Are you ready to take on a pivotal role that combines strategic thinking and political acumen?
The NSW State Emergency Service is seeking a Manager Government Relations to lead government relations in a high-impact environment. This is your chance to influence and advise senior leaders and government departments, making a real difference in the community.
This exciting opportunity is based in Wollongong, with flexible working arrangements available. You’ll be part of a volunteer-based agency dedicated to saving lives and creating safer communities.
Learn more about the NSW Government recruitment process and access a free cover letter template to get started.
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Manager Government Relations Salary and Overview
| Position Title | Manager Government Relations, Clerk Grade 9/10 |
| Organisation / Entity | NSW State Emergency Service |
| Location | Wollongong & The South Coast |
| Work Type | Contract / Temporary |
| Base Pay | $129,464 to $142,665 plus 12% superannuation |
| Closing Date | 14/09/2025 |
About the Manager Government Relations at NSW State Emergency Service
The role of Manager Government Relations is crucial in driving the preparation and coordination of high-quality, timely information and responses to critical requests. You will work closely with the Minister’s Office, NSW Government departments, and external committees to develop succinct briefings and deliver impactful results. This position requires someone with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills to influence and advise government departments and senior leaders effectively.
As part of the NSW State Emergency Service, you will be contributing to a trusted volunteer-based emergency service, known for its excellence in community preparedness and emergency response. With over 10,000 volunteers, the NSW SES is committed to protecting and supporting the diverse communities of NSW. Your role will be instrumental in ensuring that the needs of key government stakeholders are met with precision, enhancing the agency’s mission to save lives and create safer communities.
Why Manager Government Relations Is a Great Opportunity
This role offers a competitive salary and the chance to make a significant impact in the public sector. Here are some compelling reasons to apply:
- Full-time temporary role until 28 August 2026, with the possibility of extension.
- Hybrid working environment, allowing for a balance between office and home.
- Attractive salary range of $129,464 to $142,665 plus 12% superannuation.
- Ideal for someone with strong communication skills and experience in executive level briefings.
Application Requirements for Manager Government Relations
NSW SES Application Process
To ensure your application stands out, follow the application instructions exactly. Submitting all required documents in the correct format is crucial. Missing or incorrect submissions may lead to rejection without review. Here’s what you need to include:
- A cover letter (maximum of one page) responding to the essential requirements and your interest in the role.
- Responses to each of the targeted questions (maximum of one page per answer).
- An up-to-date resume of no more than four pages detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role.
There are four key capabilities you’ll want to address clearly in your cover letter. To make each example compelling and memorable, use the STAR method—this helps the hiring panel visualise you performing successfully in the role. If you’d like to see how this works in practice, download the free NSW Government cover letter template. It shows you exactly how to structure your letter for maximum impact and readability—especially for busy hiring managers.
What to Include in Your Manager Government Relations Cover Letter
To apply for Manager Government Relations, use your cover letter to introduce yourself to the Hiring Manager and clearly explain how your experience relates to this role. In your cover letter, make sure to use the exact language from the job ad wherever possible.
For this role, you must address all of the following capabilities:
- Possess qualifications or significant relevant experience in Communications, Government, or a related field with strong knowledge of government relations.
- Demonstrate proficiency in building and maintaining relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Be a strong communicator with excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
- Apply strategic thinking to manage complex and sensitive issues and provide clear, concise advice.
For each of the capabilities, aim to include a clear, STAR-based example that shows exactly how you’ve demonstrated this skill in a previous role. Don’t forget to also address the target questions listed below—these should also follow the STAR method. Remember, the target questions are separate from your one-page cover letter, so use your cover letter to get straight to the point and make a strong first impression, while saving more detailed examples for the target questions.
If you’re finding this process overwhelming or time-consuming, the easiest way to get help is to let me write your application for you. For $89, I’ll take care of everything—all you need to do is send me the job URL and I’ll get started. It’s the simplest, most stress-free way to apply for a government job.
Target Questions for Manager Government Relations
Think of targeted questions as interview-style questions that you get the chance to answer in writing as part of your application. You should use the STAR method when responding to these questions. I’ve included some examples below to help guide your response.
