Role: Principal Impact Strategist

Location: Australia-wide

Employment Type: Fixed-term, 12-months, Full-time

This is a rare opportunity to shape enterprise‑wide social impact at scale, in one of Australia’s most complex and consequential sectors.

Goodstart is seeking a highly accomplished senior individual contributor to support the strategy, execution, and evolution of our social impact agenda. Operating at enterprise level, this role sits at the centre of strategy, influence, and systems change across the early years ecosystem.

Our Role:

Reporting to the Chief Impact Officer, you’ll drive high‑priority initiatives, advise senior leaders, and partner with influential internal colleagues and external stakeholders to unlock impact within and beyond our organisation.

This role requires strong judgement, political and sector literacy, and the ability to move confidently between big‑picture strategy and hands‑on delivery.

Your Impact:

• Lead complex, cross‑portfolio initiatives and new strategic opportunities from concept to execution.
• Identify and progress opportunities for systems‑level change across the early years ecosystem.
• Act as a trusted adviser to executives & colleagues on social, economic and sector trends.
• Ensure strong governance, risk management and accountability across the social impact portfolio, embedding child safety, equity and wellbeing.
• Build and lead strategic partnerships that unlock influence, funding and impact.

What Goodstart can offer you:

• Flexible work arrangements giving you choice about when and how work will be done in order to better manage your work and non-work needs
• Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging benefits which reduce your taxable income to increase take home pay
• Access to discounted childcare (up to 15%)
• Fitness Passport - access to gyms and pools for you and your family at a heavily discounted price
• Discounted health care and access to employee wellbeing program with BUPA
• Exclusive discounts on travel, gym memberships, Apple and Dell products, and more.
• Free annual flu shot (optional)
• Option to purchase extra leave for even greater work life balance  
• First Nations Support and Cultural Leave
• Work for a company that has an aspiration to be globally recognised for early years practice and learning outcomes
• Gain significant investment in your growth and development with support, tools, training and experiences that will truly enhance the progress and outcomes for children in their earliest years.

You’ll bring to the table:

You are a strategic operator, comfortable working at enterprise level without needing a large team behind you. You bring authority, clarity, and the confidence to influence senior leaders and external partners.

• Executive-level experience in enterprise strategy, social impact, policy, or complex systems change.
• Deep understanding of economic, social or public policy, with the ability to translate insights into strategic action.
• Strong analytical capability, using data and evidence to inform decisions and drive impact.
• Proven ability to lead high-stakes initiatives and navigate complex internal and external stakeholder environments.
• Outstanding communication and advisory skills, including the ability to influence senior leaders, partners, and decision-makers.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to harness expertise across teams to deliver high-impact outcomes.

• Current Working with Children Check

How to apply

Click ‘Apply Now’ and submit your application.

We review applications as they are submitted. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible for your best chance to progress to the next stage of the process.

Have a question? Contact our Talent Acquisition Team via email recruitment@goodstart.org.au

At Goodstart we are deeply committed to Reconciliation and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. For further information and support email deadlycareers@goodstart.org.au

If you are a placement agency or external recruiter, please refrain from submitting resumes to Goodstart unless you have a signed staffing agency agreement with us. Goodstart will not be responsible for or pay any placement fees for candidates submitted by agencies that are not approved suppliers. Any resumes received from agencies or external recruiters without an agreement will be reviewed by Goodstart and may be shared with our internal recruiting team for their reference.

Supporting our people and protecting our children

We’re an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We’re also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check.