Manager

Department: Justice Programs; Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Competitive pay and conditions

Training and development opportunities

Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assist

Job summary

Department of Communities and Justice NSW is seeking a Manager, Program Strategy and Design to oversee the Justice Programs branch. You will identify gaps, develop reform ideas, and translate opportunities into practical initiatives that improve outcomes for people in contact with the justice system.

You will lead cross-sector collaboration with government, legal services, NGOs, and researchers, provide strategic advice to executives, and guide a small team to deliver high-quality work in a

Qualifications

• Understanding of NSW criminal justice system and policy/strategy experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead and manage a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and high-impact projects to strengthen and grow therapeutic and diversionary responses for people in the early stages of the criminal justice system, including court-based programs.
• Build strong partnerships across government and with legal service providers, NGOs, researchers and people with lived experience to shape criminal justice policy and programs.
• Provide expert strategic and policy advice to senior executives and government, including through Ministerial briefings, Cabinet submissions and correspondence.
• Drive a coordinated, forward-looking approach to strategy, policy and program development across Justice Programs, while contributing to broader Departmental and Ministerial priorities and reform.
• Lead a small, high-performing team, creating an environment where people can think creatively, tackle complex problems and deliver high-quality work.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Policy experience

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

$149,739 - $173,174 a year

Casual/Temporary, Full time

Hybrid

1d ago , from Department of Communities and Justice NSW

• Employment type: Temporary full-time role until 30 June 2028 with Potential for Ongoing Employment (Applications for part-time job-share arrangements can be considered)
• Salary: $149,739 pa - $ 173,174 pa, plus employers’ contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

Manager, Program Strategy and Design – Lead Change Where It Matters Most

As Manager of Program Strategy and Design, you’ll look across the work of the Justice Programs branch and the broader justice system to identify where we can make a bigger difference. You’ll explore gaps and opportunities, develop new ideas for programs and reform, and help strengthen and expand approaches that are already working. Working with government, the legal sector and the non-government sector, you’ll turn emerging opportunities into clear strategies and practical initiatives that can improve outcomes for people in contact with the justice system.

What you’ll do

• Lead strategy and high-impact projects to strengthen and grow therapeutic and diversionary responses for people in the early stages of the criminal justice system, including court-based programs.
• Build strong partnerships across government and with legal service providers, NGOs, researchers and people with lived experience to shape criminal justice policy and programs.
• Provide expert strategic and policy advice to senior executives and government, including through Ministerial briefings, Cabinet submissions and correspondence.
• Drive a coordinated, forward-looking approach to strategy, policy and program development across Justice Programs, while contributing to broader Departmental and Ministerial priorities and reform.
• Lead a small, high-performing team, creating an environment where people can think creatively, tackle complex problems and deliver high-quality work.

What we’re looking for

• A sound understanding of the NSW criminal justice system and experience in justice policy, strategy or program management.
• A strategic systems-thinker with the ability to draw on evidence, stakeholder perspectives and practical experience to design and deliver strategy and reform.
• A strong written and verbal communicator
• Someone who is highly organised with strong project management skills and the ability to drive complex work forward
• A people-centred leader, who can build, support and motivate a high-performing team.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Are you ready to join us?

Applications close Wednesday, 25 November 2026 at 11:59 pm AEST.

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Louise Pounder, Director of Justice Programs on **************@dcj.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Anjy Fayad on 02 9765 3*** or via **********@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

The Welcome Experience

Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.

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