Manager Strategy & Operations

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development NSW; Orange City Council; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development NSW – Orange NSW is seeking a Manager Strategy and Operations to lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team within the Regional Economic Development division. You will drive strategy, operations, and executive support across projects, reporting, and governance to deliver measurable regional outcomes.

You will oversee policy development, investment attraction, and stakeholder engagement while ensuring efficient delivery and risk

Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing and implementing economic development strategies or programs.
• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Collaborative mindset and a focus on achieving results in a fast-paced environment.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent industry experience.
• Current NSW driver’s licence.

Responsibilities

• Leading, mentoring and prioritising work across teams delivering strategic and operational support functions.
• Managing the successful delivery, monitoring, and reporting of major economic development initiatives.
• Providing expert policy and strategic advice on investment attraction and regional economic development.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships across government and industry stakeholders.
• Preparing high-quality reports, briefings, and strategic communications for senior executives and government stakeholders.
• Driving continuous improvement through robust governance, streamlined operations, and effective reporting systems.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience

Job description

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development NSW – Orange NSW

• Temporary, full‑time role till February 2028 (parental leave cover)
• Location: Regional NSW (Flexible & Negotiable across all DPIRD NSW locations)
• Clerk Grade 11/12, salary from $154,231 - $178,174 plus super and leave loading

Diversity and inclusion are core DPIRD values. Everyone has the right to contribute and participate to their full potential. We are committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive culture that is respectful, welcoming and flexible – a workplace where our people feel supported, valued, and part of our collective success.

About the Role

As the Manager Strategy and Operations, you will lead a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team supporting the Regional Economic Development (RED) division across strategy, communications, project management and executive operations.

You will oversee a portfolio of initiatives that span project management, stakeholder engagement, and policy development ensuring programs are delivered efficiently, outcomes are measurable, and risks are effectively managed.

Key responsibilities but not limited to:

• Leading, mentoring and prioritising work across teams delivering strategic and operational support functions.
• Managing the successful delivery, monitoring, and reporting of major economic development initiatives.
• Providing expert policy and strategic advice on investment attraction and regional economic development.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships across government and industry stakeholders.
• Preparing high‑quality reports, briefings, and strategic communications for senior executives and government stakeholders.
• Driving continuous improvement through robust governance, streamlined operations, and effective reporting systems.

About you

You are a strategic and influential leader with deep expertise in policy, operations, and economic development. You are skilled at navigating complexity and uniting diverse stakeholders, you translate big‑picture vision into practical, measurable outcomes with clarity and impact.

You bring:

• Proven experience in the development and implementation of economic development strategies or programs.
• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative mindset and a focus on achieving results in a fast‑paced environment.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent industry experience.
• Current NSW driver’s licence.

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and help shape the future of regional economic development, we’d love to hear from you.

Additional Information

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same role or role type that may become available for filling over the next eighteen months.

About us

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) protects, supports and develops primary industries and regional economies.

Collectively we support strong and sustainable agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries, and regional economies. We actively manage our natural assets: our lands and soils, minerals, waterways and oceans, vegetation and forests.

The department brings together:

• Local Land Services
• NSW Resources
• Agriculture and Biosecurity
• Fisheries and Forestry
• Regional Development and Delivery.

With nearly 5,000 employees, and 75 per cent of the DPIRD team living and working in regional NSW, we are embedded in the regions we serve.

DPIRD is a proud Disability Confident Recruiter, Family Inclusive Employer and Carer Friendly Employer