Head of Strategy & Commercial Partnerships

Export Finance Australia is Australia’s export credit agency.

For almost 70 years, Export Finance Australia has helped Australian businesses grow and succeed internationally with finance to secure opportunities, expand into new markets and diversify their presence. We support critical minerals and defence sectors, finance projects that strengthen economic resilience and advance net zero, and back Australian investment in sustainable infrastructure.

Working with banks, other Government agencies and international partners, we back Australia’s exporters, supply chain businesses and industries, contributing to a more stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific while advancing Australia’s trade, investment and economic security objectives.  Due to some internal moves, we are now seeking to add a Head of Strategy & Commercial Partnerships to the team.

The Head of Strategy & Commercial Partnerships supports the development and execution of Export Finance Australia’s strategic priorities and drives commercial outcomes through strategic partnerships, market engagement and growth initiatives. Working closely with the Institutional and Business Financing business lines, the role identifies and develops opportunities that expand market reach, strengthen customer and referral pathways, and contribute to sustainable business growth.

The role connects strategy with commercial execution by providing strategic advice, coordinating enterprise planning and building partnerships across financial institutions, industry, government and relevant market ecosystems. It ensures strategic priorities translate into clear actions, measurable outcomes and stronger market positioning.

Your new role

Location: Sydney
Role Type: Full-time, Permanent

About you

Commercial Partnerships and Growth

• Develop and execute a commercial partnerships strategy that supports the commercial objectives of EFA business lines and consistent with the overall enterprise Strategy.
• Identify, assess and cultivate partnerships with banks, non-bank lenders, industry bodies, government agencies, trade organisations and other relevant ecosystem participants.
• Partner with business line leaders, internal stakeholders and frontline teams to build strong referral pathways, originate opportunities and convert strategic relationships into qualified commercial outcomes.
• Be a strategic adviser to the Executive and senior leadership team on commercial opportunities with financial services partners as well as industry and business groups to drive value creation through partnerships, engagement plans and governance arrangements.
• Develop and implement measurement benchmarks to monitor and assess the strategic value of partnership activities and provide insights on revenue generation, pipeline contribution, market and customer access.

Market Insights and Strategic Development

• Monitor relevant domestic and international market developments, sector trends, trade flows, competitor activity and customer needs.
• Translate market intelligence into practical recommendations for business growth, portfolio development and market engagement.
• Assess priority sectors, customer segments and partnership models to identify opportunities aligned with EFA’s mandate and risk appetite.
• Develop strategic options, investment rationales and business cases for new growth initiatives and partnerships.
• Coordinate cross-functional input to progress opportunities from initial concept through to an agreed delivery pathway.

Executive and Board Support

• Develop a communications program to provide the Board, Executive and employees with data-led analysis and reporting on the Strategy and to the Chief of Staff & Chief Strategy Officer and Executive team.
• Lead planning and delivery of the Board Strategy Day and other key strategic planning forums.
• Prepare and refine high-quality Board papers, Executive submissions, briefing notes, presentations and strategic communications.
• Support decision-making by synthesising complex information, clarifying trade-offs and recommending practical actions.
• Build strong relationships across EFA to maintain alignment, momentum and accountability for agreed strategic priorities.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

Qualifications & Skills

• Relevant tertiary or vocational qualification in business, finance, economics, strategy or a related discipline and/or demonstrated experience operating in a business or commercial environment/ related field is essential.
• At least 8 years’ senior experience in corporate strategy, commercial partnerships, Commonwealth Government Business Enterprise, business development, financial services, consulting or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing strategic partnerships and translating relationships into measurable commercial outcomes.
• Experience working with senior executives and Boards in financial services, government, trade, infrastructure or public-private sector environment.
• Strong understanding of lending, corporate or business finance ecosystems, including the role of referral and distribution partners.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing outcomes without relying on direct authority.
• Strong commercial acumen, strategic judgement and structured problem-solving capability.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Ability to identify, assess and progress commercial opportunities while balancing strategic, customer and risk considerations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including concise Executive and Board-level materials.
• Strong analytical capability, including market assessment, business case development and performance reporting.

Even if you haven’t ticked every box but this role resonates with you, don't rule yourself out just yet, we'd love to hear from you!

Our benefits and culture

We are small enough to have an impact, BIG enough to make a world of difference and it starts with our people.

We support flexible working and pride ourselves in fostering a culture that is inclusive, diverse and collaborative. We are proud to be certified as a 2025 Great Place to Work for a fifth consecutive year, recognised on the 2023 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list and listed as one of Australia’s Best Workplaces for Women in 2025. 

In line with our commitment to our people, we have a comprehensive array of benefits available to our employees:

• Generous leave provisions (e.g. Annual Wellbeing day) and leave purchase opportunities
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers
• Thorough induction onboarding program
• Fitness Passport along with other Health & Wellbeing initiatives
• Gender affirmation leave
• Income Protection Insurance
• Community volunteering
• and many more!

Our headquarters is based in Sydney CBD, and we have a national presence across Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Eligibility

Australian Citizenship - To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must hold Australian Citizenship at the time of application.

Security Clearance - To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.

How to apply

Applications close: 8 November 2026.  

Interviews will occur in parallel, so please apply ASAP.
Enquiries: Careers@exportfinance.gov.au      
  
To apply, please email your CV to Careers@exportfinance.gov.au      

By choosing to apply, you agree to the recruitment privacy policy.

We invite and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, people with disability and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

If you are a candidate with a disability, let us know how we can provide you with additional support.

About us

Export Finance Australia is Australia’s export credit agency.  

The reason our people join us, stay with us and grow with us is because they wholeheartedly believe in our purpose. They can see the impact we create for our customers.

We are a highly purpose-driven organisation. We seek to create an inclusive culture that values our customers and employees. Our people are expected to champion this and play a key role in achieving those outcomes. In working towards our strategy, our people display our IMPACT leadership behaviours of Frank & Fearless, Dexterous & Agile and Careful & Diligent

For more information about us, please refer to our website. 

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be considered on this occasion.