Associate Director, Program Development and Partnerships

• Join Create NSW, a division of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
• Clerk Grade 11/12 with a salary range of $149,739 - $173,174 per annum plus superannuation
• Ongoing role based in The Rocks, Sydney CBD

About Create NSWCreate NSW supports the people, places, communities, and creative work that shape the cultural life of NSW. Through investment, programs and partnerships, we help make creativity visible, valued and part of everyday life. Our work is guided by the NSW Government's Creative Communities policy and a commitment to a vibrant, inclusive and future-focused sector.

About the role

This role leads the design and delivery of programs and initiatives that enhance equity, access and participation across the arts, culture and creative industries in NSW. Working within the framework of the Creative Communities Policy, sub-sector strategies and geographic plans, you will develop and implement programs that respond to sector challenges, promote inclusion, and strengthen the sustainability of creative communities. The role plays a key part in ensuring funding and investment are transparent, impactful and aligned with government priorities, helping to make creativity visible, valued and part of everyday life.

A core focus of the role is building strong, collaborative partnerships across government, the private sector, education institutions and cultural organisations to drive innovation and support the long-term growth of the sector. You will lead engagement with stakeholders representing priority communities to support program development, coordinate cross-government initiatives that improve access to services, and ensure programs deliver measurable benefits for artists, organisations and audiences across the state.

Day to day, you will manage relationships with major funded organisations and other funding agencies, provide informed advice to the Minister's Office on sector issues, and oversee the work of a team developing new programs and initiatives. Drawing on your knowledge of the arts and cultural landscape, you'll identify opportunities for improvement, guide policy and investment decisions, and help shape a vibrant, inclusive and future-focused creative sector for NSW.

For any questions related to the role, please contact David Gordon, Director, Program Development and Delivery via

About You

You bring deep knowledge of the arts and cultural sector, including current funding models, policy settings and the challenges facing creative organisations. With extensive experience designing and delivering programs within the arts, culture or creative industries, you're able to develop practical and inclusive initiatives that respond to these challenges. You're skilled at navigating complex policy environments, aligning programs with government priorities, and ensuring that outcomes are measurable, transparent and meaningful.

You're experienced in building strategic partnerships across government, the private sector and cultural institutions to create opportunities that strengthen the sector's long-term sustainability. Day to day, you're comfortable managing relationships with major funded organisations and funding agencies, fostering trust and collaboration. You also bring sound judgement and strong communication skills to provide clear, well-informed advice to the Minister's Office on contemporary issues impacting both individual organisations and the sector more broadly.

To learn more about the role, please click here to download the role description.

How to Apply

Your application must include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and an up-to-date resume (maximum 5 pages) that details your capabilities and experience in relation to the above role. Applications must be submitted via our recruitment portal; applications will not be accepted by email.

Closing Date: Tuesday 4 November 2025 [10.00AM]

Contact: Sally McRae, Talent Acquisition Partner via

Working at the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport

At the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport we bring vibrancy to NSW by growing our creative industries and workforces, driving strong visitor and night-time economies, ensuring a responsible hospitality sector, and putting arts, culture and sport at the heart of our communities.

Together we:

• Create social and economic opportunities for the state
• Support the creation of jobs across the creative, visitor and night-time economies
• Prioritise First Nations artists, stories and culture
• Ensure arts, culture and sport are at the heart of every community to be enjoyed and accessed by all
• Drive visitation through events, campaigns and visitor experience development
• Activate our night-time and creative economies to unlock unique precincts and community spaces
• Deliver a vibrant and responsible hospitality, liquor, racing and gaming environment
• Support NSW's key Cultural Institutions to ensure access for all, enable community experiences and education and preserve the state's diverse cultural assets and history.

We believe diversity across our department allows us to be a true reflection of NSW citizens. We are a respectful workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you do require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please notify us on your application form.

A talent pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles for this role or similar roles that may become available over the next 18 months.