This is a rare opportunity to lead a team at the intersection of heritage protection, sustainable development, and government decision-making, helping Queensland grow while safeguarding the stories that define us.
Lead people at the point where heritage, development, and government decisions meet.
Queensland's heritage tells powerful stories, of place, culture, innovation, and identity. This is a rare opportunity to lead the team at the intersection of heritage protection, sustainable development and government decision-making, helping Queensland grow while safeguarding the stories that define us.
As Manager, Development Assessment and Archaeology, you will lead a multidisciplinary team delivering development assessment and archaeology functions for State heritage places. The role demands strong people leadership, sound governance, and the ability to lead change in a complex public sector environment. While technical capability matters, your success will be defined by how you lead others, navigate competing priorities, and drive consistent, high-quality and timely outcomes.
The Role
Reporting to the Director Heritage, you will oversee the Development Assessment and Archaeology function within the Heritage Unit, responsible for regulatory decision making and the provision of expert advice under key legislation including the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, Planning Act 2016 and Commonwealth Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018.
You will work across government, customers, and industries to manage the statutory assessment of complex development proposals. To achieve outcomes, you will be experienced in strengthening business practices and guiding technical officers to achieve heritage outcomes that balance protection with progress. Your leadership will influence how heritage is assessed, conserved, and valued across Queensland.
What You'll Do
You will:
Lead and develop a team of heritage and archaeology professionals in a high-volume regulatory environment.
Oversee statutory development assessment, including implementing sound processes for the provision of technical responses to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
Provide clear, balanced advice on complex heritage matters to senior executives, the Minister and Cabinet.
Build and maintain strong relationships with First Nations peoples, local and Australian governments, industry, customers, and the Queensland Heritage Council.
Improve governance, performance reporting and ways of working to support accountability and continuous improvement.
Set and role model a respectful, inclusive and psychologically safe workplace culture.
You Will Demonstrate
Experience leading high performing teams and managing change in complex organisations.
The ability to influence, negotiate, and provide sound advice at senior levels.
Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly develop expertise in, heritage and planning regulatory frameworks.
Experience leading regulatory functions, projects, policies, or programs, ideally in a public sector context.
A strong commitment to workplace health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion.
What You'll Bring
We are seeking a capable, credible leader who understands how to deliver outcomes with and through others.
Extensive technical heritage or planning expertise is not essential (though highly valued); this capability also sits within the team. Strong leadership, sound judgement, and comfort operating in a government environment are critical.
Ready to lead with purpose?
If you are a people centred leader motivated by public value and capable of guiding teams through complexity, we encourage you to apply. Your leadership will help shape how Queensland honours its past while building its future.
Applications to remain current for 12 months.
Job Ad Reference: QLD/678838/26
Closing date: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Occupational group Management