Deputy Secretary, Child Protection and Permanency

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Deputy Secretary, Child Protection and Permanency

Based in Sydney with travel requirements across NSW for statewide engagement and outcomes

Full-Time - Ongoing Position

Salary Range: $437,471 to $487,363 total remuneration payable

Your role

The Deputy Secretary, Child Protection and Permanency, leads the delivery and reform of child protection and out-of-home services across NSW. This executive role provides strategic leadership, drives continuous improvement, and ensures services meet legislative requirements, government priorities, and community needs.

The role is pivotal in shaping the future of child protection, supporting Aboriginal outcomes, and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

What you'll do

As the Deputy Secretary, Child Protection and Permanency, you will:

• Lead and inspire a team of Executive Directors to deliver integrated, high-impact child protection and out-of-home care services aligned with government priorities.
• Drive strategic reform and innovation to ensure services are evidence-based, effective, and responsive to the needs of children, families, and communities.
• Champion culturally safe and inclusive practices, working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal communities to improve outcomes and reduce inequities.
• Oversee the delivery of safe, stable care pathways—including family preservation, restoration, guardianship, and adoption—that support long-term wellbeing for children and young people.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across government, non-government, and community sectors to enable collaborative, person-centred service delivery and system-wide reform.

What we're looking for

• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to lead large, complex service systems and drive reform aligned with government priorities.
• Expertise in Child Protection: Deep understanding of child protection and out-of-home care, including legislative frameworks and best practice approaches.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Strong commitment to working with Aboriginal communities to improve outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and maintain collaborative relationships across government, non-government, and other human services organisations..
• High-Level Advisory Skills: Capable of providing advice to Ministers and senior executives on critical issues and risks.
• Operational Excellence: Proven experience managing substantial financial resources, workforce capability, and performance outcomes in high-demand, complex service environments.
• Resilience and Integrity: Demonstrates courage, ethical leadership, and the ability to navigate complex challenges with composure.
• Change Management: Leads reform initiatives and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Inclusive Leadership: Values diversity, promotes staff wellbeing, and builds a positive, high-performing workplace culture.

Download the role description.

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To apply directly via the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for DCJ provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close Sunday 19 October 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT.

Got a question?

If you're interested in the role or have questions about the application process—including any adjustments or alternative methods for submitting your application. Please contact Marijana Puric at

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

Profile description:

The Deputy Secretary, Child Protection and Permanency, leads the delivery and reform of child protection and out-of-home services across NSW. This executive role provides strategic leadership, drives continuous improvement, and ensures services meet legislative requirements, government priorities, and community needs.

The role is pivotal in shaping the future of child protection, supporting Aboriginal outcomes, and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

We offer:

Working for DCJ provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.