Lead large scale impact. Achieve real results. Create lasting economic outcomes for First Nations communities.

Reporting to the Deputy Director‑General, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, you will lead a multidisciplinary portfolio of around 65 people to implement key initiatives aligned with the Queensland Government’s strategic priorities. You will oversee co-design, delivery and evaluation of programs with communities and councils, and lead community investment and grants initiatives including the Closing the Gap Priorities Fund.

You will drive measurable outcomes, remove barriers, strengthen partnerships, provide expert solutions and commercially focused advice, and ensure strong governance, risk management and accountability while fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.

Job details

The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity for an exceptional senior executive to improve living standards across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly in discrete First Nations communities, with a strong focus on health, housing, education and employment outcomes.

You will act with purpose at both strategic and delivery levels, decisively connecting economic strategy to on the ground outcomes. You will strengthen opportunities for First Nations businesses, align efforts across government portfolios, and ensure programs are delivered in the right way, at the right time, to achieve maximum impact.

You will bring teams together around shared outcomes, integrating infrastructure, grants and economic development to strengthen effectiveness and results. A key early priority will be shaping the division's operating model to ensure structures, roles and capabilities are aligned, future-focused and positioned to deliver transformative change.

You will negotiate, facilitate and remove barriers to progress, leading teams to deliver and demonstrate outcomes through clear evidence and accountability. You will provide trusted solutions and commercially-focused advice to Ministers and senior executives, and represent Queensland in State and national forums, influencing outcomes and advancing our priorities.

The Leader We Are Seeking
You are a highly inquisitive, evidence driven executive who tests assumptions, challenges ideas constructively and seeks proof. You bring curiosity and strong commercial judgement to complex challenges.

You anticipate emerging issues, identify opportunities, and translate them into clear, achievable strategies and actions. You are comfortable operating in dynamic environments, navigating complexity and driving meaningful change, including in commercially and operationally demanding contexts. You bring:

• Proven experience delivering large scale programs with robust governance, financial discipline, contract management and measurable outcomes.
• The ability to connect detail with the bigger picture, ensuring decisions are evidence-based and aligned to priorities.
• A strong track record negotiating, influencing and facilitating outcomes across government, communities and stakeholders.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams
• Knowledge of, or experience applying either planning or building legislation and associated frameworks.

As a member of the division's senior leadership team, you contribute to a unified divisional approach, shaping direction, aligning priorities and driving collaboration to deliver shared outcomes.

You are an accountable, hands on leader who sets clear expectations and delivers results. You bring teams with you, build internal capability, and build strong leadership teams.

Critically, you bring strong cultural capability and a demonstrated commitment to working respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring community-led approaches drive sustained outcomes for First Nations communities.

Regular travel, including to remote communities and Cairns, is required. Brisbane or a regional location will be considered.

This role strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and candidates from diverse backgrounds. Flexible work and workplace adjustments will be considered in line with operational requirements.

Interested?
Review the Role Description and follow the instructions to apply or arrange a confidential conversation about the role by contacting Wil Ivinson, Chief Human Resource Officer at Wil.Ivinson@dwatsipm.qld.gov.au 

Applications will remain current for a period of 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/689199/26

Closing Date: Monday, 1st June 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure to download any attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• 689199 26 - Role Description (Word, 4.77MB)