Deputy Secretary, Education and Skills Reform

• Full time ongoing role
• Join a leadership group transforming education in NSW, and make a difference to students in NSW
• Ongoing Public Service senior executive band 3 role with a remuneration range of $464,649 - $516,038 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 Education and Skills Reform division drives innovation, reform and policy development based on strategic analysis and evaluation, aligned with external relations for the education system. The division includes our Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation and works with the non-government schools sector, vocational and higher education sectors, and other government departments.

About the role

Reporting to the Secretary of the Department of Education, the Deputy Secretary holds ultimate responsibility for the division's performance, ensuring that it meets its objectives under the NSW Plan for Education and delivery of governmental election commitments.

The Deputy Secretary, Education and Skills Reform will drive sustained reform across the education and tertiary sectors through delivery of strategic analysis, policy development and performance monitoring services, focused on the school transformation agenda and identification and evaluation of emerging planning and decision influences in the transitioning from early childhood to primary, secondary and tertiary / vocational education.

The role will lead a team of professionals, providing guidance, mentorship and support to ensure the division's workforce is equipped to deliver on its mandate. The role demands exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.

For more details about this role, please click here to view the Role Description.

About you

To be the Deputy Secretary, you will need to demonstrate the right skills and experience to be at the forefront of one of education’s challenging training systems. As a member of the senior leadership group, you will be a collaborative leader, exemplifying the department’s values and behaviours, and promote a culture of innovation and agility. You will be able to effectively manage complex legislative and ethical frameworks to achieve capability outcomes. You will demonstrate the capability to provide timely and accurate advice to senior leaders and Government on complex matters, have outstanding judgement, strategic awareness, and parliamentary and media acumen.

Given the significant scope and responsibility of the role, the successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of policy development with experience in the implementation and review of strategic frameworks across education systems. Strong project management skills are vital for overseeing projects within budget and schedule, coordinating teams, and ensuring quality control. The role is subject to political, media and public scrutiny and you will need to be a polished, fluent and effective communicator.

Other desirable leadership attributes include strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills; capabilities in leading and successfully driving teams; ability to articulate complex issues and influence the agenda.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• 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.
• Appropriate qualifications in a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated extensive experience at a senior level in the management of major service deliverables in a large complex organisation.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
• Hold a valid clearance to work with Children (Working with Children Check).

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, 6 September 2026

Contact: For enquiries about the recruitment of this role, please contact Kaz Scott – kaz.scott@det.nsw.edu.au.

Please note:
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 talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. Candidates on a talent pool may be chosen and directly offered employment in other or similar roles (ongoing or term) in the near future.