Senior Associate (befristet), Public Affairs (m/w/d)

Job Description

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is currently seeking for a motivated Senior Associate to join our Public Affairs team, based in our Australian headquarters in Melbourne.

The Public Affairs team supports CIP's activities in Australia and New Zealand by delivering accurate, evidence-based analysis of political, policy, and regulatory developments. Our purpose is to politically de-risk our investments and to help create investor value by identifying risks and opportunities that inform insightful investment decisions and guide project development.

We work efficiently, coordinating information and priorities across multiple funds, and projects-spanning a development pipeline of more than 15 GW and technologies such as offshore and onshore wind, solar, battery storage, pumped hydro and green hydrogen. The team ensures forward-looking, efficient collaboration across these diverse interests.

Central to our approach is a customer-centric and service-oriented mindset. We assist internal stakeholders and project teams by building meaningful relationships within the organisation and with external partners, including federal and state governments, joint venture partners, and industry. As trusted advisors, we help ensure CIP is well positioned in a complex and rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Role

As a Senior Associate for Public Affairs (Australia and New Zealand), you will be responsible for monitoring and interpreting political, policy, and regulatory developments across Australia and New Zealand, providing clear analysis and guidance to support CIP's projects and investments. You will advise internal stakeholders on relevant government affairs and communication matters and engage with both internal and external partners to advance CIP's strategic priorities. You will also contribute to communication, marketing, and branding initiatives at organisational and portfolio level, and help coordinate Public Affairs efforts across CIP funds and projects to ensure alignment and consistency. You will help shape strategic energy policies during a critical decade for climate and decarbonisation as well as have access to high-impact networks and opportunities for career growth within the energy sector.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & advocacy - Develop and implement policy, government and communication strategies supporting renewable energy growth and project-specific needs (covering wind, battery storage, pumped hydro, green hydrogen, solar and offshore technologies).
• Insight - Provide political insight and scenario planning to senior leadership, tracking legislative, regulatory, and fiscal developments.
• Stakeholder engagement - Build and maintain relationships with Ministers' offices, Members of Parliament, bureaucrats, regulators, local authorities, industry associations, and think tanks. Represent CIP at briefings, panels, and industry events.
• Evidence-based policy work - Lead consultation responses, policy papers, position statements, and manifestos using robust data and analysis. Monitor emerging policy opportunities and sector risks (e.g., approvals, government tenders and support mechanisms, grid connection and access rights).
• Internal coordination & communication - Collaborate with internal policy, communications and technical teams to ensure cohesive messaging, and effective internal reporting. Brief executives and colleagues on political developments and recommended actions.

You

We're seeking a candidate with proficient academic foundations - a bachelor's or postgraduate degree in public policy, political science, communications, environmental studies or a related field - and a solid understanding of Australia's energy market and government processes. You bring relevant experience in political or policy-focused environments, along with an existing network across federal and state governments or renewable-energy advocacy.

Experience coordinating media relations, press engagement, and public-facing communication is valuable.

Qualifications

• Public affairs / regulatory skills - Minimum 5-7 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, or policy/regulatory roles, with experience in energy, renewables, or infrastructure sectors.
• Knowledge of government and regulatory frameworks - understanding of government across all levels, energy systems and regulatory frameworks.
• Communication & political judgment - Effective written and verbal skills, with experience producing briefings, government submissions, and engaging senior stakeholders. A keen awareness of political dynamics and the ability to translate complex legislative topics into easily understandable communication.
• Stakeholder & project management - Effective relationship-management skills; experienced at multi-party collaborations and managing cross-functional campaigns. Ability to priorities and deliver under pressure on multiple initiatives.
• Team collaboration - Comfortable managing own workload and in teams; supervisory experience, such as mentoring junior staff or directing consultants.
• Interest in renewable energy - Commitment to making changes that facilitate the energy transition and realize net-zero outcomes.
• Policy-aware & strategically forward-thinking professional - Want to shape the future of renewable energy across Australia and New Zealand.

The process

Please apply online as soon as possible as applications will be processed on an ongoing basis. For questions related to the role, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]. We do not include CV's and Cover Letters sent by email.

As we continue to improve our candidate experience, diversity and avoid unconscious bias, please avoid having a photo in your CV. We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality for all applicants.

Please be aware that we will not accept speculative CV submissions for any of our roles from recruitment agencies, and any unsolicited candidate submissions will be exempt from any payment expectations and ownership.

CIP Fund Solutions' commitment to diversity and inclusion

CIP Fund Solutions is committed to securing a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone feels respected and heard.

A diverse workforce allows CIP Fund Solutions to achieve results through different approaches and solutions to task execution and problem solving. We want all our employees to have equal opportunities for personal growth and career opportunities regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, or ethnicity.