Job Description

Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies.

• An exciting leadership role to lead trusted cultural advice and policy to shape better outcomes with and for Aboriginal communities across NSW.
• 6-month temporary opportunity
• Sydney or Regional location encouraged with hybrid working supported
• TRP from $247K to $272K including superannuation, commensurate with experience

What’s in it for me?

Join our deadly team and culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support We offer flexibility in work arrangements, diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. Additionally, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to succeed. This is an identified position, where Aboriginal identity, cultural knowledge or connections are a genuine aspect of the role.

The Director Aboriginal Unity role sits at the heart of how DPHI works with and for Aboriginal peoples, communities and entities across NSW. It focuses on influencing reforming government by empowering Aboriginal peoples and community-led approaches —leading the policy, reporting and ministerial services portfolios of ASPE to make sure advice, briefings and reforms are culturally informed, credible and timely. The Director provides trusted cultural leadership and guidance that helps decision‑makers get it right, while embedding place‑based, inclusive approaches aligned to Closing the Gap commitments and whole‑of‑government priorities.

The role balances building a high‑level of trust and sustainable relationships, to foster a network of Aboriginal cultural experts and service providers to advance shared outcomes between government and Aboriginal communities. It leads multidisciplinary teams, drives best‑practice capacity building and stimulating investments, and manages relationships with Ministers, executives and Aboriginal communities— with the need to respond quickly to complex, sensitive and often competing demands. At its core, the role ensures Aboriginal voices, rights and perspectives are genuinely reflected in policy environments, systems and services, while strengthening the Department’s cultural capability and ability to deliver better outcomes on the ground.

For more information read the full Role Description: Director Aboriginal Unity ASPE

What you will bring to the role

• Extensive experience in a policy and coordination function which champions Aboriginal outcomes, including embedding strategic and operational processes within core business and advice at a senior level.

• Experience in delivering Department wide strategies, including thought leadership, coordination and reporting.

• Experience partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and entities

What is an essential requirement:

• Aboriginal identified positions are developed where Aboriginal 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.

About us

The Aboriginal Strategy, Policy and Engagement (ASPE) division focuses on bettering outcomes with and for Aboriginal peoples, communities and entities (our partners) in NSW. ASPE centralises the Department’s coordination of Aboriginal outcomes to maximise the prosperity of our partners through approaches that unify our organisation, whilst protecting the cultural rights and interests expressed by the communities we seek to serve.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively; and deliver affordable and diverse housing.

We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and building the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities.

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share and workplace adjustments.

Information Session
In addition to this process, we will hold an Information Session about this role and team, on Wednesday 8 April 2026 from 1:00pm to 1:30pm, if you are interested in the session, please register your interest by emailing executive.talent@dpie.nsw.gov.au

Join us

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close Sunday 19th April 2026 at 11:55PM

Should you require further information about the role please contact Matthew Dwyer via matthew.dwyer@dpie.nsw.gov.au

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander check out our Aboriginal guide to applying for a role

If we can make adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team on Diversity@DPIE.nsw.gov.au