Job Description
Be part of City of Ryde transformational journey
Work for an organisation supporting the broader community
Newly created role, make the role your own
We are moving to the vibrant Macquarie Park location
About Us
City of Ryde, just 12 kilometres from Sydney CBD, is a place of unique lifestyle and opportunity. It is home to an engaged and culturally diverse community of around 130,000 people, and a strong and growing Smart City economy including more than 13,000 local businesses, Macquarie Park, world-class hospitals, and a leading university. All balanced with beautiful bushland, riverfront parks, open spaces, and sport facilities.
Our City is undergoing significant population growth as we address the housing crisis in a collaborative manner with the NSW State Government. Council anticipates our population to double over the next 30 years. To address this rapid population growth, Council has developed a strategy to “strike the right balance”, ensuring that employment opportunities and provision of critical infrastructure occurs with significant housing uplift.
Our council will continue to deliver a broad range of services, projects, programs, and events. We are actively committed to innovation, sustainability, resilience and providing exceptional customer experiences, and this relies on attracting and keeping great people. We offer a range of benefits, including flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing programs, a learning and development program including study support, and a reward and recognition program.
About the Role
You will be an integral part in connecting the governing body with the organisation and stakeholders. Your role will involve engaging with the Mayor and Councilors, understanding their key priorities, ensuring the City of Ryde is proactive in addressing issues and representing different community perspectives.
As part of the role, you will work closely with internal teams to drive the delivery of policy development, service delivery reforms, whilst supporting major initiatives. You will be involved in working with the communication and engagement teams to set the narrative, develop traditional & social media strategies and highlight the work of the City of Ryde.
This role will enable you to make a key difference in how we work within CoR, using your initiative and your ability to think outside the box, taking our business to the next level!
About You
We are looking for a person who has previous experience in a similar role who is politically aware and able to drive complex policies into real outcomes for our community. You will have superior stakeholder management skills with the ability to work with a variety of key people, making your mark on the team!
You will be proactively exploring opportunities working to support community initiatives and be influential in the future vision of City of Ryde - living our values and empowering our people.
In addition, you will also have:
Minimum 5 years' experience and demonstrated achievement in a political, sensitive and demanding working environment.
Minimum 5 years' experience in providing advice and executive support to elected representatives or senior executives.
Demonstrated experience and achievement in conducting research and providing policy advice.
Strong understanding of political processes and the operation of Local Government, the NSW Parliament and Federal Government, supported by appropriate experience and achievements.
Sound understanding of local government, and in particular the roles, functions and relationships of the Mayor, Councillors, and the Council's administration, as well as political processes, Council meeting practices and procedures.
Demonstrated outstanding written communication skills, including a record of achievement in preparing speeches, media releases, briefing notes and appropriate supporting materials.
Demonstrated achievement in developing and maintaining an extensive network of contacts across a range of political, government and non-government organisations.
High level experience in effective verbal communication including liaising with partners, politicians, senior advisors, the public, media, service providers, interested sponsors, and the ability to represent an organisation at meetings and functions.
Tertiary Qualifications in public policy, media, communication, government processes, or equivalent, and/or extensive experience in similar fields of expertise.
Your commencing annual salary will range from $133,904.75 to $154,734.37 + Superannuation, dependent on your experience and qualifications.
Culture & Benefits
Commitment to providing opportunities for work/life balance
Hybrid work from home and office arrangements available for eligible positions
Flexibility regarding start and finish times to suit your lifestyle
Work 37.5 hours and enjoy one RDO every 3 weeks
Long service leave after 5 years, then accrued monthly
18 weeks paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
3 extra leave days at Christmas to ensure you have time to enjoy the holiday
Annual performance reviews and Award increases
Opportunity to sign up as a fitness passport member
Various health & well-being initiatives (i.e. flu vaccinations, etc.)
How to apply
Please ensure you give full answers to the online application questions, showcasing your abilities and experience. Your answers, in conjunction with your resume, will determine if you are invited to an interview.
Please note you do not need a “password” to use our on-line application system, however you have the option save and return to your application prior to the closing date. In addition to answering the online questions, this position requires you to attach your Resume to complete the application process. Please note, you are not required to submit a cover letter or a statement addressing selection criteria.
Please ensure you attached a resume (maximum 2 pages) and cover letter to be considered for the vacancy.
Closing Date: Sunday 15th February 2026 at 11:30pm
If you would like to know more, please see the position description or contact Kelly Hawkins, Talent Acquisition Specialist (regarding application enquiries on 9952 8480) or Josh Hatten, Director – Office of the Mayor and CEO (regarding vacancy questions on 02 9952 8301).
