Senior Ai & Innovation Lead

the original; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) in NSW seeks a Senior AI and Innovation Officer to drive discovery of AI and digital opportunities across NSW. You will engage with stakeholders, translate complex requests into actionable problems, and ensure alignment with strategic priorities for successful delivery.

The role offers a temporary full-time appointment until 30 June 2027 with flexible office locations (Parramatta, Orange or Newcastle) and salary range of AUD 133,348 to

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to facilitate workshops, translate complex concepts and produce clear, concise documentation for diverse audiences.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, using analytical thinking to define opportunities, assess risks and develop evidence-based recommendations in ambiguous environments.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, building trusted relationships and influencing stakeholders to achieve consensus and shape effective outcomes.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to manage competing priorities, emerging technologies and changing business needs while delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Relevant industry certifications in artificial intelligence, low-code application development, cloud technologies, Agile delivery or digital innovation (e.g. Microsoft Azure AI, Microsoft Power Platform, Scrum Master or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Drive the discovery of AI, digital and data opportunities that help shape thriving communities across NSW. Work with stakeholders to uncover real problems, challenge solution bias and turn ideas into meaningful outcomes.
• Shape and assess digital, data and AI opportunities before investment decisions are made, engaging stakeholders early and translating requests into clear problems and outcomes.
• Ensure initiatives are aligned to strategic priorities, evidence-based and set up for successful delivery.

Skills

Workshop facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

AI/digital expertise

Job description

Shape smarter community outcomes through AI, innovation and human-centred design

• Temporary full-time opportunity until 30 June 2027
• Parramatta, Orange or Newcastle office location with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $133,348 to $146,945 p.a plus super

In this role you will

Drive the discovery of AI, digital and data opportunities that help shape thriving communities across NSW. You'll work with stakeholders to uncover real problems, challenge solution bias and turn emerging ideas into meaningful outcomes that improve how services are designed and delivered.

This role works closely with business areas to identify, shape and assess digital, data and AI opportunities before investment decisions are made. By engaging stakeholders early, facilitating discovery activities and translating complex requests into clear problems and outcomes, this role helps ensure initiatives are aligned to strategic priorities, evidence-based and set up for successful delivery.

Read the role description for more detail: Senior AI and Innovation Officer

About you

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to facilitate workshops, translate complex concepts and produce clear, concise documentation for diverse audiences.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, using analytical thinking to define opportunities, assess risks and develop evidence-based recommendations in ambiguous environments.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, building trusted relationships and influencing stakeholders to achieve consensus and shape effective outcomes.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to manage competing priorities, emerging technologies and changing business needs while delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Relevant industry certifications in artificial intelligence, low-code application development, cloud technologies, Agile delivery or digital innovation (e.g. Microsoft Azure AI, Microsoft Power Platform, Scrum Master or equivalent).

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.

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'll help shape lives and communities across NSW while growing your own career, supported by flexible work options, impactful projects and a collaborative, diverse team. As a high-performing and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, we value your lived experience and cultural knowledge, and we are committed to helping you thrive through flexible arrangements, workplace adjustments and a culture where everyone feels supported, connected and belongs.

For more information contact Ben Davies, Director Technology & Governance at [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.