Department of Communities and Justice
Reference number
Occupation
Executive Director
Work type
Full-Time
Location
Sydney City
Salary Information
Closing date
03 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Assistant Commissioner, Custody Southern/Northern
* Based in Sydney
* Ongoing position available
* Total Remmuneration Package starting from: $310,886 to 348,305
Your role
The Assistant Commissioner, Custody Southern/Northern provides senior executive leadership across two major Custodial Corrections regions within Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW). You will lead large, complex, and dispersed operational environments to ensure the safe, secure and humane management of people in custody while driving a high‑performance, rehabilitative correctional system. This role plays a pivotal part in delivering CSNSW's strategic objectives to enhance community safety, reduce reoffending and strengthen operational excellence across public and privately operated correctional centres.
What you'll do
As the Assistant Commissioner, Custody Southern/Northern you will:
* Lead the operational delivery and performance of custodial services across two major regions, ensuring alignment with the CSNSW Strategic Plan and government priorities.
* Oversee correctional centre operations, including privately operated facilities to ensure consistent, safe, secure and accountable service delivery.
* Foster a rehabilitative culture across custodial environments where all staff contribute to reducing reoffending and maintaining humane conditions for people in custody.
* Provide high‑level strategic advice, reporting and guidance to the Deputy Commissioner, Security, Custody & Community on operational matters, risks, emerging issues and system performance.
* Lead regional management teams, sub‑region Commanders and operational units, ensuring resources, budgets, assets and workforce capability are managed effectively.
* Champion integrated collaboration with other CSNSW branches to support seamless, end‑to‑end service delivery across custody and reintegration pathways.
* Strengthen risk management frameworks, ensuring robust systems, continuity plans, and staff capability are in place to maintain a safe and resilient custodial environment.
* Build constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including national jurisdictions, unions, NGOs and community organisations.
Click HERE to read more about the role
What we're looking for
* Extensive senior leadership experience in large, complex, high‑risk operational environments.
* Deep knowledge of corrections operations, incident management and compliance within a large-scale justice or human services context.
* Proven ability to lead culture change, enhance workforce capability and drive continuous improvement across diverse operational teams.
* Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation capability, including experience working with unions, regulatory bodies and external partners.
* Highly developed decision‑making, strategic thinking and communication skills, with the ability to influence at executive and Ministerial levels.
* Demonstrated experience managing significant budgets, operational assets and distributed workforces.
* A values‑driven executive committed to safety, accountability, integrity and reducing reoffending.
We do work that really matters
Corrective Services NSW delivers professional correctional services and programs to reduce reoffending and create safer communities. We manage inmates in custody and supervise offenders in the community, working closely with courts, releasing authorities and partner agencies to support rehabilitation, reintegration and community safety.
Are you ready to join us?
Click Apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role and an up‑to‑date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close: Tuesday 3 March 2026 at 11:59pm AEDT.
Got a question?
If you would benefit from an adjustment during the recruitment process or wish to discuss alternate application methods, please contact: DCJ Senior Executive Recruitment Team on
Inclusion and Diversity
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve, including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, women, LGBTIQ+ people and carers.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.
Please note that interviews are anticipated to take place on the 19th and 20th of March 2026.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application