- Can you provide an example of how you have led the preparation and coordination of timely, high-quality briefings to meet the needs of senior government stakeholders, such as a Minister’s Office or government department?
- Can you share an example that highlights your ability to influence outcomes, manage competing priorities, and maintain strong, effective relationships with key stakeholders?
Manager Government Relations Application Checklist
| ✅ | Read the full job ad — Open the listing on I Work for NSW and make sure it’s a role you’re genuinely interested in. |
| ✅ | Want to apply? — Just copy the job ad URL and submit it via the Write It For Me form to get started right away. |
| ✅ | Let me do the hard part — I’ll prepare your complete application pack, tailored specifically to the role |
| ✅ | Fill in your story — You’ll receive pre-filled, easy-to-use documents with prompts to help you add your personal experience and examples. |
| ✅ | Get expert review — Send it back for a final polish from someone who’s worked on real government hiring panels. |
| ✅ | Apply with confidence — Submit a professional application that meets all the criteria—and positions you as a standout candidate. |
Candidate Profile — Manager Government Relations
Max is an accomplished executive assistant with over a decade of experience supporting C-suite leaders in fast-paced private sector environments. Known for their discretion, professionalism, and ability to anticipate the needs of senior executives, Max has built a career around high-level stakeholder engagement, diary and travel management, and executive-level coordination. Their calm under pressure, combined with strong judgement and communication skills, has made them a trusted point of contact across multiple organisations.
In a previous role within a major procurement firm, Max worked closely with state and federal government departments, gaining direct experience in navigating public sector processes, compliance requirements, and inter-agency collaboration. This role deepened their understanding of government protocols and sharpened their ability to operate confidently and diplomatically in complex environments. Max brings a rare combination of private sector efficiency and public sector insight, making them uniquely equipped to support senior leaders in a government setting.
Manager Government Relations Example Cover Letter
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am eager to bring to the Manager, Government Relations role at the NSW State Emergency Service my proven confidence in communications and government relations, built through extensive private‑sector and procurement experience.
In my previous position supporting the executive team of a large infrastructure firm, I led the preparation of policy briefs and stakeholder updates for high-level meetings with policymakers. When a regulatory change was proposed that threatened project timelines, I coordinated input from legal, operations, and executive colleagues to deliver a polished memo and presentation. That briefing prompted a meeting with a senior minister and contributed directly to securing a six-month extension for our project — ensuring continuity and saving over $2 million in potential penalties. This experience demonstrates my deep understanding of government relations and my capability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable communications.
Throughout my career, I’ve consistently excelled at building and maintaining relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. At my previous employer, I was responsible for facilitating regular engagement between the leadership team and multiple state government contacts. When a new regulation disrupted procurement timelines, I proactively organised and hosted a round‑table discussion with agency representatives, procurement officers, and internal project leads. By listening carefully, negotiating mutually acceptable solutions, and sharing transparent progress updates, I helped rebuild trust, restore collaborative momentum, and ensure all parties remained aligned — resulting in regained confidence in our firm’s reliability and a smoother path forward.
My strength in being a strong communicator with excellent research, writing and analytical skills has repeatedly delivered effective outcomes. I researched and compiled comparative case studies on emergency response procurement policies across NSW and other jurisdictions to support our leadership’s advocacy strategy. My report clearly highlighted divergences, risks, and opportunities and was used as the central piece for submissions to both our board and external agencies. This work was praised for its rigour, clarity and ability to distil dense regulatory information into persuasive, accessible insights — helping influence strategic decisions and shape our policy positioning.
Finally, I apply strategic thinking to manage complex and sensitive issues while providing clear, concise advice. During a high-pressure inquiry into supply chain disruptions, I was charged with briefing our CEO and external counsel. I swiftly analysed data across procurement, legal, and operations, identified key risk areas, and presented a clear, three-tier recommendation plan: immediate corrective steps, stakeholder communication strategy, and a medium-term resilience framework. Senior leaders commended the concise advice and logical structure — it guided proactive outreach to government partners and pre-empted reputational risk. That strategic response ultimately strengthened our credibility during a critical juncture.
I have also responded to the two targeted questions via the online application form with further details of my relevant experience.
