Description:
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Sydney, Canberra, or Melbourne – Flexible Hybrid Role
Tech Council of Australia
The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) is Australia’s peak industry body for the tech sector. The TCA comprises over 150 members including Australian-based unicorns, scaleups and global tech companies with an Australian focus. As stewards of the Australian tech sector – Australia’s third largest industry behind mining and banking – we advise Australian governments, businesses, and the wider community to boost tech investment and improve regulation.
You will be joining a high-calibre team of tech industry veterans, policy and legal minds, and passionate community-builders. You will play an active and public role with our partners and members to help build connections and grow the ecosystem.
Mission of role
The TCA sits uniquely in the Australian tech industry in producing a consistent, high-quality output of original research. The TCA’s research function operates as a support to the policy team in developing the evidence base for our policy advocacy. Members may also draw on the research function to undertake bespoke projects from time to time to assist in particular advocacy goals.
The Head of Research will independently oversee the TCA’s research program, working closely with our policy and commercial leads to target research outcomes to TCA priorities. You will also have a commercial mandate to source funding for this program from members and partners.
You will undertake research work directly in-house where there is capacity; you will otherwise be responsible for sourcing and briefing the TCA’s wide range of consulting partners who provide data, drafting and strategic input for TCA validation.
Key outcomes this role is responsible for
Design the TCA’s annual research program
- Develop an annual program of research releases in consultation with staff, members and stakeholders
- Design and write or commission research reports
- Develop and trial regular publications e.g., pulse checks, data reports, newsletter updates
- Develop and maintain relevant databases for the sector (e.g., funding tracking)
- Pitch projects for support from members and partners
Undertake, supervise and quality assure the delivery of the TCA’s research work
- Determine a TCA research calendar and booking system
- Develop and manage project plans for research projects and research activity
- Undertake the analysis and production of TCA reports in a timely manner
- Oversee delivery of externally produced reports – briefing, negotiating terms and conducting comprehensive validation
- Quality assurance of methods and output
Help disseminate the TCA’s research program
- Partner with TCA staff and members to agree the output and audiences for research work
- Partner with TCA staff and members to organise the publication and release of TCA research, as well as content derived from them (member notes, stakeholder briefings, videos, presentations, social media posts etc)
- Build TCA research capabilities internally within the Policy and Research teams to enable delivery of both internally and externally produced research
- Work with PR agency and funding partners to plan and execute the launch of reports
- Present TCA research findings to funding partners and members
- Present and advocate for TCA research work at events and in the media
Source funding for TCA research program work as required
- Identify funding sources for TCA projects, including negotiating fees and in-kind contributions from members and partners
- Develop and pitch funding proposals
- Manage the research budget
Guide an expert advisory group
- Grow and convene the TCA’s expert research advisory group to help oversee TCA research program and projects
Our ideal candidate will have
- A strong interest in Australia’s technology sector and public policy landscape
- Experience briefing consultants on report work, or experience as a consultant producing reports
- Confidence in pitching and presenting back research work at CEO/Founder level
- Ability to negotiate commercial terms for funding, and to manage a budget
- A good understanding of evidence-based policymaking, and a passion for connecting entrepreneurs with government and research institutions
- Proven capability in producing independent quantitative and qualitative research; econometric skills are a bonus
- Enthusiasm to get on the tools and work in a small team
- Ability to present findings publicly and in the media
Remuneration and conditions of employment
- Remuneration excluding superannuation: $160,000–180,000, negotiated based on experience
- Additional benefits including salary sacrificing benefits, monthly phone allowance and training budget
- Position is a full-time permanent role, with a six-month probation period
- Position based in Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne, with a minimum of three days per week in the office
- Executive
- Full-time
- Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
- Industries
- Public Policy Offices