Aboriginal Director Child Safety and Wellbeing

Department: Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing

Department/Agency: Department of Communities and Justice

Location:

Parramatta, NSW, AU, 2150

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Req ID: 84541

Director, Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing

Based in Parramatta

Ongoing position available

Senior Executive Band 1

Total remuneration package of $231,238 to $256,184

About the team

This is a rare opportunity to lead at the forefront of system reform and deliver meaningful change for Aboriginal children, families and communities across NSW.

Child and Family plays a central role in shaping and delivering major reforms across the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). We work across government and with communities to design, implement and evaluate reforms that drive measurable change for children, families and communities.

Our work recognises the importance of cultural safety and meaningful engagement with Aboriginal communities and organisations. The Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing (ACSW) team is committed to embedding Aboriginal perspectives, knowledge and leadership into policy and service design to create sustainable change.

This is a critical time of reform, with a unique opportunity to influence whole-of-system change and shift outcomes for Aboriginal children, families and communities.

Your role

As the Director Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing, you will lead system-wide reform and drive initiatives that deliver real change for Aboriginal children, families and communities.

You will provide culturally informed, strategic advice to senior executives and government, while building strong partnerships with Aboriginal stakeholders to ensure reforms achieve meaningful impact.

This role requires you to bring people together across divisions, challenge and influence thinking, and drive momentum to achieve tangible outcomes. It is a unique opportunity to shape reform and contribute to changing the trajectory for Aboriginal children and communities. This is a role for someone who can influence, challenge, and drive progress in complex environments.

In this role, you will

Lead and oversee major reform initiatives that deliver improved outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities

Provide strategic, culturally informed advice on complex and sensitive issues to senior executives and government

Build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal communities, organisations and leaders

Bring divisions and agencies together to drive coordinated, system-wide reform

Apply strong experience in policy development and program management to design, implement and deliver initiatives that achieve meaningful outcomes

Challenge the status quo and apply innovative thinking to complex policy and system challenges

Influence and motivate stakeholders to drive progress and achieve results

Lead and develop a high-performing team to deliver high-impact programs and strategic outcomes

Establish governance, performance and evaluation frameworks to enable successful reform delivery

What we’re looking for

We are seeking a courageous and influential Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander senior leader who can navigate complexity, bring people with them, and drive change in challenging environments. You will demonstrate strong cultural capability and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities.

Extensive experience leading strategic reform, policy development and complex programs at a senior level

Deep understanding of the needs, priorities and aspirations of Aboriginal communities, and the ability to work in genuine partnership

Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior stakeholders across government and community sectors

A collaborative leader who can bring people together and drive outcomes across organisational boundaries

Courage to challenge, innovate and constructively “agitate” to achieve meaningful change

Strong leadership capability, with experience building and leading high-performing teams

Highly developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills in complex and sensitive environments

Demonstrated ability to analyse complex issues, provide evidence-based advice and deliver practical, outcomes-focused solutions

Does this sound like you?

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons. Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people.

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?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close Tuesday 4 August 2026 at 11:59pm (AEST).

Got a question?

For more information about the role, the application process, 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 Dylan Huke on 0484 362 936 or via email at seniorexecutiverecruitment@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 Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

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

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/