Director, Policy and Reform

NSW Department of Education; Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 268,000 - 293,000; Full time

Job summary

The NSW Early Learning Commission is seeking a Director, Policy and Reform to lead policy initiatives and oversee specialist projects in the early childhood sector across NSW.

You will drive leading practice policy settings, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver high-quality early learning standards for children and families, working with diverse government partners. This is a full-time, ongoing role based in Parramatta with flexible work options.

Qualifications

• Outcomes-focused leader with strong expertise in leading complex public policy and regulatory reform initiatives.
• Experience across government and with diverse stakeholders to influence policy outcomes.
• Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, and culturally safe practices in regulatory services.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy and reform initiatives and tactical plans for the early childhood sector.
• Oversee delivery of specialist projects to improve service quality and compliance.
• Drive leading practice policy settings and frameworks for high-quality early childhood education across NSW.

Skills

Public policy leadership

Regulatory reform

Stakeholder engagement

Cultural awareness

Job description

Ongoing Public Service senior executive band 1 role with a remuneration range of $267,682 - $293,376 per annum.

Full time ongoing role.

Based in Parramatta with flexible work options.

About Us

At the NSW Early Learning Commission children come first, always.

We work to ensure children are safe, respected and supported to thrive in early childhood education and care across NSW. Through strong regulation and evidence-informed reform, we help ensure children experience high-quality early learning that supports their development, wellbeing and lifelong learning.

We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.

About The Role

The Director, Policy and Reform leads and develops tactical plans and initiatives to drive the development of policy, as well as overseeing the delivery of specialist projects for the early childhood education sector.

The role leads the design and performance oversight of leading practice, evidence-based policy settings, systems and frameworks to drive improved service quality and compliance with regulatory obligations and the provision of safe, high-quality early childhood education for children and families in NSW.

About You

You are an outcomes-focused leader with strong expertise in leading complex public policy and regulatory reform initiatives. You bring deep experience in working across government and with diverse stakeholders to influence policy outcomes and sensitive reform agendas, shaping national conversations while ensuring NSW continues to set a strong benchmark for child safety and regulatory integrity.

Your ability to foster a culture of high performance and collaboration will be crucial to your success to strengthen reach and impact.

Above all, you are genuinely motivated by what the Commission exists to do: keep children safe and drive quality in early childhood education and care across NSW.

To Be Successful In This Role

• Strong understanding of national policy frameworks, regulatory systems and public policy processes.
• Demonstrated senior experience leading complex public policy or regulatory reform initiatives, including ability to provide authoritative advice and influence policy outcomes in government or interjurisdictional environments.
• Understanding of and commitment to respecting and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures, and supporting culturally safe practices in the delivery of regulatory services.
• Hold a valid clearance to work with children (Working with Children Check).

Contact

For enquiries about the recruitment of this role, please contact Kristian Holz, Deputy Commissioner, Strategy and Integrity – [e-mail]

Applications Close

11:59pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026

Please Note

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above.

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. Candidates on a talent pool may be chosen and directly offered employment in other or similar roles (ongoing or term) in the near future.