At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.
- Ongoing Full time
- Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
- Salary: Clerk Grade 11/12 with salary ranging from $149,739 to $173,174 + super and annual leave loading
- Drive strategic financial policy and shape decision-making across one of Australia's largest public sector organisations
About the role
An exciting opportunity exists for a highly skilled and strategic leader to influence the future strategic direction of finance at the Department.
Reporting to the Director, you will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Finance's strategic policy framework, ensuring the Department's financial management approach remains contemporary, evidence-based and aligned to organisational priorities.
For further information please click here to view the role description
About you
You are a strategic thinker and experienced people leader with a strong background in policy development, strategy, financial management or public sector governance. You thrive in complex environments and can confidently navigate competing priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes.
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:
- Experience leading strategy, policy, governance or financial management initiatives in a complex environment.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to develop evidence-based recommendations.
- Experience providing strategic advice to senior executives and influencing decision-making.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, consultation and negotiation skills.
- Proven leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong project management skills and the ability to deliver outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Key knowledge and experience
- Extensive experience leading policy research, development and maintenance.
- Extensive experience in stakeholder management, including building strong relationships and influencing / negotiation
- Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Essential requirements of the role
- Qualifications in a relevant discipline or proven equivalent knowledge, skills and experience
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
Benefits
- 35 hour working week
- Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
- Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth
- Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
How to apply
Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role. You will also need to respond to a targeted question as part of the application.
Targeted Question
Describe a time when you led the development of a strategic policy, or financial management initiative in a complex environment. (300 words)
Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.
If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education,
All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.
Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.
As a condition of employment, successful candidates not currently employed by the Department must provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance number. Renewal is not required after the WWCC expires, as long as you remain in a non–child-related role. Employer obligations only apply while the WWCC is valid.
Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.
Closing date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026 at 11:59pm.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.
A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.