Director - Harm Prevention & Regulatory Impact

NSW Department of Customer Service; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 255,000 - 325,000; Full time

Job summary

NSW Department of Customer Service is seeking a Director Specialist Harm Prevention to lead expert technical teams in delivering SafeWork NSW’s regulatory responses to harms and hazards across NSW. You will influence regulatory practice, provide strategic advice, and strengthen governance and capability in a high‑profile environment.

This senior role demands strong judgement, credibility, and a commitment to public value.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in health and safety regulation or compliance.
• Ability to apply risk-based regulatory approaches to complex harm prevention challenges.
• Proven ability to operate in high-risk, politically sensitive environments.
• Experience influencing diverse stakeholders with competing priorities.
• Collaborative leadership fostering cross-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of specialist harm functions with a risk-based approach to prevention and compliance.
• Design and deliver targeted harm prevention regulatory programs, including hazardous substances like silica and asbestos.
• Oversee frontline delivery to ensure timely, proportionate regulatory responses to incidents and requests.
• Establish governance, assurance and operational standards to heighten regulatory capability and confidence.
• Provide authoritative advice to senior leaders and external stakeholders on technical and regulatory practice.
• Build productive relationships with workers, employers, unions, health professionals and government partners for early intervention.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams with an inclusive, accountable culture in a sensitive regulatory environment.

Skills

Regulatory expertise

People leadership

Work health and safety regulation

Stakeholder engagement

Risk-based regulation

Policy & regulatory practice

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent senior-level experience

Job description

NSW Department of Customer Service is seeking a Director Specialist Harm Prevention to lead expert technical teams in delivering SafeWork NSW’s regulatory responses to harms and hazards across NSW. You will influence regulatory practice, provide strategic advice, and strengthen governance and capability in a high‑profile environment.

This senior role demands strong judgement, credibility, and a commitment to public value.