefing papers.     
• Project-manage strategic workplace initiatives, working with members, legal partners and other stakeholders on landmark applications in front of the Fair Work Commission.
• Support the executive and contribute to discussions with the ARA’s Advisory Committees.
• Inform and support media management, media releases and responses. 
• Keep the leadership team and members abreast of workplace relations issues affecting the retail sector.

The ARA actively promotes flexible working for all employees which allows hybrid working. We will consider applicants from across Australia.

Criteria:

• Sound knowledge of the workplace relations landscape and processes.     
• Ability to manage complex and diverse issues.     
• Previous experience in a similar role with a record of achievement.     
• The ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment and manage sensitive information.     
• Attention to detail.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills.     
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with members and other stakeholders as required.     
• Capability for strategic thinking and sound professional judgement.     
• An understanding of the retail industry environment. 
• Legal qualifications will be highly regarded.

Why work for the ARA: 
The ARA, and soon to be formed Australian Retail Council, is a high-profile voice for change and transformation of this major sector of the Australian economy.

Our leadership initiatives have a powerful economic and social impact, influencing the direction of outcomes within areas such as economic transformation and innovation, career and employment opportunities, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and retail crime.

The ARA actively promotes flexible working arrangements for all employees which allows working from anywhere within Australia. As a truly national association, we have team members working across different states and utilising modern cloud-based platforms to communicate and collaborate with each other.

We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australian South Sea Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQ and culturally diverse candidates to apply.

To Apply:
Please submit your CV and a cover letter via Seek here with your responses to the selection criteria. 

The preferred location for this role is in Canberra, Sydney or Brisbane, but this is flexible for the right candidate.