Director Specialist Harm Prevention

Lead regulatory responses to harm prevention

• Public Service Senior Executive Band 1
  
• Ongoing, full‑time
  
• Parramatta or Sydney (flexible working arrangements available)
• Total Remuneration Package starting from $255,301, commensurate with experience

Make a real impact where it matters most
As Director Specialist Harm Prevention, you will lead expert technical teams in the delivery of SafeWork NSW’s regulatory response to a range of harms and hazards—including how we prevent harm, intervene early and support better outcomes for workers and employers across NSW.

This is a high‑impact senior executive role operating at the intersection of regulation, compliance, and worker and employer engagement, requiring strong judgement, influence and a deep commitment to public value.

What you’ll lead
In this role, you will:

• Lead the delivery of SafeWork NSW’s specialist harm functions, ensuring a contemporary, risk‑based approach to harm prevention and compliance.
  
• Support the design and delivery of targeted harm prevention regulatory programs addressing harms involving hazardous substances including silica and asbestos and within the occupational health environment, particularly in high‑risk or complex environments.
  
• Oversee frontline delivery to ensure timely, proportionate and consistent regulatory responses to incidents, reports and service requests.
  
• Establish strong governance, assurance and operational standards that lift regulatory capability, consistency and confidence across work activities.
  
• Provide authoritative advice to senior leaders, government and external stakeholders on specialist harm prevention technical and operational safety matters and regulatory practice.
  
• Build productive relationships with workers, employers, unions, health professionals and government partners to support early intervention, capability uplift and shared solutions.
• Lead and develop high‑performing teams, fostering a positive, inclusive, accountable culture in a sensitive, high‑profile and often contested regulatory environment.

What you’ll bring
We’re looking for a senior leader who combines regulatory expertise, credibility and strong people leadership.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in work health and safety, regulation or compliance, or a closely related field.
  
• Strong understanding of risk‑based regulation and the application of evidence‑informed approaches to complex harm prevention challenges.
  
• Proven ability to operate confidently in high‑risk, sensitive and politically visible environments, exercising sound judgement and integrity.
  
• Experience influencing and partnering with diverse stakeholders with competing perspectives and priorities.
  
• A collaborative leadership style that builds trust, capability and consistency across multidisciplinary teams.
  
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent senior‑level experience.
  

Experience within a regulator is not essential—what matters is your ability to lead complex regulatory interventions and deliver better outcomes for workers and workplaces.

Why join SafeWork NSW?
SafeWork NSW is the state’s work health and safety regulator. Our purpose is to protect workers by preventing and reducing work‑related fatalities, serious injuries and illness and by securing compliance with work health and safety legislation.

As a modern, trusted and standalone regulator this role offers the opportunity to:

• Influence how NSW responds to work health safety risks and hazards
  
• Shape regulatory practice in an evolving and high‑impact policy area
  
• Lead meaningful, purpose‑driven work with system‑wide impact
•  Be part of an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve

Interested?
Please submit a combined application document, with a cover letter (maximum two pages) as the first pages of your submission, followed by your CV. Your cover letter should outline how your skills and experience align with the role.

Click Here to access the Role Description . For enquiries relating to recruitment please contact Caitlin Birrell via caitlin.birrell@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.

Closing Date: Sunday 20 September at 11:59pm

Visit the Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in the role description.

A talent pool may be created as part of this recruitment process and will be valid for up to 18 months. The talent pool may be used to fill future ongoing or temporary vacancies of the same or similar role.     

Careers at Department of Customer Service

A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

Belong in our diverse and inclusive workplace   
The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different backgrounds and perspectives.

You can view our full diversity and inclusion statement here.

We provide adjustments to the recruitment process for candidates, including individuals with disability. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, including alternate formats or have questions about the support available, please contact Talent Operations on 02 8276 8130 or csrecruitment@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.

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Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process