The United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney recognises the value of diversity and inclusion and we strongly support a culture where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from women, people of all ages and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQ+ individuals, people with disability, refugees and veterans.

The Centre is committed to providing a safe, respectful place of work and learning that fosters positive mental health and wellbeing. Maintaining our health and wellness, and supporting the health and wellness of those around us, is an important part of our daily life at USSC.

The Centre is also committed to improving accessibility in its hiring processes, so if you would like to make a request for support or reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please contact the hiring manager.

We are currently recruiting for the following positions:

• Engagement Manager
• Research Associate, Economic Security Program

Engagement Manager

• Reports to Director of Engagement and Impact
• Full-time, fixed-term, 3-year contract
• Friendly and high-performing team

As the Engagement Manager for the United States Studies Centre, you will establish effective, stakeholder-focused relationships with corporate partners, contributing to the broader impact, influence and sustainability of USSC.

Reporting to the Director of Engagement and Impact, your key responsibilities will be to:

• build excellent relationships with a range of external stakeholders, including the wider University of Sydney network
• conduct market analysis and opportunity scoping, in consultation with the Senior Management Team
• secure new corporate partnerships in coordination with the Senior Management Team
• coordinate grant applications, funding proposals, acquittals and fundraising stewardship
• manage external relations impact tracking and reporting on Salesforce
• build the Centre’s strategic affairs community to support the ongoing reputation building of the Centre amongst policymakers, business and the public in Australia and the United States.

The ideal candidate will have superb organisation and relationship skills, a “can do” approach, strategic vision for growth and the agility to adapt to evolving plans and priorities.

The Engagement Manager will play a critical role in growing and optimising Centre engagement, improving the sustainability of the Centre through diversifying funding sources and increasing Centre impact through goal-setting, tracking, reporting and embedding an approach to impact throughout a broad range of activities.

About you

• Tertiary qualifications in media, communications and/or business – or a relevant discipline or experience
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to develop internal and external relationships
• Proven experience in business development and/or philanthropy, preparing persuasive communications, presentations and reports for stakeholders
• A strong interest in US and Australian politics and history, with a working knowledge of the university sector, think tanks and the Australian and/or United States research funding landscape
• Experience with and understanding of database management (preferably a CRM such as Salesforce)
• Knowledge of government departments and corporate sector processes, and a network of government and corporate contacts will be highly regarded

About the Centre

The Centre’s strategic goals for 2023 are:

• Relevance and engagement: Our work will tackle key national interest questions, be recognised for analysis of the US and its role in the world, and be a timely and indispensable voice in the Australian public policy debate
• Sustainability: We will strengthen the Centre’s financial viability by diversifying financial support, creating ongoing value for funding bodies, and growing reserves for a long-term endowment
• Excellence and impact: We will enhance the Centre’s intellectual vibrancy with initiatives to attract and retain the best talent in our field, invest in our people, build organisational capability and improve career certainty
• Culture: We will deliver initiatives to strengthen a culture of excellence, accountability, professionalism, integrity, diversity, inclusion and collaboration

Apply now

• Download the Position Description for more details
• We are processing applications as they are received so please apply asap to maren.koeck@sydney.edu.au.

Research Associate, Economic Security Program

Are you interested in how Australia, the US and our partner countries are managing the collision of economics and national security in our foreign, trade and security policies? How about how industry and civil society will need to adapt to this new reality?

Questions around economic security – be they about trade coercion, financing national security, strategic infrastructure, or supply chains – bring significant new challenges for government and industry in both Australia and the United States. The Economic Security Program at the US Studies Centre has been established to help interpret these developments and provide practical solutions and ways forward for the Australian and US governments, private sectors, and civil societies.

The Program is seeking an early career researcher to support its work including inputting to publications, events, administration, presentations, and travel. A typical week for a Research Associate could include researching and distilling information on economic security issues, attending roundtables and notetaking, assisting to bring together events from inception to competition, publishing short pieces and public speaking, and fulfilling other administrative tasks as required.

Applicants with an economics or trade background are preferred but not essential. Knowledge of economic and security trends and recent events is highly desirable. Most importantly, the candidate should bring a positive, can-do attitude and willingness to learn and try unfamiliar tasks.

• Position description — Research Associate, Economic Security Program

Sponsorship/work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Apply now

Applications close at midnight, Sunday 19 March

We require the following information:

• Expression of interest (max. 1-page)
• CV or resumé (max. 3-pages)
• Contact details for two referees
• Writing sample (max. 10-pages)

To apply or enquire about the position, please email the Director of the Economic Security program hayley.channer@sydney.edu.au

Casual tutors

If you are interested in a role as a casual tutor for the United States Studies Centre, please fill out the Casual Tutor Expression of Interest form. See our unit of study pages for more information on what we teach at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Fellowships

Learn more about fellowships offered by the United States Studies Centre.

Internships

Learn more about the United States Studies Centre's internships and placements for students:

• Internships in Australia
• International placement programs