Director, Statewide Operations Network
Public Service Senior Executive Band 1
Early Learning Commission – Delivery and Engagement
Location: Parramatta (remote/hybrid working arrangement)
Expressions of Interest are being sought from eligible ongoing and temporary employees across the Government Sector to relieve in the role of Director, Statewide Operations Network for 6 months (with possibility of extension).
About the team
At the NSW Early Learning Commission children come first, always.
We work to ensure children are safe, respected and supported to thrive in early childhood education and care across NSW. Through strong regulation and evidence-informed reform, we help ensure children experience high-quality early learning that supports their development, wellbeing and lifelong learning.
We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.
Primary purpose of the role
The Director, Statewide Operations Network leads a specialist investigations team and an operational workforce of approximately 100 staff to undertake frontline regulatory assessment and approvals, investigations and related and compliance and enforcement activities.
To learn more about the role, please click here to download the role description.
About you
You instinctively understand that children come first.
* You understand that in the early learning space, investigations and enforcement work is not separate from quality; it is the foundation of it - and that connection matters to you.
* You are a seasoned operational leader with a background in investigations, enforcement or a high-stakes compliance environment. You know how to run a serious incident response. You understand evidence, procedural fairness and the weight of decisions that affect people's lives and livelihoods. You have done this work and you have led others through it.
* You lead with authority and care. You set high standards for rigour, consistency and integrity, and you hold your teams to them by creating the right culture. You understand the work is emotionally demanding and you build a professional, psychologically safe environment where people are supported to do hard work well, and to keep doing it.
* You are analytically sharp. You can look across a caseload, identify patterns and know when something is systemic rather than isolated – and you are driven to address systemic issues.
* You work well with others – including law enforcement, child protection agencies and collaborators within the Commission – because you understand the value of those relationships and you know how to build trust across organisational boundaries.
* You bring a complementary perspective to the leadership team. Where others bring deep regulatory generalist experience, you bring regulatory decision making and investigative depth – and you understand how those two things work together.
Who can apply?
Permanent and temporary staff across the Government Sector are eligible to apply. Please ensure you have your manager's approval.
We set a high bar for this role – because children deserve it. But we know that exceptional leaders rarely tick every box. If you have most of what we are looking for and one area where you'd continue to grow, we encourage you to apply. The NSW Early Learning Commission is genuinely interested in building a strong and diverse leadership team and are open to that conversation.
How to apply
To submit your Expression of Interest application, click 'Apply Now' below. Ensure you have the following documents and details ready to submit within the application:
* Cover letter (maximum of 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role.
* Resume (maximum of 5 pages).
* Contact details of two senior referees who can speak to your professional impact, and a third referee from within a team you have led who can speak to your leadership style and successes.
* Confirmation that your line manager is aware of this opportunity and is prepared to release you for the required period.
Closing date: 11:59pm on 26 March 2026
Have some questions?
For role enquiries, please contact:
Name: Daryl Currie
Role: Acting Early Learning Commissioner
Email:
Number: 0407 444 211