Principal Public Policy

DISCOVER A BRIGHTER FUTURE 

At South32, we’re meeting the challenge of enabling a sustainable future through our focus on responsibly producing commodities critical for a low-carbon world.

As a collaborative, caring and inclusive company, there’s no better place to make a genuine difference. Together we’re making a positive, global impact that has the potential to change lives.

Whatever career path you choose, we’ll support you every step of the way to learn, grow and succeed. So join us, step towards a brighter future and leave your legacy.

ABOUT PERTH OFFICE

South32’s corporate office is based in the heart of Perth’s CBD. The corporate office houses key functions including HR, Finance, Corporate Development, Investor Relations, Group Risk and Technical. Our office is conveniently located a 5-minute walk from the Perth Underground Train Station. 

WHAT SOUTH32 OFFERS

• 26 weeks full-paid, or 52 weeks half-paid parental leave for primary carers 
• Annual short-term incentive bonus that recognises both your individual performance and the overall success of the business
• The opportunity to become a shareholder of South32 through our share plans
• We prioritise building strong connections within our communities, ensuring that our actions lead to meaningful change.

ABOUT THE ROLE 

This permanent position will preferably be based in our Perth CBD offices. We embrace work-life balance benefits and operate a flexible hybrid model combining office collaboration with remote work.

As Principal Public Policy, you will provide strategic public policy insight across our organisation to help shape South32's approach to critical issues.

In this role, you'll work closely with internal teams to develop well-informed policy positions that align with our values and business objectives. You'll represent South32's perspective through meaningful advocacy, helping to foster our valuable relationships with industry associations.

Your expertise will support our Government Relations team navigate policy complexities and nurture stakeholder partnerships. Your contributions will ensure we maintain a consistent approach to public policy matters that impact our operations and communities.

Reporting to the Group Manager, Government and Public Policy, other key responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Monitor emerging public policy trends that matter to South32, raising awareness across our teams about how these developments may shape our future direction
• Provide thoughtful guidance on managing complex policy issues, ensuring our approach reflects both our values and strategic objectives while maintaining alignment across all business functions
• Influence our organisation's path forward by bringing policy considerations into strategic conversations, helping us anticipate challenges and identify opportunities in a changing landscape
• Support meaningful industry engagement by maintaining our association frameworks and developing materials that effectively communicate our positions, while fulfilling our reporting commitments

ABOUT YOU 

You will have experience and demonstrate capability in the following: 

• Bring your deep understanding of government processes and policy-making strategies to help us navigate regulatory environments with confidence and foresight
• Apply sophisticated research methodologies to measure effectiveness and provide meaningful context for our operations, transforming complex information into actionable insights
• Draw on your proven ability to identify business impacts and opportunities, crafting thoughtful responses that align with our strategic objectives
• Cultivate productive relationships across all levels of our organisation, using your natural influencing skills to shape business decisions and management approaches
• Thrive in dynamic situations by applying analytical thinking to resolve ambiguity, with experience implementing governance frameworks that support sound decision-making
• Communicate with clarity and purpose, working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to facilitate positive outcomes, supported by previous policy-making or similar public policy roles

Qualifications for this position are: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

South32 is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate.  We provide a recruitment process that is fair, equitable, and accessible to all, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

This job advert will close on 19th May 2025