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Executive Director
Employment and Trade Policy; Strategy and Skills Performance; Brisbane City
As Executive Director, Employment and Trade Policy, you will provide executive leadership and direction in the development of strategic policy advice and analysis across the employment and trade portfolios. Working closely with the Deputy Director-General, you will lead policy initiatives that deliver on government commitments and targets, advance portfolio priorities across skills and training, employment, skilled migration, international education and trade, and lead a highperforming policy team. This is a unique opportunity to shape policy in a dynamic and evolving public sector environment.
Job details
| Position status | Contract |
|---|---|
| Position type | Flexible full-time |
| Occupational group | Executive |
| Classification | SES2(H) |
| Workplace Location | Brisbane Inner City |
| Job ad reference | QLD/691917/26 |
| Closing date | 29-Jun-2026 |
| Job duration | 5 years with possible extension |
| Contact person | Jackie Ingram |
| Contact details | Phone: 0436 851 235 Access the National Relay Service |
The Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) is seeking a highly capable and experienced executive leader for the role of Executive Director, Employment and Trade Policy (SES2).
This is a rare and impactful opportunity to shape the strategic direction of Queensland's employment and trade policy within a complex and evolving public sector environment. As Executive Director, you will provide executive leadership and direction across policy portfolios spanning employment, skilled migration, international education and trade — areas that directly shape the opportunities and prosperity of Queenslanders and Queensland's economy.
Working closely with the Deputy Director-General, you will lead the development of policy initiatives that deliver on government commitments and targets, while fostering and sustaining effective strategic partnerships to drive the design and implementation of new policies and systemic improvements. You will maintain close liaison with other government departments and national communities to promote and reinforce the department's commitment to achieving excellent outcomes.
As a leader, you will inspire and empower a high-performing team, driving staff performance and contributing to divisional planning to ensure service standards consistently align with corporate goals and priorities.
This is a high-impact executive role that requires vision, adaptability and the ability to navigate a complex organisation and sensitive environments.
We are seeking an executive leader who:
- Demonstrates exceptional organisational leadership within the department and across key stakeholder groups, partnering with internal and external stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into actionable and measurable outcomes.
- Actively promotes and supports the inclusion of diverse perspectives from colleagues, communities, and partners to ensure policy and strategy development is informed, inclusive, and aligned with stakeholder needs.
- Manoeuvres through complex organisational and sensitive environments, maintaining professionalism and delivering outcomes that align with departmental and government priorities.
- Leads and supports change initiatives with a positive and proactive approach, fostering an optimistic outlook and building workforce readiness through clear communication and the implementation of strategic support mechanisms that enable teams to adapt and thrive.
- Fosters a workplace culture where all individuals share a personal responsibility for promoting the physical and psychological health and safety of others, demonstrating exceptional personal conduct.
Refer to the Role Description below for further detail on the responsibilities and requirements of the role.
How to apply:
Click Apply Now to submit:
1. your resume (including two referees); and
2. a cover letter of no more than two pages, outlining your interest in the role and how your knowledge, skills and experience what makes you a strong candidate.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you require reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us.
Applications to remain current for 12 months.
Further information
We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.
Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.
Documents
Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.