My blend of private sector efficiency, government relations insight, stakeholder management, clear written and verbal communication, and strategic acumen align seamlessly with the NSW SES values and the demands of this role. I am excited about the possibility of applying this expertise to strengthen the SES’s engagement in emergency preparedness and response.
Thank you for considering my application. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to NSW SES’s mission.
Sincerely,
Max
Target Question Response Examples — Manager Government Relations
Can you provide an example of how you have led the preparation and coordination of timely, high-quality briefings to meet the needs of senior government stakeholders, such as a Minister’s Office or government department?
In a previous role supporting executive leadership at a major infrastructure firm, I was responsible for coordinating a comprehensive briefing for the Deputy Secretary of a state government department. The department was overseeing a program in which we were a key delivery partner, and they required a detailed update on project risks, procurement compliance, and stakeholder engagement outcomes ahead of a formal inter-agency review.
The request had a tight turnaround, with multiple streams of complex information required. I worked across our legal, commercial, and project teams to compile inputs, verify data accuracy, and ensure that the language used aligned with government expectations. I took the lead in drafting the briefing pack — framing key issues clearly, highlighting risk mitigations, and structuring the material to support decision-making.
I also prepared our CEO with a succinct talking points brief and coordinated internal rehearsals to ensure consistency and clarity. The final package was delivered on time and was well received by the Deputy Secretary’s office. Our structured approach and depth of information were praised for enabling productive discussion and improved alignment between our organisation and the department.
This experience reflects my ability to coordinate high-quality, timely communications for senior public sector stakeholders, ensuring content is strategic, accurate, and tailored to the audience’s operational context.
Can you share an example that highlights your ability to influence outcomes, manage competing priorities, and maintain strong, effective relationships with key stakeholders?
While working as an executive liaison during a high-stakes procurement process, I was tasked with managing competing demands between our internal leadership and multiple government agencies who were stakeholders in a $100M infrastructure partnership. Tensions had escalated due to shifting timelines and unclear expectations on both sides.
I initiated a targeted engagement strategy, starting by mapping all key stakeholders and their priorities. I scheduled structured one-on-one discussions to understand pain points and identify opportunities for alignment. At the same time, I was managing internal pressure to deliver immediate progress updates and prepare a revised project timeline. I developed a weekly status briefing that addressed both internal and external needs, and introduced a shared document portal to improve transparency.
Most importantly, I positioned myself as a consistent, neutral point of contact who was solution-focused and responsive. By reframing some of the conflicting positions and proposing phased milestones, I was able to gain support for a revised delivery framework that met the agency’s compliance requirements without derailing our internal resource plans.
This approach resolved short-term conflict and strengthened long-term relationships. The government agency cited our improved coordination in their formal project review, and we were invited to participate in future opportunities.
This example demonstrates my ability to stay calm under pressure, juggle multiple priorities, and influence outcomes by fostering trust and collaboration across complex stakeholder environments.
How to Use the STAR Method for Manager Government Relations Applications
The STAR method is a simple and highly effective way to structure your examples when responding to selection criteria or target questions in government job applications. It helps you tell a clear, concise story that shows exactly how you’ve applied a capability in a real situation.
STAR stands for:
- Situation – What was the context?
- Task – What was your responsibility?
- Action – What steps did you take?
- Result – What was the outcome?
Each part builds on the next, helping you demonstrate not just what you did, but how you did it and the value you delivered.
For example, in Max’s response to the question about influencing outcomes and managing competing priorities:
- Situation: Max was working during a high-stakes procurement process, managing tensions between internal executives and government stakeholders.
- Task: They needed to align expectations, reduce conflict, and maintain progress on a $100M infrastructure partnership.
- Action: Max implemented a stakeholder engagement plan, introduced shared communication tools, and positioned themselves as a neutral, trusted point of contact.
- Result: They achieved stakeholder alignment, delivered a revised framework, and were later invited to participate in future projects thanks to improved collaboration.
Using STAR in this way allows assessors to visualise how you work, think, and communicate — making your application much stronger.
Learn more about the STAR method here to enhance your application.
Get Your Manager Government Relations Application Ready Now
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