Director, Work Health and Safety

• Join a leadership group transforming education in NSW, and make a difference to students in NSW  

• An organisation focused on values and fosters a healthy work-life balance 

• Ongoing Public Service Senior Executive Band 1 role with a remuneration range of $231,159 - $255,262 per annum 

• Based in Parramatta with flexible work options 

About us 

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training. 
   
We ensure young children get the best start in life by supporting and regulating the early childhood education and care sector. We unlock excellence and unleash the potential of two-thirds of school children in NSW. We’re proudly public and the largest education system in Australia. We nurture opportunities for every learner to develop the skills needed for their chosen career path, helping shape the industries of tomorrow. 
   
We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples of Australia. 

The role 

The Director, Work Health and Safety provides strategic leadership and direction in developing and implementing effective health, safety, wellbeing and environmental strategies and programs. This role is responsible for managing organisational Work Health and Safety (WHS), psychosocial and environmental risks compliance in accordance with applicable legislation and regulations and promoting mentally healthy schools and workplaces for our staff, students and the community.  

This is a critical role within the department, reporting to the Executive Director, Work Health and Safety, the role is responsible for navigating the complexities of balancing immediate operational, WHS compliance with regulatory demands while providing strategic leadership in risk identification and mitigation. This involves making high-stakes decisions in a politically sensitive environment subject to intense scrutiny by the government, unions, public, and media, where any action can have significant departmental and public repercussions. 

For more details about this role, please click here to view the role description 

About you 

You are an experienced strategic leadership professional with expert knowledge and experience in the interpretation and implementation of the health, safety & wellbeing elements of the WH&S Legislation in addition to the NSW environmental legislation, as well as relevant regulations and codes of practice related to safety management.   

As a seasoned executive, you will inspire and drive a high-performing team focused on best practices; continuous improvement and foster a strong safety culture within the both the team and across the department. Your effective communication and interpersonal skills will allow you to establish collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.  

As a leader you will join an executive team focused on driving improved ways of working to deliver meaningful and long-lasting impact. You will be collaborative, courageous, agile, and disciplined about delivering outcomes for the students of NSW. 

To be successful in this role, you will have: 

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as safety/WHS, business, management, social sciences, or equivalent knowledge and extensive experience.  

• Hold a valid clearance to work with Children (Working with Children Check).  

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.  

• Demonstrated extensive experience at a senior level in the management of a large complex organization and the capacity to develop, lead and improve risk management, Health, Safety and Environment systems, and outcomes.   

• 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. 

As a condition of employment, successful candidates who have not previously worked for the department will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number. This option would allow the WWCC to naturally expire without further communication needed with the employee. The employer obligations under the WWCC would apply for duration of the WWCC’s validity (up to 5 years). 

Interested? 

To apply for this role, please submit an online application and attach your resume along with a cover letter which describes how your capabilities, knowledge and experience make you the best person for this role. 

Applications Close: 11:59pm on Sunday, 29 June 2025 

Contact: For enquiries about the recruitment of this role, please contact Mary Noy, Executive Director, Work Health and Safety on 0484 128 103 or via email at mary.noy1@det.nsw.edu.au. 

Please note:  

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team (dandi@det.nsw.edu.au) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.