Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer of the Lowy Institute is an important and dynamic leadership role at Australia’s leading international think tank. Given the Institute’s stakeholders include world leaders, business leaders and internationally-regarded thinkers, this role will give you access to people and networks that shape salient global issues. It would suit a high performing professional, perhaps from a legal or finance background, who has a natural inclination for efficient process, and displays pragmatism and good judgement.

The Lowy Institute

The Lowy Institute is Australia’s leading international think tank, providing high-quality research and distinctive perspectives on the international trends shaping Australia and the world. It is celebrating its twentieth year since it was founded by Sir Frank Lowy AC.

The Lowy Institute hosts events with leading national and international figures (for example, in the past few months, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ngozi Okonko-Iweala, Anthony Albanese, Sanna Marin and Bill Gates) and publishes influential research on the world written from Australia’s perspective. It aims to deepen the international policy debate in Australia and to give Australia a greater voice on the international stage.

The Chief Operating Officer Role

The COO will be a key direct report to the Executive Director and will work closely with that role, the Research Director and the other members of the Institute including its Board of Directors, the Executive and its researchers. The COO will lead the Institute’s small, high performing operations team. The COO is a critical leadership role within the structure of the organisation (which is circa 40 employees). The COO will play a central role in the efficient day-to-day operations of the organisation which allow it to meet its longer-term strategic goals. This could include running or involvement in the organisation’s: logistics and high-profile events, revenue development, internal policies and processes (including HR), financial reporting, legal, etc.

The stakeholders to the Institute, including the Board, are accustomed to high quality and efficient operations in the organisations they interact with. Therefore, the bar is set high to ensure logistics run smoothly, and details are attended to. As stated above, the role will work shoulder-to-shoulder with the Executive Director and in this sense has elements of a Chief of Staff role. The COO is a member of the Institute’s Executive, which meets weekly. This role is based in Sydney at the Institute’s headquarters in Bligh Street.

The Person

To be successful in this role you will need the intellect and comportment to interact with world leaders and a distinguished Board but also be flexible and willing to get into the detail. You may have trained in your early career in a profession such as law, finance or management consultancy and transitioned into a broader operational role such as Chief of Staff, at a later point in your career. You will have a strong eye for detail and the ability to communicate in an efficient but compelling manner. You will display the highest levels of pragmatism, judgement and common sense. You need to be flexible in your approach and help support policies and processes which are tailored to the Institute rather than larger or more complex organisations.

The Lowy Institute is a relatively small and collegial organisation and therefore the style of the individual as a colleague is equally important. You will also have a good sense of humour and the ability to work well under pressure.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.

If you are interested in a confidential conversation about this role and meet the criteria above, please send your CV to Joe Karsay, Partner at Mason Wilhelm..

Research Assistant (part-time)

The Lowy Institute, Australia’s leading international policy think tank, is seeking a Research Assistant (part-time, 3 days a week) to join its Pacific Aid Map team.

About the role

Under the guidance of the Institute’s Indo-Pacific Development Centre Deputy Director, the Research Assistant will collect and analyse data for the Pacific Aid Map, which tracks the flow of foreign aid to the Pacific. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing aid flow data, collating the information in Microsoft Excel and subsequent analysis.

About you

The candidate should have strong quantitative skills and excellent proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

The successful candidate will have a solid knowledge of Pacific Islands dynamics and/or the desire to develop this. The candidate should also possess excellent writing skills, with exceptional attention to detail. Knowledge of Mandarin is an asset, but not essential.

We are interested to hear from a diverse range of high calibre individuals with something unique to offer.

The successful candidate will join the organisation at a level commensurate with experience, and with salary and benefits set accordingly.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to recruit@lowyinstitute.org.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.

For additional information regarding the role please contact Lowy Institute recruitment via the email above or 02 8238 9000.

Receptionist and Events Assistant

The Lowy Institute, Australia’s leading international policy think tank, is currently seeking a full-time Receptionist and Events Assistant. The person in this role is the first point of contact for all visitors to the Institute and ensures the smooth operation of the reception area, including greeting visitors, managing phone and email enquiries and coordinating meeting rooms. The person will also work with the Institute's events team to deliver our in-person events schedule, which includes many influential and high-profile guests.

This is an interesting and busy role working with a small, supportive and energetic operations team.

About the role

The primary responsibilities of the role include:

• Managing all aspects of reception, including phone and email enquiries, greeting visitors and managing meeting rooms
• Assisting with events hosted at the Institute, including event registrations, greeting visitors and set-up/pack down
• Working with the events team to make travel bookings for Institute events
• Coordinating catering and event suppliers
• Assisting with event administration, including responding to event enquiries
• Managing roundtable set-up, including catering requests
• Maintaining the Institute’s customer relationship management program and its data integrity
• Managing stationery and office supplies
• Assisting with ad hoc administration tasks

About you

This role requires the successful candidate to have excellent communication skills as well as a high attention to detail. Ideally, the candidate will have experience in a front-of-house or reception role. Previous events experience and proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics CRM is desirable but not essential.

We are interested to hear from a diverse range of high calibre individuals with something unique to offer.

The successful candidate will join the organisation at a level commensurate with experience, and with salary and benefits set accordingly.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to recruit@lowyinstitute.org.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.

For additional information regarding the role please contact Lowy Institute recruitment via the email above or 02 8238 9000.

Climate change

The Lowy Institute, Australia’s leading international policy think tank, has a Research Fellow (climate change) position available as it embarks on a new initiative expanding its work on the increasingly complex challenges facing Indo-Pacific developing economies, including those in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and South Asia.

To support this new program of work, we are recruiting a Research Fellow focused on climate change policy in Indo-Pacific developing economies. The precise focus of the role will depend on the expertise of the successful candidate however the Institute is particularly interested to hear from candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas: renewable energy, climate finance, resilience and adaptation, and international climate policy as these relate to developing economies, especially those in the Indo-Pacific.

About the role

Under the overall guidance of the Institute’s lead economist, the Research Fellow will drive the Institute’s work on climate change policy in Indo-Pacific developing economies. They will lead policy research projects as well as contribute as a member within a collaborative and multidisciplinary team. In addition to producing original high impact policy research, the Research Fellow will also produce regular analysis and commentary on key policy issues and engage in outreach activities including events, podcasts, and media. Travel for research, events, and stakeholder engagement will also be involved.

About you

Candidates should demonstrate a strong capacity in the area of climate change finance and policy as this relates to developing economies and the ability to produce original research, insights, and policy ideas grounded in relevant experience in research, international development, government/policy, and/or industry. The successful candidate will have strong knowledge and familiarity with Indo-Pacific developing economies and/or the desire to develop this. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

We are interested to hear from a diversity of high calibre individuals with something unique to offer.

The successful candidate will join the organisation at a level commensurate with experience, and with salary and benefits set accordingly.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to recruit@lowyinstitute.org.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.

For additional information regarding the role please contact Lowy Institute recruitment via the email above or 02 8238 9000.