Executive Director, Strategic Development

 

Shape your world. Shape NSW through projects that matter

• Lead a diverse pipeline of high-profile government property projects
• Temporary 4-year full-time opportunity
• Office location based in Parramatta, Sydney
• TRP from $299,767 to $337,186 including superannuation, commensurate with experience

 

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-impact strategic development portfolio shaping how government land, infrastructure and workplaces are planned, developed and delivered across New South Wales.

From multi-million-dollar fit-outs through to major $100M–$200M developments, you’ll oversee a varied pipeline of projects; each complex, visible and critical to how people work, connect and access services across the state.

 

The role

As Executive Director, Strategic Development, you will lead the development and delivery of property projects and programs across the NSW Government portfolio. You’ll set the direction and stay close to delivery. Making sure projects are well defined, well governed and set up for success from the start. The role reports directly into the CEO of Property Development NSW and will form part of the Executive Leadership Team.

 

Working across whole-of-government priorities, you will bring together multiple agencies, align competing interests and guide projects from early feasibility through to delivery. You’ll lead a small, high-performing executive cohort, creating clarity, pace and consistency across a complex program of work.

 

Key accountabilities include:

• Lead a diverse portfolio of property projects from complex fit-outs to major development programs
• Set projects up for success through strong governance, clear business cases and disciplined delivery frameworks
• Oversee projects across a range of scales and complexities, ensuring consistent performance across the portfolio
• Provide trusted advice to Ministers, Cabinet and senior leaders, including high-quality submissions
• Drive cross-government collaboration to align agencies and deliver shared outcomes
• Lead commercial negotiations, development strategies and feasibility assessments
• Stay close to delivery; balancing strategic oversight with attention to detail across projects
• Build a high-performing, collaborative leadership team

For more information about this position, read the full Role Description: Executive Director Strategic Development

What you bring

You are a strategic, commercially astute executive with deep development experience and a strong understanding of project delivery. You think long-term, but you’re not hands-off. You know how to set projects up well and you stay close enough to ensure they land.

 

You will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in development management
• Strong program and project governance capability across complex portfolios
• A track record delivering projects across a range of sizes, risks and stakeholder environments
• Well-developed commercial acumen, including feasibility, negotiations and transactions
• Experience operating across government or similarly complex systems, with strong political awareness
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and align outcomes across organisations
• A practical, delivery-focused mindset where you are comfortable working between strategy and detail

 

Essential requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in a property related discipline which may include property development, project management, or property economics
• Extensive experience and successful track record in delivering complex projects that have required the engagement and support of a range of stakeholders

 

Why this role matters

This is more than a delivery role. It’s an opportunity to shape how NSW Government uses its property footprint to support communities, services and economic growth.

 

You’ll work across a wide range of projects—different in scale, complexity and challenge, but all important to delivering better outcomes for people across NSW.

 

And you’ll do it as part of a connected, collaborative system—working better together to bring strong ideas to life and deliver real impact.

 

About us

At the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), you could shape your world while helping us shape the future of NSW. Together, we create vibrant communities, places and precincts, and manage land, assets and property.

We are a high-performing organisation that proudly reflects the communities we serve. Our diversity strengthens our cultural capability and enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across NSW. As an inclusive and accessible workplace, we value your contribution, lived experience and cultural knowledge, and we want you to feel supported, connected and empowered to succeed. With flexible work arrangements, job share options, workplace adjustments and various employee affinity groups, we are here to help you thrive every day.

 

Join us

If this role sounds like the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply with your CV and cover letter.

 

Applications close Sunday 12 July at 11.55pm. Should you require further information about the role please contact Rose Kent, A/Senior Manager Talent Acquisition on 0419 564 141 or rose.kent@dphi.nsw.gov.au.

 

A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

 

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.

 

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via talent.acquisition@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 63637676​ - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

 

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including a criminal record check.