Senior Manager, Government Affairs

Senior Manager, Government Affairs at Westpac

Create your best future and join Westpac's Government Affairs and Public Policy team as a Senior Manager, Government Affairs.

What's the role?

The Government and Industry Affairs team at Westpac manages the bank's engagement and collaboration with local, state, and federal policymakers, advocating for customer-focused policy change. This involves significant interaction with Federal and State Governments, the Opposition, Commonwealth Treasury, and the Australian Banking Association. Your role will involve leading relationships with politicians, developing an executive engagement strategy, and coordinating Westpac’s National Press Club sponsorship. It requires extensive external networking, representing Westpac at events, preparing CEO and executive briefings, and providing crucial political insights on key initiatives such as AI, Digital, and Core Banking projects.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Working independently and with the Director of Government Affairs, to ensure Westpac has strong relationships with key Federal and State Governments and policymakers.
• Supporting a variety of public policy engagements in partnership and collaboration with the bank’s business units to ensure Westpac contributes to the effective design of public policy for our customers and the sector.
• Developing and writing written responses to public consultations on public policy relating to the financial services sector.
• Monitoring, communicating and anticipating material political developments.
• Representing the bank and the Government Affairs function at external functions, meetings and events hosted by Governments or policymakers.
• Supporting the Government Affairs team’s program of engagement and collaboration with state and federal governments and policymakers.

What do I need?

You will have experience as a former government official or political staffer, with a reputation for working collaboratively to proactively manage key political and policy issues at a senior level. You will bring significant experience in a relevant Government, industry group, or business position. Your exceptional organisational skills will underpin a proven track record of managing and briefing senior stakeholders and producing high-quality written briefings and submissions. You will possess a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Communications, Political Science, or Law and have a strong interest and awareness of politics and government processes. Previous experience in the financial services sector will be highly regarded. Your flexibility will also be required – with 3 days in office/2 days WFH and regular travel to Canberra for this role. If you have a passion and exposure to advocating for positive change in the financial services sector, then we would love to hear from you!

Why join us?

We’re obsessed with becoming our customers' #1 banking partner for life and we’re looking for people who are passionate about helping us achieve that goal. In return, we’re committed to making Westpac the best place to work in the country. Here are just a few of the ways we’re already doing that:

• Special offers on banking products and discounts from top brands, including generous employee-only mortgage rates!
• Flexible work arrangements to help you achieve a greater work/life balance, and a variety of leave options including Culture, Lifestyle and Wellbeing leave.
• Tailored learning and development opportunities to help your grow your career within the bank.
• Lots of opportunities to ‘give back’ to the Community by getting involved in our many volunteering initiatives.

Key skills/competency

• Government Relations
• Public Policy
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Political Analysis
• Executive Briefing
• Financial Services Policy
• Advocacy
• Regulatory Affairs
• Communications
• Policy Development