The People
Patrons
Emeritus Professor Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE
Professor The Hon Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO
Professor Suzanne Cory AC
Emeritus Professor David de Kretser AC
Professor Peter Doherty AC FAA FRS
Professor Ian Gust AO
Professor Margaret Hamilton AO
Professor The Hon Barry Jones AC
The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG
Professor David Penington AC
Professor Fiona Stanley AC FAA FASSA
Board of Directors (Volunteer)
Financial, Audit and Risk Management Committee (Volunteer)
The Committee provides independent assurance and advice to the Board on Penington Institute’s financial management, risk oversight, internal controls, compliance, and external accountability.
Carmel Arthur OAM (Chair)
Shobhana Chetty BSc, M.Acct
Bruce Lanyon B Bus, MBA, FCA, SF Fin
Positions Vacant
There are 2 positions vacant:
Director of Strategic Communications
- Take the lead driving the communications function of a highly respected drug policy research non-profit
- Deliver high-impact communications and campaigns that inform the public, strengthen frontline responses and shape drug policy.
- Competitive leadership salary and flexible hybrid working arrangements
About Penington Institute
Frank, fiercely independent and non-partisan, Penington Institute is a drug policy and education non-profit committed to freedom from serious drug harms. Our mission is to help people and institutions, regardless of their status or beliefs, to minimise serious harms from legal and illicit drugs.
We encourage both personal and collective responsibility. Guided by principles of honesty, freedom, fairness and effective government, we distil and share real world experience and research to build safe and healthy communities. Our work spans public education, policy research, strategic guidance and training and support for those on the frontline.
The opportunity
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced and driven communications leader to step into a senior strategic role within a respected and influential drug policy and education organisation.
As Director of Strategic Communications, you will lead all external communications, marketing, media and public relations activity for Penington Institute. You will play a critical role in shaping how the organisation is seen, heard and understood, strengthening its brand profile, growing its influence, and driving its communications, campaigns, and community engagement goals across Australia and internationally.
Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will set strategic direction while remaining closely connected to delivery, guiding high-impact campaigns and communications in a complex and often contested environment.
Based at Penington Institute’s Carlton office, this role offers flexibility through hybrid working arrangements and the opportunity to collaborate with a highly capable, committed and supportive team.
About you
You are a senior communications leader with the experience, credibility and confidence to operate at both strategic and operational levels. You bring a strong track record of building and leading teams, shaping narratives and delivering communications and campaigns that educate a variety of audiences and influence decision-makers.
You will bring:
- Proven experience in senior communications, marketing, campaigning or engagement roles, with responsibility for setting strategy and leading teams or functions.
- Strong leadership capability, with the ability to motivate, mentor and support a small, high-performing team while fostering collaboration across the organisation.
- Sound strategic judgement and political acumen, with the ability to navigate complex, sensitive and sometimes polarising issues.
- A demonstrated ability to translate complex research, evidence and policy into clear communications output for diverse audiences.
- Experience leading integrated communications and campaigns across multiple channels and target audiences.
- A collaborative and pragmatic leadership style, suited to an organisation operating with limited resources but with high ambition.
Experience across corporate, non-profit, and government environments will be highly regarded.
Employment conditions
- Competitive salary base commensurate with experience + 12% superannuation + generous tax-effective not-for-profit salary packaging options.
- Full-time or part time (minimum 0.8 FTE), 2-year fixed-term position available, extension possible.
- This role may require work outside of regular work hours and flexibility.
Download a copy of the position description here.
How to apply
To apply please email your resume and cover letter outlining your skills, experience and why you want to work for Penington Institute to: a.rolle@penington.org.au
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and referee checks.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.
We are hoping to recruit quickly so there is no deadline. Apply as soon as possible to be considered for the role.
Communications and Campaigns Manager
- Challenge yourself working in a complex and stimulating field
- Deliver important campaigns about overdose awareness and cannabis regulation
- Competitive salary + super and NFP salary packaging benefits
About Penington Institute
Frank, fiercely independent and non-partisan, Penington Institute is a drug policy and education non-profit committed to freedom from serious drug harms. Our mission is to help people and institutions, regardless of their status or beliefs, to minimise serious harms from legal and illicit drugs.
We encourage both personal and collective responsibility. Guided by principles of honesty, freedom, fairness and effective government, we distil and share real world experience and research to build safe and healthy communities. Our work spans public education, policy research, strategic guidance and training and support for those on the frontline.
The opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional to use their well-rounded skills to influence significant positive change in a complex but fulfilling field of work.
With a background in communications management, campaign management, marketing, and/or media and PR, you will be responsible for delivering a variety of activities, projects and campaigns across multiple channels and for diverse audiences. This will involve everything from managing report launches from beginning to end, supporting the delivery of multi-channel awareness and advocacy campaigns, through to in person and online event planning, or undertaking stakeholder relations and outreach activities.
Based at Penington Institute’s Carlton office, this role offers flexibility through hybrid working arrangements and the opportunity to collaborate with a highly capable, committed and supportive team.
About you
- You will have 5+ years’ experience in communications and campaigns management
- You will bring a clear passion for communications and campaigns management, with a knack for finding the best ways connect messages with target audiences
- You are energised by complex issues and communications challenges
- You will be an all-rounder with broad communications and campaign experience, ideally from a variety of workplaces across private/corporate, non-profit and/or government sectors.
- You will be detail-oriented, highly organised and confident translating complex research and policy content into clear public facing communications
- You are flexible, adaptable and thrive working in small, collaborative, and high achieving teams.
Employment conditions
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience + 12% superannuation + generous tax-effective not-for-profit salary packaging options.
- Full-time or part time (minimum 0.8 FTE), 2-year fixed-term position available, extension possible.
- This role may require work outside of regular work hours and flexibility.
Download a copy of the position description here.
How to apply
To apply please email your resume and cover letter outlining your skills, experience and why you want to work for Penington Institute to: a.rolle@penington.org.au
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and referee checks.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.
We are hoping to recruit quickly so there is no deadline. Apply as soon as possible to be considered for the role.