Executive Officer (Talent Pool)

NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Officer role at NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure seeks to provide strategic and operational advice to senior leaders, turning complex information into clear recommendations to support informed decision-making.

You will oversee executive correspondence, ministerial briefs, and reports, coordinate priority projects, lead direct reports, enhance governance and records management, and help deliver high‑quality, timely information across NSW.

Qualifications

• Experience providing strategic and operational advice to senior executives.
• Strong research, analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written communication and quality assurance for briefs and reports.
• Ability to coordinate priority projects and balance deadlines.
• Experience leading direct reports and building capability.
• Proven experience delivering policy outcomes in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational advice to the General Counsel and senior leaders.
• Oversee executive and ministerial correspondence, briefs, submissions and reports.
• Coordinate priority projects and actions across the executive office.
• Lead and support direct reports and manage workloads.
• Enhance governance, records management and workflow performance.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Operational advice

Research and analysis

Problem-solving

Written communication

Relationship management

Project coordination

People leadership

Continuous improvement

Policy & strategic planning

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

Shape executive decision-making through strategic advice, clear insights and coordinated action.

• Recruitment process to establish Talent Pool for future opportunities at our department
• Office located in Sydney CBD or Parramatta with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $154,231.00 to $178,369.00 plus super (Clerk Grade 11/12)

Join our team and shape your world in a workplace that empowers you to do your best work and build a meaningful career. In this role, you will contribute to shaping lives and communities across NSW, while shaping your own career. You will enjoy flexible work options, varied and impactful projects, and a vibrant, diverse team culture built on collaboration, inclusion and support. We are creating a workplace where everyone belongs and where you can balance work, life and wellbeing.

The role

As the Executive Officer, you will provide strategic and operational advice to the General Counsel, Deputy Secretary and/or other senior leaders at our department, helping turn complex information into clear recommendations that support informed decision-making. You will bring an independent perspective and coordinate input from across the Group to ensure advice is accurate, well-reasoned and responsive to emerging priorities.

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of executive decision-making, coordinating priority projects, issues and actions across the Office of the Deputy Secretary. You will oversee executive and ministerial correspondence, briefing notes, submissions and reports, working closely with key staff to deliver timely, high-quality information and keep sensitive and emerging matters in focus.

Working with complex issues and competing deadlines, you will strengthen coordination between the Deputy Secretary’s office and senior management, finding practical solutions where there may be little precedent. You will lead and support direct reports, manage workloads and build capability, while monitoring workflow performance and improving administrative and records management processes to deliver responsive, consistent executive support.

What you'll bring to the role

• The ability to provide strategic and operational advice to senior executives, applying an independent perspective and sound judgement to support informed decisions.
• Strong research, analysis and problem-solving skills to evaluate information from multiple sources and develop practical recommendations on sensitive, complex and emerging issues, including where there is little precedent.
• Excellent written communication and quality assurance skills to oversee executive and ministerial correspondence, briefs, submissions and reports, ensuring clear, accurate advice and timely responses.
• Strong relationship management skills to work collaboratively with key staff and senior management, maintaining effective communication and discretion on sensitive, complex or time-critical matters.
• The ability to coordinate priority projects, issues and actions across an executive office, balancing competing deadlines and responding quickly to emerging priorities to support effective governance and delivery.
• People leadership skills to support direct reports, build capability and manage performance and workloads to deliver high-quality, responsive and consistent executive support services.
• A continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to review administrative and records management processes, monitor and report on workflow performance, identify risks and resolve bottlenecks.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or proven experience delivering policy outcomes, strategic planning or performance improvement within a complex, sensitive and high-volume environment

For more details about this role, read the full Role Description here: Executive Officer

About Us

At the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), you could shape your world while helping us shape the future of NSW. Together, we create vibrant communities, places and precincts, and manage land, assets and property.

We are a high-performing organisation that proudly reflects the communities we serve. Our diversity strengthens our cultural capability and enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across NSW. As an inclusive and accessible workplace, we value your contribution, lived experience and cultural knowledge, and we want you to feel supported, connected and empowered to succeed. With flexible work arrangements, job share options, workplace adjustments and various employee affinity groups, we are here to help you thrive every day.

Applications close Wednesday, 4 November at 11:55PM. Should you require further information about the role please contact Belinda Sheather, Manager DLO Programs on [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 our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team 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.