Associate Director, Policy

The Cabinet Office NSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working

Career Development

Work-Life Balance

Wellbeing Support

Inclusive Culture

Job summary

The Cabinet Office NSW is seeking an Associate Director, Policy to lead policy and reform initiatives within SPIR, EEE and EHIP, while managing teams and projects and delivering clear advice to senior executives, Ministers’ offices and the Premier.

Successful applicants may be placed directly into roles or included in a talent pool for future opportunities, with flexibility around duration and opportunity to contribute to high‑level decisions at statewide scale.

Qualifications

• Policy leadership: extensive experience leading complex policy development or reform.
• Qualifications & expertise: relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience; legal policy roles if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy and reform initiatives across SPIR, EEE and EHIP.
• Manage teams and projects in fast-paced environments.
• Provide clear and impactful advice to senior executives, Ministers’ offices and the Premier.

Skills

Policy Leadership

Qualifications & Expertise

Project & People Management

Strategic Analysis

Stakeholder Engagement

Integrity

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

• Lead high-impact social policy that informs decisions at the heart of NSW Government
• Talent pool and temporary Clerk Grade 11/12 opportunities ($149,739 - $173,174 per annum) available up to 30 June 2027 with the potential for extension or ongoing employment, based in Martin Place, Sydney CBD, with flexible work options
• Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

About the Role

TCO has three policy groups - Social Policy and Intergovernmental Relations (SPIR), Energy, Environment and Evidence (EEE), and Economic, Housing and Infrastructure Policy (EHIP).

This recruitment round will be for SPIR and focused on individuals with experience in social policy. Legal policy professionals also encouraged to apply.

As an Associate Director, Policy you will lead policy and reform initiatives, manage teams and projects, balance competing priorities and provide clear and impactful advice to senior executives, Ministers’ offices and the Premier. This is a senior policy role at the centre of government, offering exposure to high-level issues and the opportunity to contribute to decisions with statewide impact.

Successful applicants may be placed directly into roles or included in a talent pool for future opportunities. If talent pooled, you may be contacted for ongoing and temporary opportunities in the same role or grade that become available over an 18-month period.

To learn more about the role please review the Role Description. The role requires several focus capabilities. For more detail please see the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework.

We're Looking For

We’re looking for people who enjoy a fast-paced environment where details matter, relationships are just as important as subject matter expertise, and integrity is critical. Individuals who have experience in social policy are encouraged to apply, including:

• education, including schools and early childhood
• community services, disability reform
• intergovernmental relations
• justice, including criminal and civil law.

Key required capabilities, qualifications and experience include:

• Policy Leadership: Extensive experience leading complex policy development or reform
• Qualifications & Expertise: Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience. For applicants interested in legal policy roles, legal qualifications and strong legal experience will be highly regarded.
• Project & People Management: Demonstrated capability managing teams, priorities and projects in fast‑paced environments.
• Strategic Analysis: Proven ability to deliver high‑quality, evidence‑based advice on complex and sensitive issues.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Substantial experience working with senior stakeholders either within government (e.g. senior executives and ministerial offices) or in an equivalent and complex context outside government.
• Integrity: Experience working in a highly ethical and professional environment, with sound understanding (or ability to quickly develop a sound understanding understanding) of legislative and policy frameworks.

The Selection Process

The selection process will include a written task, a presentation and a formal panel interview.

You can request reasonable adjustments at any stage by contacting [e-mail]. If you are unsure whether an adjustment would be helpful, you are encouraged to get in touch for a confidential discussion. We are committed to providing information in accessible formats. If you need information in an alternative format (for example, large print, accessible Word, or Easy English), please contact [e-mail].

Why Join Us?

• Flexible Working: Broad range of flexible working arrangements
• Career Development: Ongoing learning through expert-led sessions, online training, and professional development opportunities
• Work-Life Balance: Flex time accrual for extra hours worked (for non-executive roles) based on a 35-hour standard week
• Wellbeing Support: Access to employee assistance program, fitness passport program, and wellbeing initiatives
• Inclusive Culture: Staff-led networks including the Disability Employee Network, Aboriginal Staff Advisory Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Network, and Young Professionals Network

Salary: Clerk Grade 11/12. Package includes base salary ($149,739 - $173,174) plus superannuation (12%) and leave loading.

About The Cabinet Office

Leading policy, strategy and integrity from the heart of government

The Cabinet Office (TCO) enables robust Cabinet decision-making by ensuring policies and proposals submitted for consideration are of the highest quality and in line with government priorities. Learn more about the department and a career at The Cabinet Office.

Our Commitment

The Cabinet Office acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders past and present. We recognise and learn from the strengths of First Nations peoples of New South Wales and their continuing connection to, and unique cultural and spiritual relationship with, Country.