Director Creative Spaces

Create NSW leads programs and initiatives to activate and manage cultural spaces across NSW. With responsibility for a $1 billion property portfolio, this role is central to ensuring arts and culture have the spaces they need to thrive. From large scale developments to re-adaptive building uses this role will lead the strategic direction and implementation of Create NSW's space agenda.

We are seeking a collaborative leader to join us as Director, Creative Spaces. This role will oversee activation and management of key cultural assets, and build partnerships that drive innovative approaches, ensuring NSW's creative spaces are accessible, sustainable and fit for purpose.

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

About the role

Reporting to the Executive Director, Create NSW this role will:

• Lead activation, management and reform initiatives across a significant cultural property portfolio
• Build strong partnerships with government, industry, tenants and community stakeholders to drive outcomes
• Apply expertise in the property lifecycle, governance and tenancy management to maximise use and value of creative assets
• Drive regulatory reform, while thinking beyond regulation to deliver practical and impactful projects
• Provide steady and inclusive leadership to a team that navigating recent change, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture

About you

You are a visionary leader with the insight and experience to shape impact across the creative industries and broader public sector.

You bring expertise in property and tenancy management, stakeholder engagement and negotiation, with the ability to manage complex commercial partnerships. Knowledge of heritage conservation is desirable but not essential.

You are a nimble thinker, able to influence, problem-solve and push projects forward in a complex regulatory environment.

You have a strong understanding of the intersection between property and the arts, culture and creative sectors, including sector-specific complexities.

This is a unique opportunity to manage an exciting property portfolio, balancing commercial acumen with a passion for arts and culture.

How to apply

Click Apply Now to submit your application online.  Please include a cover letter and a brief resume that details your capabilities and experience in relation to the role.

Closing date: Monday, 29 September 2025 [9.59am]

Contact: Lisa Smith, Executive Talent Partner by email:

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 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.