Director Referral Coordination And Assessment

the original; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 217,000 - 242,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in NSW is seeking a Director to establish and lead the DCA's Referral Coordination and Assessment function. You will coordinate agency input and streamline referrals to deliver timely guidance on local development applications.

You will provide strategic leadership, engage diverse government partners, and build a high-performing team to improve assessment processes and outcomes for NSW communities.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the NSW planning and development assessment system, including relevant legislation and policy frameworks.
• Experience as a decision-maker for technically complex matters.
• Experience establishing or leading service functions that support regulatory or policy reform initiatives.
• Proven capability leading high-performing teams, managing resources and delivering complex service outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence stakeholders across government to achieve coordinated outcomes.
• Experience using data and operational insights to drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the establishment and growth of the DCA's Referral Coordination function, driving better coordination across the planning system.
• Provide strategic leadership across government and build strong stakeholder partnerships.
• Lead a high-performing team to deliver timely and consistent advice on local development applications.
• Drive improvements in assessment processes and service delivery to benefit NSW communities.

Skills

Knowledge of NSW planning system

Decision-maker for complex matters

Leading service functions

Leading high-performing teams

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven improvement

Job description

Shape your world, in the team that shapes NSW communities, spaces and economies.

• An executive leadership opportunity to lead a critical function at the centre of NSW's development assessment reform.
• Ongoing full-time role available, location negotiable with flexible working arrangements supported
• TRP from $217K to $242K including superannuation, commensurate with experience

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) is seeking an exceptional leader to join the Development Coordination Authority (DCA) as Director, Referral Coordination and Assessment.

About the Development Coordination Authority

The DCA has been established to strengthen how NSW Government agencies work together within the development assessment system. Acting as a central coordination point for agency advice, the Authority will streamline referral processes, resolve issues earlier and deliver clearer, more consistent input to consent authorities, supporting faster, better-informed planning outcomes across NSW.

Join a newly established authority with a mandate to reshape development assessment across NSW and help deliver the housing, infrastructure and sustainable communities our growing state needs. This is a rare opportunity to build a new function, influence system-wide reform and leave a lasting legacy on how development is assessed across NSW.

About the Role

As Director, you will lead the establishment and growth of the DCA's Referral Coordination function, driving better coordination and more efficient assessment outcomes across the planning system.

Working at the forefront of planning reform, you will provide strategic leadership across government, build strong stakeholder partnerships and lead a high-performing team to deliver coordinated, timely and consistent advice on local development applications. Your leadership will help improve assessment processes, enhance service delivery and contribute to better outcomes for communities across NSW.

You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of the NSW planning and development assessment system, including relevant legislation and policy frameworks and the statutory referrals process.
• Experience within the planning system as a decision-maker for technically complex matters.
• Experience establishing or leading service functions that support regulatory or policy reform initiatives.
• Proven capability leading high-performing teams, managing resources and delivering complex service outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence stakeholders across government to achieve coordinated outcomes.
• Experience using data and operational insights to drive continuous improvement.

For more information read the full Role Description: Director Referral Coordination and Assessment

About Us

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively; and deliver affordable and diverse housing.

We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and building the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities.

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share and workplace adjustments.

Applications close on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 11:55pm.

Join us

Should you require further information about the role please contact Matthew Dwyer, Talent Acquisition Partner via [e-mail]

A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Check out ourAboriginal applicants guideto assist with applying for the role or contact ourAboriginal Career pathwaysteam for a yarn.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via [e-mail] or [phone] - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including a criminal record check.