Chief Executive Officer

Watermark Search International; Sydney; On-site; AUD 280,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Watermark Search International – Sydney CBD NSW is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (Public Service Senior Executive Band 3) to lead IPART. The role drives independent regulatory decisions, pricing, policy and advisory outcomes benefiting NSW communities and businesses.

You will partner with the Chair and Tribunal, shape IPART's future, oversee operations, and provide intellectual leadership across government and the broader community on pricing, policy and investigations.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within a regulator, government agency, public institution or similarly complex organisation.
• Proven ability to deliver organisational performance, transformation and culture.
• Strong understanding of economic regulation, public policy or related governance frameworks.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Sound judgement, integrity and commitment to public value.
• Ability to lead through complexity while balancing government, regulated entities and communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead IPART’s strategic directions and operations with accountability for performance.
• Provide strategic leadership on pricing, policy, licensing and compliance matters.
• Oversee expert advice, research and support to the Tribunal.

Skills

Senior leadership

Regulator experience

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Public policy understanding

Governance

Job description

Watermark Search International – Sydney CBD NSW

Chief Executive Officer
Public Service Senior Executive Band 3

A unique opportunity to lead and inspire a team of highly motivated, qualified and passionate professionals to deliver independent regulatory decisions to the benefit of the people of NSW

Responsibilities

• Lead a highly respected independent regulatory organisation responsible for delivering trusted pricing, regulatory and advisory outcomes that impact communities, businesses and government across New South Wales.
• Build on a strong organisational culture and lead a team of highly skilled professionals committed to public purpose and evidence-based decision-making.
• Partner with the Chair and Tribunal to shape IPART's future direction while ensuring the effective leadership and management of the agency.

About the role

Reporting to the Chair and supporting the Tribunal, the Chief Executive Officer will:

• Lead the delivery of IPART’s strategic directions, with accountability for its operations, functions and organisational performance.
• Provide strategic direction, intellectual leadership and specialist expertise within IPART, across government and in the wider community on pricing, policy, licensing and compliance matters, and special investigations referred by the Premier.
• Oversee the provision of expert advice, research and support to the Tribunal.

This is an ongoing, full-time Band 3 Public Service Senior Executive (PSSE) role. Remuneration will be determined in line with this Band 3 range, considering relevant skills and experience.

You can read the role description here.

About you

You are an experienced leader with political awareness, strong interpersonal skills and commercial acumen, and a willingness to challenge established approaches to deliver equitable outcomes for the people of NSW.

• Significant senior leadership experience within a regulator, government agency, public institution, infrastructure sector or similarly complex organisation.
• Demonstrated success driving organisational performance, transformation and culture.
• Strong understanding of economic regulation, public policy or related governance frameworks.
• Outstanding communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing capability.
• Exceptional judgement, integrity and commitment to public value.
• The ability to lead through complexity while balancing the interests of government, regulated entities and the community.

About us

The Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) makes the people of NSW better off through its independent decisions and advice. We help people get safe and reliable services at a fair price.

IPART undertakes independent regulatory functions in the water, transport, local government and energy sectors in NSW. We also undertake reviews and investigations into a wide range of economic and policy issues.

Our organisational values are

• Integrity and courage – we are willing to make the difficult decisions
• Curiosity and openness – we seek out and develop new ideas that will improve our work
• Respect and inclusion – we bring together diverse experiences and skills to generate better solutions
• Making a difference – we pursue better outcomes for the people of NSW

If your values align with ours, we want to talk to you.

For more information, visit www.ipart.nsw.gov.au

Our commitment

IPART welcome and encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds including, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people/s; people living with disability; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; the LGBTQI+ community; people with a lived experience of mental health; veterans, people of mature age, and other diverse communities. IPART 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.

Reasonable adjustments

The selection process will include assessment techniques to determine your suitability. You can request reasonable adjustments at any stage by indicating in your application or reaching out to the Watermark Search using the contact details above.

Additional information

• This recruitment process will include pre-employment screening.
• To apply for this role, you must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand passport.
• This recruitment activity may result in the creation of a talent pool to fill other ongoing and temporary vacancies for similar roles within IPART. Placement in the talent pool remains valid for 18 months.
• Visit the Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in the role description.

Applications close Monday 16 November 2026 at 10am. Late applications will not be accepted.