* Lead statewide regulation of electoral funding and lobbying, setting priorities and directing audit and policy teams to uphold compliance and public trust.
* Oversee public funding schemes, stakeholder education, and statutory guidance while driving digital modernisation of regulatory processes.
* Act as NSWEC?s principal authority on electoral funding and lobbying matters, advising on complex matters and exercising delegated powers to ensure legislative integrity.
About the NSW Electoral Commission
The New South Wales Electoral Commission delivers trusted and independent systems, processes, oversight and engagement that support democracy in New South Wales. The Commission?s vision is to maintain confidence in the integrity of the democratic process and make it easy for people to understand and participate.
The Commission?s work includes:
* Running and regulating elections
* Communicating and engaging with current and future voters, key NSW community stakeholders and NSW election participants; and
* Investigating possible offences and enforcing electoral and lobbying laws such as the Electoral Act 2017 and the Electoral Funding Act 2018.
About the Role
You will lead strategy and operations across campaign finance compliance and lobbyist oversight; manage public funding claims and audits; oversee the Third Party Lobbyists Register; provide authoritative advice to the Electoral Commission; and steward key regulatory platforms (FADMS, Funding & Disclosure Online and the Lobbyists? portal). Reporting to the Executive Director, you?ll guide a small team to deliver impactful, data driven regulatory outcomes.
The NSW Electoral Commission is seeking a dynamic leader to take on the role of Director, Electoral Funding & Lobbying. This newly created position is pivotal in safeguarding the integrity of NSW?s democratic processes. You will lead regulatory oversight of electoral funding and lobbying, manage audits of public funding claims (over $35?40M distributed), and drive education initiatives to ensure compliance across a diverse political participant base. Working closely with operations and technology teams, you?ll set the strategic agenda, deliver accountability, and modernise regulatory platforms?all while applying strong financial acumen and legislative expertise to uphold transparency and trust.
The NSW Electoral Commission must maintain public confidence in the electoral system of NSW and requires, therefore all employees meet strict political neutrality standards. These include requirements relating to political party memberships and affiliations with election candidates, third-party campaigners and elected members. Applicants are asked to disclose any information that may be relevant to making an assessment about their political neutrality as part of their application. Full details about the political neutrality requirements for employment with the Commission are in its Political Neutrality Policy
The role is an Ongoing full-time position.
For further information regarding the role please download the Role Description
Key knowledge, experience and essential requirements
As the successful candidate, you will have:
* Significant experience designing and leading risk-based audit programs and managing multi-disciplinary teams in complex regulatory environments.
* Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage public sector budgets.
* Deep understanding of the NSW electoral system and experience navigating politically sensitive contexts with integrity and discretion.
* Relevant degree (e.g., accounting, politics, law).
* Eligible for membership of a professional accounting body, and/or relevant certification in accounting or auditing to be commenced within 6 months of the date of appointment.
* Political neutrality with no affiliation to political parties, candidates, third party campaigners or other election participants that are inconsistent with our Political Neutrality Policy.
* A satisfactory criminal record check result.
The NSW Electoral Commission is committed to maintaining public confidence in the integrity of the electoral system. The NSW Electoral Commission expects that employees refrain from membership of any political party and from engaging in political activity which could be seen as reflecting adversely on the strict political neutrality of the NSW Electoral Commission. Applicants who are seen to be or are active in political activities should disclose such information as part of their application.
How to apply
You should include a covering letter and an up-to-date resume which clearly detail your skills and experience as relevant to this role. Please submit your application to DirectorEFandL@KornFerry.com
For further queries, contact Jonathan Lai from Korn Ferry at DirectorEFandL@KornFerry.com
Applying for a role in the NSW Public Service
For more information on how to apply for a role in the NSW Public Service, please refer here
The NSW Electoral Commission embraces diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating a workplace that reflects the population of New South Wales. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and encourage women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, mature-age people, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this role.
If you have any questions about applying or would benefit from an adjustment to the recruitment process to help you perform your best please contact talent@elections.nsw.gov.au. For more information on recruitment adjustments visit I Work for NSW Adjustments for individual needs.
Applications received and completed after closing time will not be considered for selection.
The selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.
We also offer
* Employee Assistance Program
* Access to Fitness Passport
Other information
Your employment will be subject to National Criminal Records Check to determine your suitability for employment.
A talent pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles of the same work classification that may become available for filling over the next 18 months.
This role is based mainly in our Elizabeth Street, Sydney office with some flexible arrangements agreed with the Executive Director, Safeguards and Integrity Group.
Applications Close: Sunday 18th January 2026 at 11.59pm.