CAREERS

Job title: Editor, Research to Policy

Job Location: Melbourne or Canberra

Reports to: APO Director

Role Type: full-time, 18 months fixed term with the possibility of extension.

Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO) is seeking a detail-oriented and impact-driven Editor, Research to Policy to join our dynamic team. This role is central to APO’s mission of improving public policy through better access to evidence. You’ll lead the curation of research collections, foster client relationships, and support the development of new initiatives that support real-world impact. High-quality public policy depends on decision-makers having access to the best available evidence. APO’s open-access platform reaches over 500,000 users annually and is a trusted resource across government, academia, civil society, and industry.

This is an exciting opportunity for an information management professional who thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments and is passionate about building bridges between research and decision-making.

RESPONSIBILITIES

In this role, you will:

• Curate Research Collections: Work with clients to understand policy needs and deliver targeted research collections that support evidence-informed decisions.

• Manage Metadata and Records: Apply editorial standards and classification systems to ensure accuracy, discoverability, and consistency across APO’s content.

• Lead Client Engagement: Build and maintain long-term relationships with stakeholders, supporting revenue growth and project delivery.

• Support Project Design: Contribute to the development of new services and initiatives that enhance APO’s value and visibility.

• Track and Report Impact: Analyse engagement metrics and generate client reports to inform improvements and demonstrate value.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Qualifications: A tertiary qualification in information management or public policy and research—or equivalent experience in information management.

• Professional Experience: Demonstrated experience in digital information or database management, with an understanding of the policymaking environment.

• Editorial Acumen: Ability to identify and categorise high-value publications, create clear metadata, and manage complex information systems.

• Stakeholder Skills: Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset, with experience working across sectors.

• Personal Attributes: An action-oriented team player with a curious mind, commitment to quality, and alignment to McKinnon’s values: Be humble. Be curious. Be courageous. Make it matter.

WHAT WE OFFER

At McKinnon, we provide:

• Meaningful Impact: McKinnon is purpose-driven: working with the us means you can contribute to shaping the future direction of governments and policy in Australia.

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a team driven by curiosity and a desire to foster meaningful debate and diverse perspectives. Our team is energetic and supportive and our work is fast-paced, intellectually stimulating and deeply fulfilling.

• Professional Growth: Engage in challenging projects that offer personal and professional development opportunities. This role is for a highly motivated individual who is searching for their next opportunity to make real impact.

If you enjoy challenging and fulfilling work that contributes to advancing the lives of Australians and thrive on working with inspirational and influential stakeholders, if you’re driven by the same vision and ready to make a difference, you’ll thrive here.

ABOUT US

McKinnon is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation which exists to empower better governments for a stronger Australia. Our work focuses on four core areas where we believe meaningful, measurable impact matters most: political leadership, the public sector, democracy, and policy innovation. We are driven by curiosity and a desire to bring diverse perspectives together to create meaningful debate. We have the courage to make bold decisions and are driven by the urgency that meaningful work creates. We exist to make impact that matters.

APO is a leading open-access platform dedicated to strengthening evidence-informed policymaking across Australia and was founded in 2002 at Swinburne University of Technology. McKinnon commenced a partnership with APO in January 2024 and it is now embedded within McKinnon. By curating and sharing high-quality public policy and research from a wide range of organisations, APO makes critical evidence accessible and usable for those who need it most. As an essential part of the policy ecosystem, APO serves more than 500,000 users annually across government, academia, industry, and the not-for-profit sector. With 15,000 newsletter subscribers and a growing digital presence, APO bridges the gap between researchers and decision-makers—helping to ensure that public policy is shaped by the best available evidence.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you are passionate about public sector improvement and possess the skills and experience outlined above, we invite you to apply for this role. Please submit your resume and a cover letter to [email protected] detailing your suitability for the position.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact APO Director Brigid van Wanrooy at [email protected]

McKinnon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job title: Program Manager Public Sector

Job Location: Melbourne or Sydney

Reports to: Program Director, Public Sector

Role Type: full-time or part-time, permanent

McKinnon is seeking a dynamic and experienced Program Manager Public Sector to join our dedicated team. This role involves leading research, analysis, and program management initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of public administration across Australian state and federal governments. As a key contributor, you will support the Program Director in identifying and implementing improvements within the public sector, ultimately driving better outcomes for Australia.

The effectiveness of Australia’s public sector directly impacts our nation’s productivity and success. A robust and high-performing public sector is essential for translating policy decisions into tangible outcomes that benefit all Australians. The Public Administration work area of McKinnon covers a range of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of public administration in State and the Commonwealth governments, including in relation to policymaking, public sector productivity, fiscal sustainability and federalism.

RESPONSIBILTIES

In this role, you will:

• Implement and Manage Programs: Oversee the end-to-end implementation of programs, including planning, monitoring progress, managing budgets, and evaluating outcomes.

• Engage Stakeholders: Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, and political entities, to promote collaboration and influence reforms.

•  Manage Operations: Coordinate with external contractors and partners, develop service agreements, and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.

•  Conduct In-Depth Research and Analysis: Lead rigorous research to inform McKinnon's strategic direction, employing methods such as policy reviews, quantitative data analysis, and stakeholder interviews.

•  Develop high level communications: Draft high-quality reports, strategy documents, Board papers and discussion papers aligned with McKinnon's objectives.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate will possess:

•  Educational Background: Tertiary qualification in public policy, economics, public administration, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

•  Professional Experience: Demonstrated experience in program management, strategy and policy development, and senior stakeholder engagement, ideally within the public sector or politics.

•  Analytical Skills: Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information and present actionable insights.

•  Personal Attributes: Alignment with McKinnon's values—be bold, be curious, be courageous, and make it matter. An excellent conceptual and analytical mind, effective problem-solver and natural collaborator. 

WHAT WE OFFER

At McKinnon, we provide:

•    Meaningful Impact: McKinnon is purpose-driven: working with the us means you can contribute to shaping the future direction of governments and policy in Australia.

•    Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a team driven by curiosity and a desire to foster meaningful debate and diverse perspectives. Our team is energetic and supportive and our work is fast-paced, intellectually stimulating and deeply fulfilling.

•    Professional Growth: Engage in challenging projects that offer personal and professional development opportunities. This role is for a highly motivated individual who is searching for their next opportunity to make real impact.

If you enjoy challenging and fulfilling work that contributes to advancing the lives of Australians and thrive on working with inspirational and influential stakeholders, if you’re driven by the same vision and ready to make a difference, you’ll thrive here.

ABOUT US

McKinnon is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation which exists to empower better governments for a stronger Australia. Our work focuses on four core areas where we believe meaningful, measurable impact matters most: political leadership, the public sector, democracy, and policy innovation. We are driven by curiosity and a desire to bring diverse perspectives together to create meaningful debate. We have the courage to make bold decisions and are driven by the urgency that meaningful work creates. We exist to make impact that matters.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you are passionate about public sector improvement and possess the skills and experience outlined above, we invite you to apply for this role.

As part of this recruitment process, McKinnon would like to understand how you think about existing Australian policy and governance challenges. Provide answers to these questions within the word limit, considering both quantitative and qualitative elements.

• Tell us about an Australian domestic public policy or governance issue that you want to address. Why is the issue important to you and the nation? (250 words)

• What do you think should be done to address the problem? How can we be sure that your solution would work, and why is it an efficient solution?  (400 words)

• Who would benefit from the solution, and how would we know? Who else would likely support the changes and how would we address those negatively impacted?  (250 words)

Please submit a response to these questions, your resume and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the position to [email protected]  

McKinnon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.