Executive Director, Portfolio Strategy and Priority Projects

About us

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.

About the role

The Executive Director leads a multidisciplinary team delivering strategic advice, priority government projects and initiatives that make a real difference for the Victorian community. This role will lead commissions of inquiry, priority reforms in Victoria's housing statement including the Portable Rental Bonds Scheme, Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria, consumer reforms such as the Fair Fuel Plan,and lead systems thinking and system stewardship of the rental and local government sectors.

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary, this role provides authoritative advice to the Secretary, Ministers and senior stakeholders across state and local government. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Executive Director shapes long-term strategy, drives reform and builds strong partnerships across government to deliver positive outcomes. Leading a flexible and high-performing workforce, the role fosters a collaborative culture focused on excellence, accountability and continuous improvement. For a full list of key accountabilities please reference the position description.

About you

To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate:

• Extensive senior executive experience, with a proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary teams of professionals, building positive, constructive and high-performance workplace cultures and strong staff engagement and modelling of organisational values.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience of local government and a proven track record of leading high-performing and sector-specific policy and regulatory portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience working successfully at senior levels in the public sector with the ability to work closely with Ministers and their offices and senior departmental executives, providing high-level, authoritative advice on complex public policy, service delivery and regulatory matters.
• High level interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to work collaboratively, develop networks and foster effective working relationships with key stakeholders at the most senior levels across government and with sector and community representatives.
• A strong track record and demonstrated capability to negotiate, influence and build consensus with key stakeholders, and to effectively manage difficult issues and competing interests.
• Highly developed analytical and conceptual skills, including demonstrated experience and capability to identify and address emerging policy and regulatory issues, develop strategies and frameworks and deliver positive and innovative solutions.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

How to apply

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on 23 November 2025. All applications should include:

• a resume; and

• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

Other relevant information

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.