Great career opportunity to lead strategy, governance and transformation for an agency shaping Western Australia’s environmental and economic future.

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is seeking an exceptional leader to join its Corporate Executive as Deputy Director General Strategy and Performance.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a diverse and strategically significant portfolio at the heart of one of Western Australia's most significant regulatory agencies. Reporting to the Director General you will drive the systems, capability and organisational renewal that underpin DWER's success and position the department to deliver on its long-term aspirations.

Guided by DWER's Strategic Intent: Beyond 2050, you will help shape outcomes that support Western Australia's environmental, social and economic future. As a member of Corporate Executive, you will contribute to decisions that address some of the State's most complex challenges, including climate resilience, water security, sustainable development and environmental sustainability.

Providing high-level strategic advice to Ministers and working with central agencies, senior government leaders and key stakeholders, you will help strengthen the support and services provided by organisational performance, while supporting long-term environmental, social and economic outcomes.

The Organisation

DWER is Western Australia's primary water and environmental regulator. Our work supports healthy environments, secure water resources, climate resilience and sustainable economic development. We work with government, industry, communities and First Nations peoples to deliver outcomes that matter to Western Australians.

We are helping Western Australia navigate some of its most significant long-term challenges and opportunities, including climate resilience, water security, decarbonisation, sustainable economic development and environmental sustainability.

With more than 1,100 employees located across metropolitan and regional Western Australia, DWER brings together scientific expertise, regulatory stewardship and strategic partnerships to deliver practical solutions to complex environmental and resource management challenges.

Our values-based culture reflects who we are and how we go about business.

We care | We build trust | Better together | Open minds | We serve to make a difference

Find out more about us by visiting our website at www.dwer.wa.gov.au.

The Opportunity

This five-year appointment offers the opportunity to lead a broad and strategically important portfolio at the centre of DWER's operations and future direction.

As Deputy Director General Strategy and Performance, you will provide executive leadership across strategy and organisational performance, governance, risk and assurance, finance and procurement, people and workforce capability, information and digital services, legal services, communications and stakeholder engagement, organisational reform and transformation, together with executive oversight of the Office of the Appeals Convenor and the environmental appeals system.

Guided by DWER's Strategic Intent: Beyond 2050, you will help position the department to respond to the opportunities and challenges that will shape Western Australia over coming decades, including climate resilience, water security, sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon future.

You will oversee the frameworks, systems and capabilities that support sound decision-making, organisational performance and the delivery of government priorities. As a trusted adviser to the Director General and member of Corporate Executive, you will contribute to decisions that influence the department's long-term direction and strengthen public confidence in its performance, integrity and regulatory outcomes.

Working closely with Ministers, central agencies, senior leaders across government, industry, community organisations and First Nations stakeholders, you will help drive initiatives that:

• Strengthen governance, accountability and organisational performance.
• Lead significant organisational reform and transformation.
• Build the capability, systems and culture needed to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
• Advance DWER's long-term aspirations for healthy and protected natural systems, secure water resources, climate-resilient communities, sustainable economic development and a low-waste circular economy.
• Deliver outcomes that support Western Australia's environmental, social and economic future.

The department has adopted the Leadership Expectations, which provide a common understanding of the mindsets and behaviours required of all public sector employees. The leadership context for this role is Agency Leader.

About You

You are an accomplished executive leader with a demonstrated ability to lead through complexity, influence at senior levels and deliver sustained organisational improvement.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading large and complex organisations.
• A proven record of delivering strategic reform and organisational transformation.
• Experience providing strategic leadership across governance, organisational performance, transformation, people leadership or corporate services functions within large and complex organisations.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Sound judgement and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues.
• A commitment to integrity, collaboration and public value.

Most importantly, you are a strategic and authentic leader who can inspire confidence, build high-performing teams and bring people together to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes. If you are an accomplished executive leader seeking the opportunity to influence long-term outcomes for Western Australia while shaping the future of a high-performing public sector organisation, we encourage you to apply.

The attached Job Description provides more information about the position. For further job-related information, please contact Jennifer Grove, on 0438 066 013 or via email at jenniferg@gerard-daniels.com in the first instance.

How to apply

If you believe you have what it takes to succeed in this Senior Executive opportunity, please apply online by clicking the “Apply Now” button and provide the following in Word or PDF format: 

• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, that details your experience relevant to this opportunity
• A two (2) page cover letter outlining how your skills, experience and career achievements meet the work-related requirements of the position.
• Contact details for two (2) referees – one preferred to be your current supervisor. 

Interviews are scheduled to be held week commencing 21 September 2026.

Please Note:

• To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have documentary evidence of entitlement to live and work in Australia for the duration of the employment opportunity.
• DWER conducts employment screening which may include a Workforce Verification and Social Media check.

For technical difficulties while applying online or information about the application process, please contact us for assistance on (08) 6364 7800 or at recruitment@dwer.wa.gov.au – email address not to be used for submission of applications.

Access Needs

We use the National Relay Service (NRS) to ensure we are accessible to people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. NRS can help you connect with us on:

• TTY/voice calls – 133 677
• Speak & Listen – 1300 555 727
• SMS relay – 0423 677 767

If you have any access needs that may require adjustment to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, including alternate methods of communication, or to request a document in an alternative format please contact us at recruitment@dwer.wa.gov.au or on (08) 6364 7800.

This process may be used to fill similar vacancies that may arise within DWER and across the WA public sector over the next six (6) months. Vacancies may be full-time or part-time, permanent or fixed term with possibility of extension or permanency in a variety of metropolitan and regional locations.

CLOSING DATE: 4pm Friday 4 September 2026 (Australian Western Standard Time)

Applications that are in progress or submitted after the closing time will not be accepted.