Director Operations - Regional North

Department of Customer Service; Ballina Shire; On-site; AUD 230,000 - 281,000; Full time

Job summary

SafeWork NSW, the NSW work health and safety regulator, seeks an executive leader to oversee regulatory operations in the Regional North area. You will lead multidisciplinary teams delivering inspections, audits and harm prevention across major coastal and regional communities, guiding safety initiatives and ensuring high performance across offices.

You will travel regularly to Gosford, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Narrabri and nearby communities, with attendance at central

Responsibilities

• Lead regional regulatory operations across a diverse and geographically dispersed area
• Drive risk-based, intelligence-led compliance and harm prevention programs
• Oversee proactive inspections, audits, education and enforcement activities
• Build strong partnerships with industry, government agencies, worker representatives and regional communities
• Respond to emerging risks, complex operational issues and priority workplace safety challenges
• Influence strategic regulatory outcomes through collaboration across SafeWork NSW and partner agencies
• Lead and develop high-performing teams while fostering a positive, accountable and inclusive culture
• Provide authoritative advice on operational, regulatory and workplace safety matters to senior leaders and government stakeholders

Job description

Lead regulatory operations across our Regional North directorate and help create safer, healthier workplaces • Ongoing, full-time – Public Service Senior Executive Band 1 • Ability to choose work location across multiple office locations including Gosford, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Narrabri, Tamworth • Regular travel across the Regional North office locations is required, including attendance at offices and operational worksites. The role also requires routine attendance at SafeWork NSW's central offices in Haymarket and Parramatta. • Total Remuneration Package starting from $255,301, including superannuation.

Lead where safety, compliance and community outcomes intersect. Every worker deserves to return home safely. As Director Operations (Regional North), you will lead SafeWork NSW's regulatory presence across our Regional North areas overseeing a large and diverse portfolio of education, compliance and harm prevention activities. The region spans major coastal and regional areas, including Gosford, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Tamworth, Narrabri and surrounding communities, requiring strong leadership across a broad and diverse operating environment. You will guide multidisciplinary teams delivering inspections, audits, compliance initiatives and targeted interventions across a broad range of industries and workplace risks. This is a significant executive leadership role where you will combine operational excellence, regulatory leadership and strategic influence to drive safer workplaces and stronger compliance outcomes across the region.

In this role you will:

• Lead regional regulatory operations across a diverse and geographically dispersed area


• Drive risk-based, intelligence-led compliance and harm prevention programs


• Oversee proactive inspections, audits, education and enforcement activities


• Build strong partnerships with industry, government agencies, worker representatives and regional communities


• Respond to emerging risks, complex operational issues and priority workplace safety challenges


• Influence strategic regulatory outcomes through collaboration across SafeWork NSW and partner agencies


• Lead and develop high-performing teams while fostering a positive, accountable and inclusive culture


• Provide authoritative advice on operational, regulatory and workplace safety matters to senior leaders and government stakeholders

What you'll bring

We're seeking an experienced executive leader who can deliver results in complex operational environments and lead large teams through change and competing priorities. You will bring:

• Proven senior leadership experience with responsibility for operational delivery at scale


• Strong experience leading teams in regulatory, compliance, enforcement, operational or service delivery environments


• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing capability across government, industry and community sectors


• Demonstrated ability to use data, intelligence and risk insights to inform decision-making


• Experience leading through complexity, managing competing priorities and allocating resources effectively


• A collaborative leadership style that builds trust, accountability and performance

Highly regarded (but not essential):

• Experience within a regulator, compliance or enforcement agency


• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams


• Knowledge of risk-based regulatory frameworks, compliance programs or harm prevention initiatives

Ready to make a impact? This is a rare opportunity to lead large-scale regulatory operations while delivering meaningful outcomes for workers, businesses and communities across our Regional North areas.

Why join SafeWork NSW?

SafeWork NSW is the state's work health and safety regulator, working to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illness. As part of SafeWork NSW's leadership team, you will play a critical role in shaping regulatory outcomes across Northern NSW while contributing to the organisation's broader transformation as a modern, intelligence-led regulator. You'll be part of an organisation committed to:

• Saving lives and preventing workplace harm


• Delivering modern, risk-based regulation


• Supporting regional communities and businesses


• Building strong partnerships to improve safety outcomes


• Creating an inclusive and high-performing workplace

Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd November 2026 [11:59pm]

For enquiries relating to recruitment please contact Caitlin Birrell via [e-mail].

We provide adjustments to the recruitment process for candidates, including individuals with disability. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, including alternate formats or have questions about the support available, please contact Talent Operations on 02 8276 8130 or [e-mail].

For more information, please visit Information on some of the different types of disabilities Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process