[Hiring] Senior Government & Community Relations Manager @Hipcamp

Role Description

Hipcamp is looking for a strategic, highly independent government affairs leader to help build a safe, durable future for low-impact camping on private land across Australia. In this role, you will lead Hipcamp’s government affairs strategy across Australia with a focus on:

• Reducing regulatory risk
• Strengthening relationships with decision-makers
• Creating conditions for long-term market growth and Host retention

You will work primarily at the state and local level, focusing on:

• Navigating council planning systems
• Engaging planning departments and elected officials
• Participating in public processes
• Building strategic partnerships that can influence policy and regulatory outcomes

This is a highly autonomous role. You will be the primary government affairs leader on the ground in Australia and a solo operator. You will need to be comfortable operating independently, setting your own priorities, making sound strategic decisions, and moving work forward without frequent direction or day-to-day support from the broader team.

You are a sophisticated relationship builder and strategic operator who understands that government affairs is a long game. You will need to be exceptionally good at:

• Building trust
• Understanding different perspectives
• Navigating adversarial conversations
• Finding paths toward constructive outcomes

What you'll do

• Own Hipcamp’s government affairs strategy across Australia, identifying and prioritising regulatory risks and opportunities that impact Host growth and retention.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with local and state decision-makers, including councillors, mayors, council CEOs, planning staff, tourism officials, and state government officials.
• Navigate council planning systems and public processes to influence outcomes.
• Develop strategies to prevent, mitigate, and resolve regulatory threats.
• Represent Hipcamp in public discourse and the media on land use, tourism, outdoor recreation, agriculture, and regional economic development.
• Build strategic partnerships with organisations to influence state and local decision-makers.
• Develop relationships with Hipcamp Hosts and other community stakeholders.
• Use media, public affairs, community engagement, research, data, and other advocacy tools to shape our work and priorities.
• Bring the Australian government and political landscape into the broader GCR team’s strategic planning.
• Develop clear recommendations for senior leadership based on political dynamics and stakeholder relationships.
• Travel regularly within Australia to build relationships and participate in government processes.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in government relations, public policy, politics, advocacy or public affairs.
• Deep understanding of Australian local government planning processes.
• Proven ability to influence decision-makers and navigate complex environments.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills.
• Experience in community organising, coalition-building, and strategic partnerships.
• Strategic and analytical thinker.
• Highly self-directed and comfortable working with significant autonomy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High standards of integrity and confidentiality.
• Comfortable working remotely across time zones and travelling domestically and internationally up to 25%.

Benefits

• Compensation will be a mix of salary and stock options, highly competitive compared to similar-stage companies.
• Full health insurance and $1K in Hipcash for outdoor activities.
• Focus on results, not hours, with clearly defined goals and empowerment.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.