Government Relations Officer

Job Description

Are you passionate about building relationships and making an impact? As our Government Relations Officer, you’ll play a pivotal role in fostering connections with government stakeholders to secure funding and support for football initiatives across Northern NSW. This role offers the opportunity to lead advocacy efforts, manage strategic projects, and contribute to the growth and development of football in our region. If you’re a natural relationship builder with a knack for strategy and communication, we’d love to hear from you! What is the role's primary purpose? The primary purpose of the Government Relations Officer role is to assist our aim of enhancing the quality and quantity of football facilities across Northern NSW in alignment with Northern NSW Football's (NNSWF) Strategic Plan 2024–26 and the "Participating" pillar. Reporting to the General Manager – Member Services, this position is integral in fostering strong, collaborative, and lasting relationships with stakeholders at all levels of government, Member Zones, and football clubs. The role will focus on enabling NNSWF and its members to connect with and benefit from government investments that support the growth and development of football in the region. The Government Relations Officer will play a critical role in creating and implementing processes, procedures, and resources to advocate for and secure funding for infrastructure, programs, and initiatives that increase access to quality playing spaces. This role also underpins NNSWF's strategic priority of leading football advocacy on behalf of the football community, ensuring that the organisation is positioned as a trusted partner to government and capable of delivering outcomes that benefit the broader community. By supporting the development of localised facility plans and leveraging government partnerships, this position contributes to the overarching goal of making football accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. What will you be doing as a Government Relations Officer? Strategic Advocacy and Relationship Management Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Ministerial offices, Members of Parliament (State and Federal), government departments, and agencies. Act as the primary liaison between NNSWF staff, including the CEO, and government officials to facilitate effective communication and collaboration. Assist in preparing briefs, political profiles, and talking points to ensure NNSWF representatives are well-equipped for meetings. Produce strategic documentation to support advocacy efforts for facility investment and other football-related initiatives at local, state, and federal levels. Collaborate with Football Australia and government peers to advance joint programs and strategies. Government Engagement and Project Support Work closely with grassroots clubs and Member Zones to develop and implement localised facilities plans, strategies, and projects that align with NNSWF’s goals. Monitor political issues and opportunities that may impact football in Northern NSW, providing timely advice and strategic insights. Support Member Zones and clubs in grant writing or coordinate consultants to assist with applications for priority projects. Monitor funding opportunities across all levels of government and communicate these to the NNSWF football community to maximise benefit. Develop and manage a relationship management tool to record and track interactions with government stakeholders. Campaigns, Advocacy, and Administration Collaborate with the Communications Team to design and manage advocacy campaigns, ensuring consistent messaging across all channels. Organise meetings, ensuring smooth and effective administrative operations related to government relations. Perform data analysis to inform reporting, decision-making, and campaign development. Establish and maintain regular communication networks to distribute updates on government opportunities, advocacy efforts, and funding processes. Leverage established relationships to secure funding for significant facility projects and programs benefitting NNSWF and Member Zones. About You: You’re someone who thrives on building meaningful connections, turning ideas into action, and making a real impact. You bring a mix of passion, creativity, and know-how to the table, along with the skills and experience to get things done. Here’s what makes you a perfect fit for this role: Government Guru: You’ve worked within government or local councils and know your way around the decision-making and funding processes like a pro. Lobbying Extraordinaire: Whether it’s knocking on doors or crafting compelling pitches, you’ve successfully advocated for big ideas and driven results. Business Development Whiz: You think outside the box to achieve goals and have a proven track record in creating opportunities that matter. Relationship Builder: People love working with you because you know how to nurture partnerships that last and bring value to everyone involved. Proposal Pro: You’ve developed and implemented business proposals and project plans that make sense—and make a difference. Tech-Savvy: From Excel to PowerPoint, you’re a whiz with MS Office and can navigate digital tools to streamline processes and tell your story. Communicator Extraordinaire: Your writing and speaking skills are second to none, and you can adapt your style to fit any audience or purpose. Organisation Ninja: Deadlines, schedules, and priorities? You’ve got them covered, and your time management skills are the stuff of legend. Diplomatic Dynamo: You handle tough conversations and competing priorities with tact, professionalism, and a smile. Event and Campaign Creator: From planning events to rolling out impactful communications, you’ve got the skills to engage and inspire. Ready and Responsible: You either have a current ‘paid’ NSW Working with Children Check or are ready to get one ASAP. Sound like you? If so, we can’t wait to hear how you’ll bring your unique talents to this role and make a lasting impact on the football community! The Fine Print (aka What You’re Signing Up For): This role is anything but boring! If you’re ready to embrace the dynamic nature of football, here’s what to expect: After-Hours Action: Some of the most exciting opportunities happen outside the 9-to-5. Whether it’s evening meetings, events, or game days, you’re up for the challenge. Weekend Wins: Football doesn’t stop for the weekend, and neither do we. You’ll be hands-on for key activities and events when needed. Travel Adventures: From bustling city offices to the heart of regional communities, you’ll get to see the best of Northern NSW as part of your work. If you love variety, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are excited to go where the game takes you, this is the role for you! Benefits of Working at Northern NSW Football: Northern NSW Football values our awesome employees and has their well-being and a healthy work-life balance front of mind. Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program. Flexible working environments. Regular staff professional development and training. Regular staff social activities to help connect with your teammates. Access to company vehicles for work-related travel. Regular performance reviews to help you achieve success. Opportunities to watch and be involved in some of our region’s biggest football events. Our Commitment to Diversity: At Northern NSW Football, we respect and celebrate the power of diversity. We strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of our football family and harness the unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our staff and our communities that we work and play in. #J-18808-Ljbffr