* Full time ongoing role
* Join a leadership group transforming education in NSW, and make a difference to students in NSW
* Ongoing Public Service senior executive band 1 role with a remuneration range of $247,865 - $272,811 per annum
* Based in Parramatta with flexible work options
About us
At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.
We ensure young children get the best start in life by supporting and regulating the early childhood education and care sector. We unlock excellence and unleash the potential of two-thirds of school children in NSW. We're proudly public and the largest education system in Australia. We nurture opportunities for every learner to develop the skills needed for their chosen career path, helping shape the industries of tomorrow.
We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples of Australia.
About the role
The Director, Operational Governance and Compliance will lay the foundation for a department-wide uplift in approach to operational governance that meets contemporary standards and anticipates future regulatory and operational complexity. They will drive and lead continuous improvement across operational governance frameworks, policy and compliance. The role provides strategic leadership and expert advice to senior executives to strengthen governance maturity and embed a culture of accountability, transparency and compliance.
For more details about this role, please click here to view the Role Description.
About you
You are a strategic and outcomes-focused leader with demonstrated expertise and extensive experience in policy management and transforming and implementing operational governance frameworks and processes that strengthen outcomes and compliance. Key to your success will be your ability to build strong, collaborative relationships and grow capability while helping others recognise the critical role of operational governance and compliance.
As a leader you will join an executive team focused on driving improved ways of working to deliver meaningful and long-lasting impact. You will be collaborative, courageous, agile, and disciplined about delivering outcomes for the students of NSW.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
* Appropriate tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as education, business, management, social sciences or communications, and/or equivalent knowledge and experience.
* Hold a valid clearance to work with children (Working with Children Check).
* Demonstrated expertise in governance, compliance, or policy leadership roles within a complex public sector or similarly regulated environment.
* Experience in successfully transforming, building and implementing governance frameworks and processes.
* Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
* Demonstrated extensive experience at a senior level in the management of a large complex organisation.
* Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.
As a condition of employment, successful candidates who have not previously worked for the department will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number. This option would allow the WWCC to naturally expire without further communication needed with the employee. The employer obligations under the WWCC would apply for duration of the WWCC's validity (up to 5 years).
Interested?
To apply for this role, please submit an online application and attach your resume along with a cover letter which describes how your capabilities, knowledge and experience make you the best person for this role.
Applications Close: 11:59pm on Sunday, 18 January 2026
Contact: For enquiries about the recruitment of this role, please contact Sabrina Lau –
Please note the team is not available to provide support during the Christmas closedown period 25 December January 2026. Please reach out via from Monday, 12 January 2026.
Please note:
We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. Candidates on a talent pool may be chosen and directly offered employment in other or similar roles (ongoing or term) in the near future.