Job Description

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Unique opportunity to leverage your finance or economics expertise in a strategic senior leadership role, overseeing three critical functions and leading a team of up to seven while driving financial sustainability, and key projects.
• 1 Ongoing full-time (35 hours per week) opportunity
• Office location Newcastle or Sydney hybrid working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $173,121 to $191,753 + super

Our Policy and Performance team is currently seeking to appoint a Senior Manager Finance, Economics and Projects.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role within the Natural Resources Access Regulator, leading the Finance, Economics and Projects functions and managing a team of up to seven professionals.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor to the Executive, overseeing budget strategy, forecasting, financial performance, economic analysis, project governance and the Project Management Office (PMO). Key initiatives include driving financial sustainability, supporting strategic decision-making through high-quality economic insights, strengthening project delivery and assurance frameworks, and leading engagement with Treasury, government agencies and senior stakeholders across the NSW public sector.

The team is collaborative, strategic and outcomes-focused, playing a critical role in enabling NRAR to achieve its regulatory objectives and deliver long-term value for the environment and the communities it serves.

About You

• Extensive experience in financial leadership, including budgeting, forecasting, financial performance reporting, and providing strategic advice to executive stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in economics, financial analysis, and business performance, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations and organisational strategy.
• Demonstrated experience leading project governance, PMO functions, and complex, organisation-wide initiatives that deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills, with the capability to build trusted relationships across executive teams, Treasury, government agencies, and external partners.
• Proven people leadership experience, including leading multidisciplinary teams, developing capability, fostering collaboration, and driving high performance.
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complexity, and support long-term organisational sustainability

Essential Requirements

• Tertiary qualifications and/or extensive experience in finance or economics
• Experience in/ knowledge of water related areas such as water planning, natural resource management or environmental science.
• Extensive knowledge of compliance and regulatory operations, and a deep understanding of strategic issues facing an environmental regulator

For more information read the full Role Description: Senior Manager Finance, Economics, and Projects NRAR

Who we are

Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR)

NRAR enforces the NSW water laws and offers guidance and education to help water users comply and undertakes detailed spatial analyses to both proactively detect and deter potential non-compliance.  

We strive to be an efficient and effective regulator that celebrates and reflects the diversity of the community we serve.  

Working with NRAR gives spatial analysts the opportunity to apply their geospatial expertise in support of regulatory operations. Spatial analysts play a key role in ensuring lawful water use by delivering advanced spatial analytics to support strategic water compliance initiatives and targeted compliance actions, NRAR’s spatial work underpins efficient and effective compliance for fair and sustainable water use across New South Wales. 

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

To Apply

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.

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.

Applications close Monday 27 July 2026 at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Ila Lessing via ila.lessing@nrar.nsw.gov.au

A recruitment 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.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing dcceew.ta@dpie.nsw.gov.au or contacting Celia Luis on 02 4904 2746 (please mention reference number 551562).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or our Aboriginal Career pathways team at AEX@dcceew.nsw.gov.au for a yarn.

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