City of Ryde is committed to Equal Employment and Child Safety
Work for an organisation supporting the broader community
Newly created role, make the role your own
We are moving to the vibrant Macquarie Park location
About Us
City of Ryde, just 12 kilometres from Sydney CBD, is a place of unique lifestyle and opportunity. It is home to an engaged and culturally diverse community of around 130,000 people, and a strong and growing Smart City economy including more than 13,000 local businesses, Macquarie Park, world-class hospitals, and a leading university. All balanced with beautiful bushland, riverfront parks, open spaces, and sport facilities.
Our City is undergoing significant population growth as we address the housing crisis in a collaborative manner with the NSW State Government. Council anticipates our population to double over the next 30 years. To address this rapid population growth, Council has developed a strategy to “strike the right balance”, ensuring that employment opportunities and provision of critical infrastructure occurs with significant housing uplift.
Our council will continue to deliver a broad range of services, projects, programs, and events. We are actively committed to innovation, sustainability, resilience and providing exceptional customer experiences, and this relies on attracting and keeping great people. We offer a range of benefits, including flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing programs, a learning and development program including study support, and a reward and recognition program.
About the Role
You will be an integral part in connecting the governing body with the organisation and stakeholders. Your role will involve engaging with the Mayor and Councilors, understanding their key priorities, ensuring the City of Ryde is proactive in addressing issues and representing different community perspectives.
As part of the role, you will work closely with internal teams to drive the delivery of policy development, service delivery reforms, whilst supporting major initiatives. You will be involved in working with the communication and engagement teams to set the narrative, develop traditional & social media strategies and highlight the work of the City of Ryde.
This role will enable you to make a key difference in how we work within CoR, using your initiative and your ability to think outside the box, taking our business to the next level!
About You
We are looking for a person who has previous experience in a similar role who is politically aware and able to drive complex policies into real outcomes for our community. You will have superior stakeholder management skills with the ability to work with a variety of key people, making your mark on the team!
You will be proactively exploring opportunities working to support community initiatives and be influential in the future vision of City of Ryde - living our values and empowering our people.
In addition, you will also have:
Minimum 5 years' experience and demonstrated achievement in a political, sensitive and demanding working environment.
Minimum 5 years' experience in providing advice and executive support to elected representatives or senior executives.
Demonstrated experience and achievement in conducting research and providing policy advice.
Strong understanding of political processes and the operation of Local Government, the NSW Parliament and Federal Government, supported by appropriate experience and achievements.
Sound understanding of local government, and in particular the roles, functions and relationships of the Mayor, Councillors, and the Council's administration, as well as political processes, Council meeting practices and procedures.
Demonstrated outstanding written communication skills, including a record of achievement in preparing speeches, media releases, briefing notes and appropriate supporting materials.
Demonstrated achievement in developing and maintaining an extensive network of contacts across a range of political, government and non-government organisations.
High level experience in effective verbal communication including liaising with partners, politicians, senior advisors, the public, media, service providers, interested sponsors, and the ability to represent an organisation at meetings and functions.
Tertiary Qualifications in public policy, media, communication, government processes, or equivalent, and/or extensive experience in similar fields of expertise.
Your commencing annual salary will range from $133,904.75 to $154,734.37 + Superannuation, dependent on your experience and qualifications.
Culture & Benefits
Commitment to providing opportunities for work/life balance
Hybrid work from home and office arrangements available for eligible positions
Flexibility regarding start and finish times to suit your lifestyle
Work 37.5 hours and enjoy one RDO every 3 weeks
Long service leave after 5 years, then accrued monthly
18 weeks paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
3 extra leave days at Christmas to ensure you have time to enjoy the holiday
Annual performance reviews and Award increases
Opportunity to sign up as a fitness passport member
Various health & well-being initiatives (i.e. flu vaccinations, etc.)
How to apply
Please ensure you give full answers to the online application questions, showcasing your abilities and experience. Your answers, in conjunction with your resume, will determine if you are invited to an interview.
Please note you do not need a “password” to use our on-line application system, however you have the option save and return to your application prior to the closing date. In addition to answering the online questions, this position requires you to attach your Resume to complete the application process. Please note, you are not required to submit a cover letter or a statement addressing selection criteria.
Please ensure you attached a resume (maximum 2 pages) and cover letter to be considered for the vacancy.
Closing Date: Sunday 15th February 2026 at 11:30pm
If you would like to know more, please see the position description or contact Kelly Hawkins, Talent Acquisition Specialist (regarding application enquiries on 9952 8480) or Josh Hatten, Director – Office of the Mayor and CEO (regarding vacancy questions on 02 9952 8301).
City of Ryde is committed to Equal Employment and Child Safety
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Policy Advisor position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in North Ryde offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.
