Executive Director, Policy - The Cabinet Office NSW

Orchard Talent Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cabinet Office of NSW is seeking an Executive Director, Policy to lead at the centre of government from the heart of NSW. You will drive research, analysis and policy development across key areas, delivering evidence-based advice to the Deputy Secretary, the Secretary, the Premier and Cabinet.

You will also manage the Cabinet process and partner with industry and non-government organisations to resolve complex issues.

Qualifications

• Experience in public policy development and reform.
• Ability to work with the Premier’s Office and ministerial offices with credibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead the policy branch, setting research and policy development directions.
• Provide timely, expert advice to the Deputy Secretary, Secretary, Premier and Cabinet.
• Manage the Cabinet process for portfolio areas.
• Partner with industry and NGOs to find practical solutions to complex issues.
• Identify interdependencies and trade-offs between policy and Budget proposals.

Skills

Executive leadership

Policy development

Intergovernmental relations

Evidence-based advice

Policy reform

Job description

• Lead policy, strategy and integrity from the heart of government
• Provide trusted, impartial advice to the Premier and Cabinet
• Shape policy on complex issues to improve the lives of the people of NSW

This is an opportunity to lead a policy branch at the centre of NSW Government, providing evidence-based advice on some of the most significant policy issues facing NSW.

About us

The Cabinet Office operates at the heart of NSW Government, supporting the Premier and Cabinet with expert policy advice informed by data, evidence, and a focus on the bigger picture. The Cabinet Office coordinates and often leads policy reform to drive the Government’s priorities, and advances NSW’s interests at the national level through strategic advice on intergovernmental matters. The Cabinet Office is the steward of the NSW Cabinet system, promoting adherence to Cabinet conventions and good Cabinet practice to support good government decision-making.

The Cabinet Office is made up of four groups: the Office of General Counsel; Social Policy and Intergovernmental Relations; Energy, Environment and Evidence; and Economic, Housing and Infrastructure Policy. Its people are guided by the values of integrity, trust, service and accountability, including a commitment to apolitical and non-partisan advice.

The role

As Executive Director, Policy, you will lead at the policy branch level, setting the direction of research, analysis and policy development across key portfolio areas. You will provide timely, expert and authoritative advice to the Deputy Secretary, the Secretary, the Premier and Cabinet, and manage the Cabinet process for your portfolio areas. Working closely with the Premier, Ministers and senior executives across government, you will shape policy, legislation, programs and machinery of government arrangements that drive the Government's priorities.

You will identify the interdependencies and trade-offs between new policy and Budget proposals across portfolios, giving decision-makers a clear, whole-of-government view. When urgent issues arise, you will adjust your branch's focus quickly while continuing to deliver the Government's long-term policy agenda. You will also partner with industry and non-government organisations to find practical solutions to complex and contentious issues.

The immediate opportunity is to lead the Energy, Environment and Primary Industries branch. The branch advises on priorities including the energy transition and energy security, forestry, biosecurity, water and the environment. You will lead an established team, engaging with subject matter experts across government and offering balanced, impartial advice that weighs different perspectives.

The Cabinet Office is also seeking to develop a talent pool of senior policy leaders for Executive Director roles that may arise across its policy branches. These include:

• Energy, Environment and Primary Industries
• Planning and Housing Policy
• Economic Policy
• Human Services and Intergovernmental Relations
• Justice and Security Policy

About you

We are seeking an experienced executive leader with a strong record in public policy development and reform. You will provide balanced, evidence-based advice on complex and politically sensitive issues and bring the executive maturity to work with the Premier’s Office and ministerial offices with credibility and impartiality.

A deep understanding of Cabinet, parliamentary and Budget processes and public sector governance, or the capacity to master these quickly, will be key to your success. You will bring a collaborative leadership style, a commitment to public value, and the ability to build trusted relationships across government, industry and the community.

Experience in energy, environment or primary industries policy is highly regarded for the immediate opportunity. We also encourage applications from leaders with expertise in other policy areas, including planning and housing, economic, human services, justice and security.

We value diverse experiences. Even if you are not sure you meet all the requirements, we encourage you to apply.

Additional information is available at the following links:

Role Description - https://app.box.com/s/ih9036nsoccgm080g20osvgx8ez7neog

The Cabinet Office website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/the-cabinet-office

Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.

The Cabinet Office welcomes and encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQ+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a pool of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role or similar roles, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles over the next 18 months.

We provide adjustments including alternative formats to the recruitment process for candidates including individuals with disability.

Applications close Sunday 8 November 2026.

The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.