• Unique opportunity to lead one of the largest and most diverse public land portfolios in Australia, shaping the future of Crown land and iconic public spaces across NSW
• Permanent/ongoing full-time role available
• Based in Parramatta with flexible working supported

Are you a visionary executive leader who is motivated by purpose and legacy? Do you want to shape how public land is stewarded, activated and preserved for generations to come?

Reporting to the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary Crown Lands and Public Spaces leads a high-impact portfolio responsible for unlocking public value from land and place across the State. This is one of the most significant stewardship roles in NSW Government which oversees vast and diverse landholdings and some of the State’s most iconic public destinations.

The portfolio includes Crown Lands, Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Greater Sydney Parklands, Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW and Placemaking NSW. Together, these entities manage and activate land and assets across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW – from harbourside precincts and major parklands to community infrastructure, gardens and Crown reserves.

About the Role
As the Deputy Secretary Crown Lands and Public Spaces, you will set the long-term strategic direction for the Crown Lands and Public Spaces Group, leading legislative reform, modernising land management frameworks and embedding contemporary stewardship practices that balance environmental, cultural, social and economic outcomes.

You will drive the activation of public land to unlock community benefit while safeguarding the long-term public interest. Operating in a highly visible and often contested environment, you will need to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, manage matters of political and media sensitivity, and provide authoritative, evidence-based advice to the Secretary and Ministers.

A key aspect of the role will be advancing Aboriginal land rights and interests which will include accelerating land claim and native title outcomes and fostering genuine partnerships that create economic and social opportunity for Aboriginal communities. You will also strengthen governance, financial sustainability and performance across a diverse, multi-entity portfolio, aligning boards, advisory bodies and executive leaders to shared strategic outcomes.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a portfolio that sits at the intersection of land, community, culture, environment and economic development – and to shape how public spaces serve the people of NSW now and into the future.

For more information read the full Role Description: Deputy Secretary Crown Lands and Public Spaces

About You
To be successful in this role, you will be an accomplished and values-driven senior executive with the judgement, resilience and strategic foresight to lead in a complex public environment. You will bring demonstrated experience overseeing large-scale land, infrastructure, property, environmental or public asset portfolios – ideally within government or similarly regulated environments.

Commercially astute and financially literate, you understand how to balance public value with sustainable revenue and investment strategies. You are also experienced in working with boards and statutory bodies and bring a strong grasp of governance, risk and accountability frameworks.

It is essential that you are an influential stakeholder leader, confident advising Ministers and navigating scrutiny. Importantly, you demonstrate a genuine commitment to stewardship of public assets and advancing meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

If you are motivated by purpose and meaningful reform, and are seeking a role of scale, influence and enduring impact, we want to hear from you!

About Us
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities.

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, and offers workplace adjustments. 

To Apply
If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close on Sunday 29 March 2026 at 11:55pm

Should you require further information about the role please contact Melissa Chetcuti, Senior Manager Executive Talent Acquisition via email at melissa.chetcuti@dpie.nsw.gov.au

A recruitment 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.

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.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?
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 3, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.