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Director, Strategic Initiatives

  • Perth Metropolitan, Western Australia
  • Department of Energy and Economic Diversification
  • Permanent - Full Time
  • Closing at: Aug 17 2026 - 15:00 AWST
  • PoweringWA
  • Strategic Initiatives > PoweringWA
  • Level 8
  • Level 8, $163,427 - $176,990 pa + super (PSCAA 2024)
  • 1.0
  • EED25026
  • Perth CBD
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Shape the Future of Western Australia

Join a department that’s powering WA’s energy transition and building a bold, diverse economy for generations to come. At the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED), your work will help drive innovation, support local businesses, and position WA on the global stage. If you're ready to make a real impact - this is where your next chapter begins.

Grow your career with us

Explore our career opportunities and graduate program to discover how you can make a meaningful impact. For current vacancies, visit us on LinkedIn or head to the DEED corporate website.

About the Department

DEED is responsible for securing the State’s energy and economic future, driving innovation and long-term prosperity for all. This includes:

  • Ensuring Western Australia is a reliable, efficient and attractive place to do business
  • Increasing business investment
  • Fostering Western Australia’s skills and capacity now and into the future
  • Driving the energy transition

The Department is guided by the following principles which shape our culture, decision-making and strategic direction:

  • Lead with empathy and integrity: Act with kindness, respect and care for colleagues, stakeholders and communities. Be authentic and transparent, making grounded decisions that balance immediate needs with long-term priorities.
  • Collaborate and connect: Build trust and strong relationships across teams, regions and international offices. Break down silos, share expertise and engage stakeholders constructively to deliver better outcomes together.
  • Take ownership and be accountable: Lead at every level by taking initiative, leaning on strengths and empowering others. Define roles, responsibilities and decision pathways clearly, ensuring accountability is visible and consistent.
  • Focus on progress and continuous improvement: Prioritise finding practical solutions. Reflect, learn and adapt quickly to changing circumstances, continuously improving processes to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication.
  • Stay aligned to purpose and impact: Keep connected to DEED’s bigger picture, enabling Western Australia’s long-term prosperity. Align actions to strategy, work across government and deliver innovative solutions that create enduring value for the community.

About the Role

Tenure: Permanent, Full Time

PoweringWA is driving Western Australia’s energy transition, leading efforts to decarbonise our energy systems while powering the State’s future growth. By working with industry, government and communities, we are accelerating new transmission, generation and storage projects and ensuring the benefits of the transition are shared across the State.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader with a strong track record of delivering complex projects in a government, regulatory or similarly complex environment. You will have demonstrated experience in project or program management and will bring well-developed analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess policy and regulatory frameworks, identify emerging challenges and opportunities, and develop practical, evidence-based advice to support government objectives and long-term sector outcomes.

The successful applicant will have demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture, and building capability through coaching, mentoring and professional development. You will be comfortable managing multiple priorities and complex projects, proactively managing risks and delivering high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes.

A key requirement of the role is the ability to build and maintain productive relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including government agencies, industry representatives and community groups. You will be a skilled communicator and influencer, capable of navigating complex issues, progressing negotiations and building consensus. An understanding of utility regulation, market frameworks or broader infrastructure policy environments will be highly regarded.

Further information about the role and the expected leadership behaviours can be found in the attached Job Description Form. Assessment of leadership behaviours may be included in the recruitment process.

How to apply

To apply, click ‘Apply for Job’ at top or bottom of this page and follow the prompts. Please submit the following:

  • A covering letter (two pages maximum) demonstrating your skills and experience in relation to the specific requirements outlined in the Job Description Form.
  • A current CV detailing your skills, work history and key achievements. Please include contact details of two referees – ideally including your current or most recent line manager.

Your application must be submitted online. To avoid any last-minute system issues, we recommend submitting your application well ahead of the closing time.

DEED may conduct further search activities or extend the closing date, if required to supplement the field of applicants. 

Interested in more information?

For information regarding these positions, you are encouraged to contact Kathryn Barrie via email – Kathryn.Barrie@deed.wa.gov.au.

To learn more about what we do and how to prepare your application, please refer to the Applicant Information Pack.

Supporting diversity and inclusion

As an equal opportunity employer, the department is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Preference may be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people of diverse sexualities, and young people.

If you have any communication or access needs and require adjustments to take part in the application process, please contact our Talent Team at talent@deed.wa.gov.au. We are committed to providing a fair and supportive recruitment experience for everyone.

Additional job information

Applications must be submitted prior to the closing date and time specified in the job advertisement. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Applicants deemed suitable may be considered for appointment to similar roles within the department for up to 12 months following the completion of this recruitment process.

Successful candidates will be required to obtain a National Police Clearance before commencing employment. Some positions may also require an Australian Government Security Clearance.

Closing Date: Your online application must be submitted online prior to the closing date and time - 3:00 PM on Monday 17 August 2025 (AWST).

Clicking Apply Now will start your application in a separate window.