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Explore what a career at McKinnon could look like
At McKinnon 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 requires. We exist to make impact that matters, to empower better governments for a stronger Australia.
If you're driven by the same vision and ready to make a difference, you’ll thrive here.
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WHY CHOOSE MCKINNON
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Working at McKinnon means you can meaningfully contribute to empowering better governments for a stronger Australia.
Alongside a passionate team you can improve political leadership, public sector productivity, trust in democratic institutions and shape the future direction of policy.
If you enjoy challenging and fulfilling work that contributes to advancing the lives of Australians and thrive on working with inspirational and influential stakeholders, we would love to talk with you.
Current Opportunities
McKinnon is looking for an Executive Assistant to support our Leadership Team at a pivotal time in our organisation’s growth.
As an Executive Assistant at McKinnon, you’ll play a pivotal role in enabling members of our Executive team to do their best work. You’ll be a trusted partner, anticipating needs, removing roadblocks, and ensuring smooth, coordinated operations across our business.
This is a role for someone who is solutions‑focused, comfortable with technology and confident working in evolving environments. You’ll have variety, autonomy and the chance to work across meaningful projects alongside experienced leaders.
You’re an experienced EA who’s supported senior leaders in complex, fast‑moving environments. You know how to anticipate needs before they arise, navigate competing priorities, and bring clarity and calm to busy schedules and shifting demands.
You’re energised by being the steady hand people rely on. You’re organised, thoughtful, proactive and discreet. You love making things run smoothly, whether that’s a well‑structured meeting, a perfectly coordinated travel itinerary, a Board briefing pack, or a seamless onboarding experience.
Most importantly, you thrive in a small team where you can work directly with leaders, make decisions quickly, and see the immediate impact of your work.
McKinnon is at an inflection point. We’re growing, evolving, and building the next stage of our organisational capability. We need someone who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments where adaptability, good judgement and proactive problem‑solving are essential. As our systems, structures and ways of working transform, you’ll help shape the blueprint for how McKinnon operates.
You’ll work where your contribution genuinely matters — enabling more effective, transparent and accountable Australian governments.
We have offices in Melbourne and Sydney and will accept applications for either location.
Applications close 11 February 2026. Learn more and apply now.
For any enquiries about the role, please contact [email protected]
This is a hands-on role working at the intersection of rigorous research, strategy, and delivery. You contribute to shaping ideas, testing them against evidence, and helping turn them into programs that make a difference. You’ll be close to the work and trusted to distil complex policy, data and stakeholder insights into clear advice that informs organisational strategy and decision making.
We'd welcome candidates with experience in government, consulting or related not-for-profits. It’s a great next step if you’ve been working in policy, research, strategy or advisory roles and are ready for:
deeper involvement in organisational strategy and program design
greater responsibility across research, pilots and delivery
work that genuinely matters
You’ll be working in a high-trust, non-partisan environment, contributing to work that strengthens Australia’s democratic and public institutions.
We have offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra and will accept applications for either location.
Apply by sending your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your motivation for working at McKinnon and your salary expectations to [email protected]
If you’re ready to step into a high-impact role shaping evidence and strategy, we’d love to hear from you.
At McKinnon, our Program Managers sit at the heart of our work. They deliver complex programs that create tangible impact across Australia’s most pressing challenges in public administration and politics. Program Managers deliver our programs, manage key relationships, and help drive the change we exist to make.
We’re seeking experienced generalists with a policy focus — people who have led complex programs and want to broaden their skills and experience. You’ll be:
An analytical thinker and problem-solver with sharp attention to detail and focus on program delivery.A persuasive communicator who engages senior stakeholders with confidence.
A natural collaborator, inquisitive, creative, and agile.
Grounded, with integrity, maturity, and the drive to deliver real-world outcomes.
Your background might include management consulting, public service, ministerial advising, not-for-profit, or a combination of these. You’ll bring subject matter expertise in one or more of our program areas or a toolkit that spans our delivery priorities and a readiness to step into a high-impact generalist role.
We have offices in Melbourne and Sydney and will accept applications for either location.
Interesting work – Exposure to diverse projects at the intersection of government, policy, and politics.
People – Work alongside passionate, visionary, and experienced colleagues and within a broad stakeholder network.
To apply, please email [email protected] with:
Your CV
A short cover letter outlining:
Describe what your ideal role looks like
Your motivation for working at McKinnon
Any particular program area/s you’re interested in
Skills and/or experience that you can bring across our work programs
Your salary expectations
Already applied in 2025? If you’ve applied for a role with us this year, you don’t need to resubmit your application. Instead, please write to us at [email protected] answering the cover letter questions above.
This is an open-ended process with no closing date. Applications will be assessed as they are received.
Given the large number of applications expected, we will only contact those we invite to interview.
In early 2026, we will also launch a graduate and internship program EOI.
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