Hunter & Central Coast Regional Manager - Identified

Premier's Department; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Premier’s Department is seeking a Regional Manager to lead a dispersed team and strengthen Aboriginal communities across NSW. You will partner with Aboriginal leaders, government agencies, NGOs and private sector to drive initiatives from planning through delivery, with budgets, risk management and strategic advice to senior executives.

The role is based in Newcastle, NSW, with travel across the Northern NSW region, offering ongoing Clerk Grade 11/12 remuneration and generous superannuation.

Qualifications

• Community leadership: collaborate with Aboriginal communities to build trust and partnerships.
• Strategic stakeholder engagement: influence, negotiate and build relationships across government, NGOs and private sector.
• Project and program leadership: lead complex projects, balance priorities, deliver on time and budget.
• People leadership: lead geographically dispersed teams and foster a positive culture.
• Communication and executive advice: provide clear, strategic, culturally informed briefs and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional partnerships and priority projects that strengthen Aboriginal communities across NSW.
• Oversee budgets, mitigate risks, monitor outcomes and provide strategic advice to senior executives.
• Build a high-performing, culturally safe workplace for the team and stakeholders.
• Engage with Aboriginal leaders, communities, government agencies, NGOs and private sector partners.

Skills

Community leadership

Strategic stakeholder engagement

Project & program leadership

People leadership

Communication & executive advice

Job description

Premier’s Department Hunter & Central Coast Regional Manager - Identified You. At the centre of big ideas.

• Lead regional partnerships and priority projects that strengthen Aboriginal communities and deliver outcomes across NSW
• Seeking strong leadership, partnership and stakeholder engagement expertise
• Ongoing, Clerk Grade 11/12 ($154,231 - $178,369 per annum) opportunity based in Newcastle, NSW with travel across Northern NSW region.

About the Role As a Regional Manager , you will lead a passionate and geographically dispersed team dedicated to strengthening Aboriginal communities and driving meaningful outcomes across NSW. Working in partnership with Aboriginal leaders, communities, government agencies, NGOs and the private sector, you will play a pivotal role in delivering initiatives that advance the aspirations of Aboriginal people through opportunity, choice, healing, responsibility and empowerment. You will join the Community Partnerships branch within the Aboriginal Affairs NSW Group, where you will lead the implementation of OCHRE and other strategic initiatives, overseeing complex projects from planning through to delivery. This includes managing budgets, mitigating risks, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, monitoring outcomes, and providing strategic advice to senior executives on emerging issues and opportunities across the region. As a leader, you will build a high-performing and culturally safe workplace, ensuring your team delivers measurable and lasting outcomes for Aboriginal communities. To learn more about the role please review the Role Description.

We're Looking For

• Community Leadership: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Aboriginal communities, leaders and organisations to build trust, strengthen partnerships and support community-led outcomes.
• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Experience influencing, negotiating and building productive relationships across government, NGOs and private sector stakeholders.
• Project and Program Leadership: Proven ability to lead complex projects and programs, balancing competing priorities while delivering outcomes on time and within budget.
• People Leadership: Experience leading, coaching and developing geographically dispersed teams to achieve shared objectives and foster a positive team culture.
• Communication and Executive Advice: Strong communication skills with the ability to provide clear, strategic and culturally informed advice, briefs and reports, while confidently navigating complex and sensitive issues, exercising sound judgement, and maintaining a focus on delivering outcomes.

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

This is an Identified role under the Section 14d of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and as such Aboriginality is an essential requirement of the role. Aboriginal identified positions are developed where Aboriginal identity, cultural knowledge or connections are a genuine aspect of the role. Positions are specifically noted under the provisions of the NSW Anti-discrimination Act (1977) for Aboriginal people who meet the following criteria:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community

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
• Work-Life Balance: Flex time accrual for extra hours worked (for non-executive roles) based on a 35-hour standard week
• 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

Closing Date: Monday, 2 November 2026 (23:59PM)

Salary: Clerk Grade 11/12. Package includes base salary ($154,231 - $178,369) plus superannuation (12%) and leave loading.

Hiring Manager: Jay Ramirez, Director Community Partnerships Northern NSW 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.

This is an Identified role under the Section 14d of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and as such Aboriginality is an essential requirement of the role. Aboriginal identified positions are developed where Aboriginal identity, cultural knowledge or connections are a genuine aspect of the role. Positions are specifically noted under the provisions of the NSW Anti-discrimination Act (1977) for Aboriginal people who meet the following criteria:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community