Deputy secretary development assessment and sustainability

Shape your world. Shape how NSW grows—and how we work together to deliver it

• Be at the forefront of once-in-a-generation planning reform
• Permanent full-time opportunity
• Office location based in Parramatta with flexible working supported
• TRP from $410,276 to $460,168 including superannuation, commensurate with experience

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the NSW Government's most high‐impact portfolios—at the centre of decisions that will define how communities grow, how housing is delivered, and how infrastructure is realised across the state.

As Deputy Secretary, you will influence the most significant development decisions in NSW while driving system‐wide reform to deliver faster, more consistent and outcomes‐focused planning.

Hear more about the Deputy Secretary Development Assessment and Sustainability role and its lasting impact from our Secretary, Kiersten Fishburn.

You will lead a large, complex division responsible for development assessment, state significant development and infrastructure approvals, post‐approval and compliance across NSW.

As the delegated decision‐maker for some of NSW's most significant and complex developments, you will make confident and technically robust decisions and lead high‐profile programs and authorities, including the Housing Delivery Authority and Development Coordination Authority, strengthening coordination across government departments, streamlining pathways and improving system performance. You will set clear strategic direction across a high‐performing executive team, aligning priorities across multiple functions and driving consistent, high‐quality performance.

This role brings together policy, technical expertise and executive leadership to modernise the planning system, strengthening consistency, coordination, timeliness and performance.

• Provide trusted, strategic advice to Ministers, Cabinet and senior government leaders
• Lead and align a large executive cohort to deliver consistent, high‐quality outcomes
• Exercise statutory decision‐making authority on complex, high‐value proposals
• Drive major programs and reforms that enable housing and infrastructure delivery
• Strengthen cross‐government coordination and system performance
• Embed evidence‐based decision‐making and continuous improvement
• Build a high‐performing, inclusive and values‐driven culture

You are a transformational, strategic executive with the ability to operate confidently in complex, high‐pressure environments. You balance technical expertise with leadership, and you care about building capable teams, strong culture and an environment where people can do their best work. You build strong relationships and collaborate effectively across government, industry and community stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.

• Deep expertise in planning, development assessment, infrastructure or sustainability
• A track record leading large, complex portfolios with multiple stakeholders
• Strong judgement and decision‐making capability in high‐profile settings
• Experience delivering major programs with system‐wide impact
• Political acumen and understanding of government processes
• The ability to influence at the most senior levels across government, industry and community
• A clear focus on delivery, outcomes and performance

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline and extensive executive management leadership in organisations with multiple stakeholders, complex issues management and high‐level outcome delivery
• Thorough working knowledge of the machinery of government and the complexity of operations and processes at all levels of government and proven expertise to lead and implement major program delivery in that context.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. This role is subject to standard pre‐employment checks, including a criminal record check.