Director Assistant Commissioner Professional Standards Sydney NSW Australia

Fire and Rescue NSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 209,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Fire and Rescue NSW in New South Wales is seeking a senior leader to head the Professional Standards function, guiding investigations, misconduct and integrity matters across the organisation. You will drive strategic risk management, governance adherence and proactive cultural improvement in a large public service.

With extensive experience leading complex teams, you will provide executive advisory support, partner with stakeholders, and ensure fair, timely decisions in line with legislation

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in HR, Employment Relations, Investigations, Law or related discipline.
• Proven experience leading investigations, misconduct or workplace integrity matters.
• Strong executive advisory and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Professional Standards function and oversee complex investigations.
• Provide strategic leadership on misconduct, complaints and integrity matters.
• Ensure decisions are timely, fair, and aligned with policy and governance.
• Advise executives and manage organisational risk.

Skills

Investigations leadership

Workplace integrity

Stakeholder engagement

Governance knowledge

Strategic leadership

Communication skills

Discretion and judgement

Education

HR/IR/Law related

Job description

• Ongoing Full Time
• Senior Executive Band 1
• Located in Greenacre, with hybrid working arrangements
• Total Remuneration Package: $232,190 pa

FRNSW is one of the world’s largest urban fire and rescue services and is the busiest in Australia. Our overriding purpose is to enhance community safety, quality of life, and confidence by minimising the impact of hazards and emergency incidents on the people, property, environment and economy of NSW. We are prepared for anything – helping anyone, anywhere, anytime.

About the role:

Reporting to the Executive Director People & Culture, you will lead the Professional Standards function and provide strategic leadership across workplace conduct, misconduct, complaints, integrity matters, public interest disclosures and significant performance issues. You will oversee complex and sensitive matters while ensuring decisions are timely, procedurally fair, evidence-based and aligned with legislative, policy and governance requirements. You will play a key role in identifying organisational risks and implementing proactive strategies that promote ethical behaviour, accountability and respectful workplaces. This role combines strategic leadership, operational oversight and trusted executive advisory responsibilities, requiring sound judgement, exceptional stakeholder engagement skills and a strong commitment to public sector integrity.

About you:

You are an accomplished senior leader who has successfully led complex teams and functions within a large organisation. You bring sound judgement, strategic thinking and the ability to navigate sensitive issues while fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism and continuous improvement. You will bring:

• Significant experience leading teams responsible for investigations, misconduct, complaints or workplace integrity matters.
• Deep knowledge of procedural fairness, governance, employment frameworks and contemporary professional standards practices.
• Strong executive advisory skills and the ability to navigate highly sensitive and complex matters with confidence and discretion.
• Demonstrated success in developing prevention, education and cultural improvement initiatives.
• Outstanding judgement, resilience and credibility when managing competing priorities and organisational risk.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative leadership style that builds trust, capability and accountability.

Essential Requirements:

Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Employment Relations, Investigations, Law or a related discipline/or equivalent demonstrated experience.

Our commitment to diversity:

Great people come from all walks of life and at Fire and Rescue NSW we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and flexible workforce which reflects the community we serve. We welcome people with diverse experience, skills and backgrounds, and encourage applications from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals who identify as LGBTIQ, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of all ages. If you are a person with disability and require reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact Mary-Anne Springall, Talent Acquisition Advisor, via email to [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Applications close: 11.55pm 11 November 2026.

Visit our Careers Page to learn more about Fire and Rescue NSW. A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type which become available over the next 18 months.