Australian Program Director

Australian Program Director

About The Sunrise Project

Driven by a passion to solve the climate crisis, The Sunrise Project (TSP) is a dynamic team of experienced changemakers on a mission to scale social movements to drive the global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Founded in Australia in 2012, TSP operates with a unique model of grant-making and campaigning to achieve large-scale, global impact. Today, Sunrise is a global network of three independent organisations that share a common mission and values and drive aligned strategies. With over 150 people across 20 countries and a grant-making portfolio that funds over AUD $80 million per year to a network of over 250 organisations,





this passionate team of change-makers is having a globally significant impact on the defining issue of our time.

To drive impact, The Sunrise Project essentially does six things:

1. Analyse political, social, and economic systems driving the climate crisis;
2. Develop strategies for multi-partner efforts to create systemic change;
3. Partner with philanthropy to resource these strategies;
4. Fund diverse networks of organisations and support them to drive collective impact;
5. Support organisations and movements to sharpen their strategies and build their capacity to achieve real-world outcomes;
6. Drive strategic interventions that will hasten the transition beyond fossil fuels.

With a geographically distributed team of 74 people across Australia, The Sunrise Project Australia (TSPA) is one of the largest funders and climate impact makers within the region. Making ~$40m in grants in line with their program strategies, TSPA funds the most climate progressive Australian universities, think tanks, activist organisations,





and grassroots groups and supports them to work together for large-scale impact.

The Australian Program Director Opportunity

Reporting the new role of Australian Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Australian Program Director will drive the critical mission of transforming Australia from laggard to leader on climate change and amplify energy transition initiatives worldwide. Playing a critical leadership role in the Australian climate action movement, you will build strong relationships across community, industry, government and philanthropy, ensuring programs and strategies deliver impact aligned to mission.

Key accountabilities include:

1. Strategic Leadership:





managing the overarching Australian strategy and program to shift Australia from climate change laggard to leader and drive the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
2. Program & People Management: Supporting, mentoring and managing a team of experienced Program Directors to develop, implement and evaluate high impact programs aligned to vision. Ensuring alignment and cohesion across the Australian program and collective impact.
3. Championing Culture: Nurturing vibrant, innovative, inclusive, and life-affirming culture that supports everyone in the team to thrive and unleash their collective power to drive impact in line with mission and values.
4. Budget & Resource Planning: Managing program budgets and resource planning processes to maximise funding outcomes and impact aligned to mission.
5. Cross cutting strategy and horizon scanning:





Identifying emerging opportunities and responding to maximise impact in a rapidly changing world.
6. Partnership & Philanthropy: Representing TSPA and fostering relationships with climate movement organisations, the community, Government, business and philanthropic partners.
7. Global Network Collaboration: Playing an active leadership role across the Sunrise network to drive the overall impact of global initiatives.

About You

You are an experienced and collaborative leader who knows what it takes to create a vibrant and inclusive culture that unleashes the power of the collective to change the world. With a track record of complex program and campaign delivery and leadership, you have a deep understanding of the political landscape in Australia, how power operates,





and the different roles that diverse actors in social movements can play to drive transformation at pace and scale.

You are a natural collaborator and influencer who builds trusted relationships across diverse stakeholders to drive outcomes. You have a high risk appetite, are willing to push boundaries to turn ideas into real-world change and have a knack for articulating strategies into simple and compelling ways to engage others on the journey.

The Benefits

This is a rare opportunity to lead social movement programs and networked campaigns that will deliver climate action at scale. Working as part of a global network,





you will enjoy collaborating with and learning from innovative thought leaders around the world and build lasting relationships with leading social movements and philanthropic leaders. Alongside an attractive salary package, you will enjoy remote and hybrid working flexibility, autonomy to manage your life/work balance, annual retreats, occasional international travel, and above statutory superannuation entitlements.

The Sunrise network believes diversity of experiences and perspectives drive stronger strategies, teams, and movements so you will also enjoy, and actively contribute to, an inclusive and connected culture. We encourage all people with the relevant experience to apply for this exciting position, including international candidates with Australian work rights willing to relocate and candidates interested in co-leadership and job-sharing.







Keen to make a difference? Apply now, click the links for more information, or contact Ainsley Johnstone at Think Talent on 0408 391 648 for a confidential discussion.

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▶️ Australian Program Director
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