NT Government Affairs Manager

The Position

The NT Government Affairs Manager leads SunCable’s strategic engagement with the Northern Territory Government to advance project outcomes, align with government priorities, and manage key agreements and initiatives essential to project delivery.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Deliver a strategic NT Government engagement plan and manage core relationships.
  • Act as primary interface with the NT Government Project Facilitation Team, including PDA implementation, PCG meetings and reporting.
  • Coordinate delivery of major government-linked initiatives (Territory Benefit Plan, common-use infrastructure planning, investor attraction and funding programs).
  • Work closely with development and technical teams to manage all NT Government touchpoints and ensure a unified external interface.
  • Partner with Federal Affairs and Group Corporate Affairs on bilateral NT–Federal, NT–Indonesia and NT–Singapore initiatives.
  • Monitor policy and regulatory developments; prepare submissions and advocacy to influence outcomes.
  • Provide briefs and strategic advice to executives and the Board.
  • Build and maintain a strong network across NT Government, industry and community stakeholders.

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Key Deliverables

  • Develop and deliver the NT Government affairs strategy aligned to the business strategy to deliver impactful engagement and project outcomes, and strengthen SunCable’s position with NT Government.
  • Key interface with the NT Government Major Project Facilitation Team to implement the Project Development Agreement, and manage the Project Control Group meeting and reporting obligations between NT Government and SunCable.
  • Co-ordinate the alignment and delivery of key government agreements and initiatives; including the Territory Benefit Plan, common use infrastructure planning, investor attraction initiatives, and government funding opportunities.
  • Work closely with the Director Group Corporate Affairs and other Government Affairs colleagues to identify and manage NT Government interface with bilateral Australian, Indonesian or Singapore government initiatives.
  • Partner with SunCable’s development and technical teams to identify and manage the delivery of project outcomes that intercept with NT Government departments and agencies.
  • Provide advice and prepare written briefs on government policy and other matters to SunCable and the Board.
  • Monitor media and government sources for early identification of changes in policy, regulation or legislation that may impact SunCable; manage policy submissions and develop advocacy campaigns to positively influence outcomes for SunCable and its customer projects (including Common Use Infrastructure, Middle Arm, downstream customer policies such as FMIA).
  • Manage and coordinate all company engagement with NT Government departments, agencies and government bodies to facilitate project outcomes.
  • Build and maintain an extensive network of political and government contacts for SunCable and its projects.
  • Develop meeting schedules, prepare key messages and maintain stakeholder engagement reporting processes.
  • Participate in NT Government working groups and other relevant initiatives.
  • Support community consultation programs and industry events.
  • Other duties as required.

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Experience

  • 10-15 years experience with government relations, political advisory, public affairs, stakeholder management, policy and regulation - ideally with the NT Government or in a Northern Territory context.
  • Experience developing and executing project agreements, facilitating major project development and managing strategic government initiatives.
  • Experience delivering strategic stakeholder engagement initiatives that progress project outcomes and positively position the company with Government and other key stakeholders.  
  • An established and extensive network of political and government contacts, and demonstrated experience working with those contacts to progress outcomes.
  • Private sector experience preferred.

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Industries/Background

  • Government affairs, public relations or strategic engagement.
  • Project development; ideally energy or infrastructure.

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Key Success Competencies

  • Political awareness; operates effectively in complex and people-related dynamics; operates effectively in the ‘shades of grey’, works effectively with politicians, government contacts and key stakeholders, able to balance needs and outcomes of engagement activities and project.
  • Drives accountability; holds self and others accountable to meet commitments; acts with clear sense of ownership, drives clear responsibilities and uses feedback to improve performance and deliver continuous improvement. 
  • Manages agility and ambiguity with ease; operates effectively, even when things are not certain; deals comfortably with agility and uncertainty of change; effectively handles risk; is calm and productive under pressure; deals constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes. 
  • Stakeholder balance; anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders; understanding requirement and expectations; doesn’t lose sight of need to operate for best outcomes for SunCable and projects.
  • Fast paced environment; performs well – and thrives – in a fast paced and outcome driven environment.
  • Communication; effective in multiple and diverse settings, adjusts to fit audience and message, clear and concise written communication.
  • Learning Mindset - belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and continuous learning. 

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Key Success Behaviours

  • Drives accountability; holds self and others accountable to meet commitments; acts with clear sense of ownership, drives clear responsibilities and uses feedback to improve performance and deliver continuous improvement.
  • Manages ambiguity; operate effectively, even when things are not certain or way forward is unclear; deals comfortably with change; is calm and productive; deals constructively with problems that don’t have clear solutions or outcomes.
  • Communicates with clarity and influence; adapts messages to different audiences, translates complex issues into simple insights, and ensures stakeholders remain aligned and informed.
  • Builds strong, trusting relationships; collaborates effectively across teams and with external stakeholders, fosters open dialogue, and leverages relationships to drive outcomes and resolve issues constructively.

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Education and Qualifications

  • Bachelor degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Relations, Economics, Strategic Engagement or a related discipline.
  • Relevant post graduate or masters degree desirable but not essential.

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Location

Darwin

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Contact

Please email your resume to Tennille Parry: tennille.parry@suncable.energy