Leader, Specialist Risk

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Multiple ongoing / Full-Time positions
• Located at Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Salary ranges from $125,693 - $138,510 p.a. plus super & leave loading

About the Opportunities 

Are you an experienced leader in case management with the ability to navigate sensitive and high-risk situations? The Health, Safety and Staff Wellbeing Directorate is seeking a skilled and resilient leader to join our Specialist Risk Response Unit, playing a key role in ensuring safe learning and working environments across NSW schools.

As the Leader, Specialist Risk, you will lead a team of case management professionals responding to and managing complex and high-risk matters. Your leadership will influence best practice approaches, support staff capability, and deliver outcomes that prioritise the wellbeing of students, staff, and school communities.

Apply now, this is your opportunity to be part of a dedicated team making a real difference across NSW public schools.

About the role

As a Leader, Specialist Risk, you will lead a team of professional staff in managing complex and high-risk incidents that impact the safety and wellbeing of staff, students, and school communities across NSW. The role is critical in ensuring effective case management practices, supporting safe learning environments, and strengthening departmental capability through collaboration, expert advice, and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and supervising a team of case management professionals, overseeing operational planning, coordination, and staff development to meet service delivery objectives.
• Providing case management for a portfolio of complex and high-risk incidents, ensuring sensitive and effective handling of matters affecting schools and workplaces.
• Coaching and mentoring team members, identifying training needs and building capability to enhance performance and service quality.
• Analysing performance data, identifying emerging trends and issues, and use insights to improve case management and incident response practices.
• Preparing high-quality reports, submissions, briefings, and correspondence to support business decisions and provide expert advice across the Department.
• Fostering collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including NSW Police, government agencies, and service providers, and represent the Department in interagency forums and working groups.
• Delivering accurate and timely operational advice to senior executives on complex, sensitive, or high-risk incidents.

For further information, please click here to view the role description

About you

• Demonstrated experience managing sensitive, complex and high-risk matters and is a confident leader, capable of coaching and building the capability of others.
• Outstanding interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, including with external partners such as NSW Police and other agencies
• Skilled at interpreting and applying policies, legislation and procedures
• Strong ability to analyse case data, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement
• Thrives under pressure and maintains professionalism in challenging situations

In this role, you’ll work in a fast-paced environment that is both challenging and rewarding. You'll collaborate with key internal and external partners, contribute to strategic improvements, and directly influence safer outcomes for school communities. With opportunities for professional development and the ability to make a meaningful impact, this is an excellent next step for leaders in case management or risk response.

If you're ready to lead with purpose and integrity in a role that makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Essential requirements of the role

• Working with Children Check for paid employment or willingness to obtain one
• Tertiary qualifications and/or experience in a related field
• Current NSW Drivers licence (or equivalent) and willingness to drive and travel
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
• 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.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

If you are interested in joining the team, we want to hear from you! 

Please attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

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, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

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.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Closing date Monday 16th of June 2025.

For role enquiries please contact Rik Hoole, Manager Specialist Risk on rik.hoole@det.nsw.edu.au or on 0476 828 870.

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.

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.