Strategic Governance Manager

Strategic Governance Manager

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Ongoing/Full-Time
• Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Clerk Grade 11/12 | $149,739 - $173,174 plus superannuation

About the role

• Support executive decision-making through clear advice and insight
• Drive strategic oversight across policies, projects, and risks
• Manage relationships with senior stakeholders and governance bodies
• Lead development of governance frameworks and reporting models
• Align governance practices with legislation, priorities, and best practice

This high impact role sits within the Office of the Secretary's Strategic Governance team responsible for embedding strong governance practices and enabling high-quality decision-making across the organisation. The team provides strategic oversight of key functions, including enterprise risk, performance reporting, compliance, and policy frameworks.

As the Strategic Governance Manager, you will lead a team providing strategic advice and high-quality secretariat support to the Secretary, Senior Executives, and an Executive Committee.  You will lead the design and implementation of governance systems that promote transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

You will build strong partnerships across the department with senior leaders, committees, and external stakeholders to ensure decisions are informed, risks are managed, and organisational objectives are achieved. This is a leadership role with significant influence over how governance shapes culture and performance across the department.

You will also drive continuous improvement initiatives and lead, coach and mentor high-performing team.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

• Skilled in leading governance and performance frameworks
• Proven ability to provide strategic advice, prepare high-level briefings, and deliver robust secretariat support to senior executives and governance committees. 
• Expertise in developing policy briefings, board papers, and complex reports.
• Exceptional ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders to resolve issues and drive strategic outcomes.
• Strong track record in mentoring high-performing teams within complex environments.
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Tertiary qualifications in Business Management, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline and/or demonstrated equivalent professional experience.
• Current and valid Working with Children Check Clearance for paid employment
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and answer the questions below outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Describe a time you provided strategic advice to senior executives on a high-stakes governance, policy, risk or performance issue. How did you ensure your advice was actionable, and what was the outcome?

Tell us about a governance improvement you initiated outside your direct team. How did you engage stakeholders to drive adoption, and how did it enhance outcome?

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Closing date Thursday, 4 September 2025 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Vivian at

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 recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.