About the job:

• Employment type: Full-time
• Salary: $110,000, plus superannuation
• Hybrid work environment
• Join a positive, collaborative team who are passionate about quality, care and supporting the early childhood sector

About ELAA:
Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) is a leading not-for-profit membership association supporting more than 1,300 early childhood education and care services. We advocate, lead, and influence governments to deliver excellence and equity in early childhood education and care.

ELAA is a Child Safe Organisation committed to the safety, wellbeing, and cultural inclusion of all children. All staff are expected to actively uphold and promote child safety and wellbeing.

Position summary:
As Policy and Engagement Senior Adviser, you will play a key role in strengthening ELAA’s advocacy impact, policy guidance and deepening engagement with members.

Reporting to the Director of Advocacy and working within the Advocacy and Communication division, this role bridges policy analysis, member insight, and public-facing resource creation and engagement.

You will translate complex policy and regulatory environments into clear, practical guidance, while actively engaging members and contributing to ELAA’s digital and social media presence to support advocacy objectives.

About the role:
As Policy and Engagement Senior Adviser, you will

• Monitor, analyse, and respond to policy, funding, and regulatory developments affecting the early childhood education and care sector.
• Engage with members to understand local priorities, challenges, and emerging issues to inform ELAA’s policy and advocacy positions.
• Lead the development and maintenance of high‑quality policy, governance, and operational resources for members.
• Support ELAA’s advocacy agenda through policy briefings, guidance materials, and evidence‑informed content.
• Contribute to ELAA’s social media presence, developing sector‑relevant posts and content aligned to advocacy priorities.
• Work collaboratively to promote member resources, campaigns, and key messages through digital channels.
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, focus groups, and advisory groups to strengthen member engagement, and collect and analyse data to inform advocacy and positions.
• Manage projects end‑to‑end, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with organisational priorities.
• Collaborate across teams to support ELAA’s broader advocacy, engagement, and communications objectives.
• Regularly monitor the sector environment and respond to emerging member issues by developing practical guidance, resources, and advocacy support.

Key Selection Criteria:
Essential:

• Demonstrated experience in policy, advocacy, advisory, or stakeholder engagement roles.
• Proven ability to consult, influence, and build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong policy analysis and research capability, with the ability to translate complexity into accessible content.
• Experience developing written and digital content for professional or public audiences, including social media.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Experience developing high quality written and digital content for professional and public audiences, including social media and visual assets created using Canva and similar tools.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of early childhood education and care policy and regulation.
• Experience supporting advocacy or engagement campaigns via social or digital media.
• Experience working in a not for profit or membership-based organisation.

To apply:
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and the role may close early.

Applications close Monday 11 May 2026.

Please apply via SEEK here and attached a cover letter and CV ensuring you address the key selection criteria describing how your skills and experience would align with the position.

All offers of employment are subject to the provision of a valid Working with Children Check prior to commencement. To be considered for this role you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency with no work restrictions.

At ELAA, we celebrate diversity and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all ages and abilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the community we work with and supports everyone in fulfilling their potential.

To find out more about all things ELAA, check out our website – www.elaa.org.au

For a full position description with details outlining the role function and accountabilities please contact Sally Maddison - Director of Advocacy smaddison@elaa.org.au