Executive Director, Community Engagement

Premier's Department NSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working

Career Development

Wellbeing Support

Inclusive Culture

Job summary

Premier’s Department NSW is seeking an Executive Director, Community Engagement, to shape how the Premier’s Office connects with NSW communities and communicates government priorities. You will lead a broad portfolio including media, major events, stakeholder engagement and protocol activities.

You will set strategic directions, lead multidisciplinary teams, and ensure the branch delivers sensitive, time‑critical priorities in a high‑profile environment.

Qualifications

• Strategic communications and engagement across senior levels of government.
• Ability to interpret community sentiment and emerging issues for trusted advice.
• Experience coordinating multi‑agency initiatives and balancing competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Executive Director, Community Engagement to shape NSW Government communities' connections and priorities.
• Oversee media, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, major events coordination and protocol activities.
• Set strategic directions and lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver sensitive, time‑critical priorities.

Skills

Strategic communications

Government insight

Whole-of-government leadership

Events and protocol

Contemporary engagement

Machinery of Government

Job description

• Lead high-profile communications, events and engagement at the heart of NSW Government
• Engage stakeholders across government to drive communication and engagement initiatives that support the priorities of the Premier and NSW Government
• Apply your experience managing crises, emerging risks and competing priorities in high-profile environments
• Ongoing full-time Band 2 Senior Executive role based in Martin Place, Sydney

About the Role

This is a high-profile executive opportunity within the Community Engagement Branch of the Delivery & Engagement Group. As Executive Director, Community Engagement, you will shape how the Premier’s Department connects with communities and communicates the priorities of the NSW Government. You will lead a broad portfolio spanning media, strategic communications, community and stakeholder engagement, major events coordination, protocol functions and internal engagement.

You will use community insights, evidence and emerging trends to anticipate issues, identify opportunities, and inform responsive communications and engagement initiatives. You will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of programs and initiatives to engage with community, diverse stakeholders and across government.

As a member of the Delivery and Engagement Group’s senior leadership team, you will set clear strategic directions, lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure the branch is equipped to deliver sensitive, visible and time-critical priorities.

To learn more about the role, please review the Role Description.

About You

• Strategic communications and engagement: You bring extensive senior executive experience leading complex communications, community engagement, media, stakeholders management or public affairs functions in a high-profile environment
• Government and community insight: You can interpret community sentiment, emerging issues and evidence to provide clear, timely and trusted advice to senior decisionmakers
• Whole-of-government leadership: You have a strong track record of coordinating complex initiatives across agencies and diverse range of stakeholders, balancing competing priorities and delivering shared outcomes
• Events and protocol: You bring experience overseeing major public events and commemorations, official visits and protocol activities
• Contemporary engagement: You understand emerging trends in media, digital platforms and community engagement and can translate these into practical opportunities to strengthen how government connects with citizens
• Machinery of Government: You have a proven ability to lead and align complex, multi-agency initiatives, underpinned by strong government acumen and a deep understanding of Cabinet and legislative processes

Why Join Us?

• Flexible Working: Broad range of flexible working arrangements
• Career Development: Ongoing learning through expert-led sessions, online training, and professional development opportunities
• Wellbeing Support: Access to employee assistance program, Fitness Passport program, and wellbeing initiatives
• Inclusive Culture: Staff-led networks including Aboriginal Staff Advisory Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Network, and Young Professionals Network

Salary

Senior Executive Band 2. Total remuneration package will be negotiated upon offer.

Hiring Manager

Kate Meagher, Deputy Secretary, Delivery and Engagement.

Recruitment Contact

Serena Buckley via [e-mail]

About the Premier's Department

Connecting to Deliver from the Heart of Government

The Premier's Department leads the state's 430,000 public servants, driving collaboration and the delivery of whole-of-government priorities. Learn more about the department and a career at Premier’s Department.

Our Commitment

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans and other diverse communities.

The Premier's Department acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders past and present. We recognise and learn from the strengths of First Nations peoples of New South Wales and their continuing connection to, and unique cultural and spiritual relationship with, Country.

Reasonable Adjustments

The selection process will include assessment techniques to determine your suitability. You can request reasonable adjustments at any stage by indicating in pre-screening questions, contacting the Talent Team at [e-mail], or reaching out to the hiring manager.

Talent Pool

A talent pool may be created from this recruitment process. If eligible, you may be contacted for ongoing and temporary opportunities in the same role or grade that become available over an 18-month period.