Director, Risk (Chief Risk Officer)

• 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 1 role with a remuneration range of $247865 - $272811 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. Were 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.

About the role

The Chief Risk Officer is our key strategic leader responsible for the implementation of the departments Risk Management Framework. The role provides leadership as a risk advocate leading critical advice and support to the Executive to manage their risks and effectiveness of their control environment.

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

About you

The successful candidate will have demonstrated extensive experience in creating consistent and high-level risk management and mitigating practices within large and complex environments. You have the ability to navigate and respond to challenges which may impede effective delivery against strategic objectives including identifying mechanisms to mitigate risks.

Your highly developed influencing and stakeholder engagement skills along with the ability to cultivate diverse and complex relationships to drive mindset change will be critical to success in this role.

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 education business management social sciences or communications and/or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Hold a valid clearance to work with children (Working with Children Check).
• Demonstrated extensive experience at a senior level in the management in a large complex organisation.
• Substantial senior level experience in managing the development and implementation of risk management frameworks.
• Experience in successfully transforming building and implementing risk management frameworks and processes.
• Experience in leading business continuity and / or crisis management functions to support the departments preparedness for disruptive events.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Departments Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Departments 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 WWCCs 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 18 January 2026

Contact: For enquiries about the recruitment of this role please contact Sabrina Lau

Please note the team is not available to provide support during the Christmas closedown period 25 December 2025 - 11 January 2026. Please reach out via from Monday 12 January 2026.

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 () or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

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.