Senior First Nations Strategy Development Lead (Identified)

Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport; Sydney; On-site; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Create NSW, a division of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, seeks a Senior First Nations Strategy Development Lead to drive inclusive strategies, policies and programs for the First Nations arts, culture and creative industries sector in NSW.

You will provide strategic, evidence-based advice, support subsector planning, and translate government priorities into practical initiatives that deliver meaningful sector outcomes and equitable funding access.

Qualifications

• Experience in First Nations policy development and strategic planning within the arts, culture or creative industries.
• Experience developing evidence-based advice for government, such as new policy proposals, business cases or strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering strategies, plans or programs that achieve measurable outcomes.
• Strong research, analytical and evaluation skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear strategic advice.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership skills, with the ability to build trust, influence outcomes and navigate diverse perspectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop evidence-based policy advice and strategic recommendations relating to First Nations arts, culture and creative industries.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies and plans in partnership with key stakeholders and strategy sponsors.
• Design and deliver strategic frameworks and initiatives that support innovation, growth and opportunity across NSW’s creative industries.
• Research and analyse emerging trends, opportunities and challenges to inform policy and strategic decision-making.
• Develop reports, evaluation findings and recommendations to strengthen existing strategies and support continuous improvement.
• Engage with First Nations arts and cultural stakeholders, industry working groups and government partners to identify opportunities and policy levers that address sector priorities.
• Monitor and report on the implementation of the Creative Communities policy and related government priorities, including supporting whole-of-government reporting and the three-yearly Creative Statement to Parliament.
• Participate in cross-government, cross-jurisdiction forums and communities of practice to share insights, monitor progress and support effective implementation.

Skills

First Nations policy development

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advisory

Clear communication

Education

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline

Job description

• Join Create NSW, a division within the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
• Clerk Grade 9/10 with a salary range of $133,348-$146,945 per annum + superannuation and leave loading
• Temporary role until 30 June 2027 based in The Rocks, NSW

This is an opportunity to contribute to strategic work that supports the strength, visibility and sustainability of the First Nations arts and cultural sector across NSW!

You’ll work with passionate people across government and the creative industries to develop strategies and initiatives that create meaningful opportunities, strengthen sector outcomes and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive and future-focused NSW creative sector.

About the role

As the Senior First Nations Strategy Development Lead, you will contribute to the development and delivery of contemporary, inclusive and impactful strategies, policies and programs that strengthen engagement with the First Nations arts, culture and creative industries sector.

You will provide strategic and evidence-based advice, support the development of subsector strategies and plans, and identify opportunities that strengthen sector growth, participation and equitable access to funding and opportunities.

Working across government and with First Nations arts and cultural stakeholders, you will help translate government priorities into practical strategies and initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes for the sector.

About Create NSW

Create NSW supports the people, places, communities, and creative work that shape the cultural life of NSW. Through investment, programs and partnerships, we help make creativity visible, valued and part of everyday life. Our work is guided by the NSW Government’s Creative Communities policy and a commitment to a vibrant, inclusive and future-focused sector.

What you’ll do

• Develop evidence-based policy advice and strategic recommendations relating to First Nations arts, culture and creative industries.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies and plans in partnership with key stakeholders and strategy sponsors.
• Design and deliver strategic frameworks and initiatives that support innovation, growth and opportunity across NSW’s creative industries.
• Research and analyse emerging trends, opportunities and challenges to inform policy and strategic decision-making.
• Develop reports, evaluation findings and recommendations to strengthen existing strategies and support continuous improvement.
• Engage with First Nations arts and cultural stakeholders, industry working groups and government partners to identify opportunities and policy levers that address sector priorities.
• Monitor and report on the implementation of the Creative Communities policy and related government priorities, including supporting whole-of-government reporting and the three-yearly Creative Statement to Parliament.
• Participate in cross-government, cross-jurisdiction forums and communities of practice to share insights, monitor progress and support effective implementation.

For any role specific questions, please reach out to Ali Murphy-Oates, Associate Director First Nations Policy & Engagement via [e-mail].

About You

We’re looking for an experienced strategic policy professional with strong knowledge of First Nations arts, culture and creative industries and the ability to work confidently across complex stakeholder environments.

You will have:

• Experience in First Nations policy development and strategic planning within the arts, culture or creative industries.
• Experience developing evidence-based advice for government, such as new policy proposals, business cases or strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering strategies, plans or programs that achieve measurable outcomes.
• Strong research, analytical and evaluation skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear strategic advice.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership skills, with the ability to build trust, influence outcomes and navigate diverse perspectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a changing environment.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline and/or demonstrated equivalent relevant professional experience.
• This is an Identified role. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity is a genuine requirement of the role under Section 14d of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and as such Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity is an essential requirement of the role. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identified positions are developed where 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.

Closing Date

Thursday 8 October 2026 [11:59pm]

Working at the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport

At the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport we bring vibrancy to NSW by growing our creative industries and workforces, driving strong visitor and night-time economies, ensuring a responsible hospitality sector, and putting arts, culture and sport at the heart of our communities.

Together we:

• Create social and economic opportunities for the state
• Support the creation of jobs across the creative, visitor and night-time economies
• Prioritise First Nations artists, stories and culture
• Ensure arts, culture and sport are at the heart of every community to be enjoyed and accessed by all
• Drive visitation through events, campaigns and visitor experience development
• Activate our night-time and creative economies to unlock unique precincts and community spaces
• Deliver a vibrant and responsible hospitality, liquor, racing and gaming environment
• Support NSW’s key Cultural Institutions to ensure access for all, enable community experiences and education and preserve the state’s diverse cultural assets and history

We believe diversity across our department allows us to be a true reflection of NSW citizens. We are a respectful workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you do require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please notify us on your application form.

At DCITHS, we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

If you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process or have an enquiry about the support provided, please contact Laura Steele, Talent Acquisition Partner at [e-mail] or on 02 8276 8359.

For more information on reasonable adjustments and types of alternate formats available through the recruitment process you can visit ‘Adjustments for Individual needs’ at I work for NSW.

A talent pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles for this role or similar roles that may become available over the next 18 months.