Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy Australia

Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy Australia

Description -

Role Summary

The Head of Australia Government Affairs & Public Policy (GA&PP) leads HP’s engagement with the Australian Federal Government, State and Territory Governments, the Department of Defence, regulators, industry bodies, and other key public-sector stakeholders to advance HP’s business objectives and public policy priorities.

The role is responsible for developing and executing integrated government affairs, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement strategies that strengthen HP’s market position and support growth across Australia’s government, defence, education, healthcare, and commercial sectors. The position serves as the primary advisor to HP ANZ leadership team on Australia’s evolving political, regulatory, and public-sector landscape, with particular focus on technology policy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, privacy, sustainability, workforce capability, trade, and public procurement.

Working closely with business, sales, legal, compliance, and regional GA&PP teams, the Head of Australia GA&PP identifies opportunities and risks arising from legislative, regulatory, and policy developments, shapes external engagement strategies, and helps position HP as a trusted technology partner to government. The role also supports public-sector market access by building relationships with key government decision-makers, influencing policy and procurement frameworks, and aligning advocacy efforts with HP’s commercial priorities and long-term growth objectives in Australia.

Key Responsibilities

Policy & Regulatory Strategy (Australia)

• •Develop and execute GA&PP strategies specific to Australia, aligned with global and Greater Asia priorities.
• •Monitor, analyse, and influence legislative, regulatory, and policy developments across relevant ministries, agencies, and local governments.
• •Anticipate policy, regulatory, and geopolitical risks in Australia and advise senior leadership on business implications.

Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• •Build and maintain trusted relationships with key Australian Government departments and agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Finance, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Defence, Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), Austrade, state and territory governments, and relevant regulators.
• •Develop and execute strategic engagement plans with ministers, ministerial offices, parliamentarians, senior public servants, regulators, and policy influencers.
• •Represent HP in government consultations, industry roundtables, advisory groups, and public policy forums.
• •Partner with industry associations, chambers of commerce, technology councils, and think tanks to advance policy positions aligned with HP's business interests and technology leadership.

Public-Sector Market Access & Procurement Engagement

• •Support public-sector market access by aligning policy advocacy with public procurement priorities and frameworks in Australia.
• •Engage with procurement authorities and policy owners to improve understanding of government buying processes, digital transformation initiatives, and technology adoption priorities.
• •Partner with sales, legal, and compliance teams to ensure government engagement strategies support public-sector opportunities while maintaining strict compliance.

Internal Advisory & Coordination

• •Act as a trusted advisor to Australia leadership and regional/global stakeholders on public policy and government engagement matters.
• •Translate complex policy and procurement developments into clear, actionable business impact assessments.

Ensure alignment between Australia-specific positions and global corporate policy stances.

Advocacy & Positioning

• •Develop policy positions, briefing materials, and government submissions tailored to the Australian context.
• •Support executive-level engagement with senior government officials.
• •Position the company as a credible, long-term partner to the Government of Australia.

Advocacy, Positioning & Risk Management

• •Develop policy positions, briefing materials, and government submissions tailored to the Australian context.
• •Support executive-level engagement with senior government officials. Identify and manage regulatory, reputational, and compliance risks related to government engagement and public procurement.
• •Support crisis response related to government, regulatory, or public-sector issues in Australia.

Team & Program Management (as applicable)

• •Lead or matrix-manage GA&PP resources and external advisors supporting Australia.
• •Manage public policy programs, consultants, and trade association participation.
• •Contribute to capability building across APJ GA&PP, particularly on Australia public-sector engagement.

Additional Requirement: Public-Sector Procurement Experience & Networks (Australia)

Candidates must demonstrate strong experience and credibility in Australia’s public-sector procurement ecosystem, including:

• •Proven experience engaging with Australian public-sector procurement bodies and policy owners at national and/or local government levels, including but not limited to defence and education.
• •Deep understanding of Australia’s government procurement frameworks, rules, and processes, including large-scale IT, digital, and services procurement.
• •Established professional networks and relationships within relevant ministries, agencies, and affiliated public institutions.
• •Experience shaping or influencing procurement-related policy discussions (e.g., digital government, cloud adoption, data, cybersecurity, ESG or sustainability criteria).
• •Ability to navigate Australia’s consensus-driven decision-making environment and align long-term relationship building with commercial and policy objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• •Four-year or Graduate Degree in Law, Public Policy, Business Administration, or any other related discipline or commensurate work experience or demonstrated competence.
• •10–12+ years’ experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs, public-sector procurement, or related fields.
• •Demonstrated expertise in Australia’s political, regulatory, and public procurement systems.
• •Track record of senior-level engagement with government officials and public-sector stakeholders in Australia.
• •Strong political acumen, judgment, and ability to operate in a complex, matrixed multinational organization.
• •Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English required.

Preferred Background

• •Prior experience in technology, digital services, or other regulated industries.
• •Previous roles in government, regulatory agencies, public-sector procurement bodies, or policy advisory organizations in Australia.
• •Experience coordinating Australia public policy positions within a regional (APJ) or global framework.

Knowledge, Skills & AI Acumen

• •Government affairs, public policy, regulatory and legislative processes, lobbying, and public‑sector procurement.
• •Strong understanding of business strategy, economics, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
• •Policy analysis and development, regulatory affairs, public affairs, and thought leadership.
• •AI acumen: working knowledge of artificial intelligence and data‑driven technologies, including AI governance, responsible AI, data protection, cybersecurity, and emerging global and Australia‑specific AI regulatory and policy frameworks; ability to translate AI policy developments into clear business and government engagement strategies.
• •Program and project management capability in complex, cross‑functional environments.

Cross‑Organizational Capabilities

• •Effective and persuasive communication with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• •Results orientation with strong judgment and learning agility.
• •Digital fluency and customer‑centric mindset.

Impact & Complexit