About the Department of Communities (Communities)

Communities provides person-centred, place-based support to the most vulnerable members of our Western Australian community.

We work towards this goal through a range of functions and service delivery responsibilities, all of which are more impactful and effective when we work in partnership with families, communities, community sector services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).

At Communities, we are privileged to provide services and partner with others to keep children safe; provide vital community services, including in emergencies; address homelessness; prevent family and domestic violence; provide stewardship for the disability sector; regulate the early childhood and care sector; and manage the agenda for Women’s interests, youth, seniors and ageing, carers, and volunteering.

We are on a continuous journey to improve the way we work with our communities and partners across Western Australia. Everything we do is about creating ‘better lives together through people, place and home’ and working together to provide responsive services that build safe, inclusive and empowered communities.

We promote a diverse workforce and embrace a high standard of equal opportunity, health and safety, and ethical practice.

Join us and work in a role where you can make a real difference to the lives of children, families, individuals and communities throughout Western Australia.

We are passionate and caring people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to making a difference. If you’re looking for more than just a job, come and join us at Communities.

The Role

Regional Executive Directors are responsible for developing and connecting leadership capability in and across the state to deliver the Department’s outcomes and meet statutory requirements.  The Department of Communities is seeking to appoint one Regional Executive Director, which will have responsibility for the Pilbara region.

As the Regional Executive Director for Pilbara, you will be responsible for the regional leadership and management of Child Protection, Homelessness, Disability and Community Services portfolios and will drive whole of system performance within the Pilbara region.

The role will support the Communities Leadership Team through the Deputy Director Generals to design, lead and implement complex service delivery within the Pilbara region, with a particular emphasis on the integration and transformation of services to deliver improved outcomes for those in need.

The emphasis will be on regional stakeholder leadership, especially through the District Leadership Group and engagement to support the development, design and delivery of services for vulnerable and disempowered members of the community in a way that meets their individual needs are locally coordinated and delivered in a timely way. The goal is to improve the life chances of individuals and families to build strong, safe and accessible communities, through place-based support tailored to individual, family or community need.

The delivery and management of these services will directly involve complex problem solving for multiple community-based issues and management of risk at a regional, remote and corporate level.

The Opportunity

This full time, fixed term Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment is for a period of up to 5 years and will be located in the Pilbara region.

In return for your skills, passion, and commitment we will offer you a challenging job, a safe and healthy working environment, and a range of benefits (subject to eligibility) including:

• Flexible working arrangements
• District Allowance
• Access to motor vehicle benefits
• Additional 3 Days Public Service Leave per annum
• 3 months long service leave for every seven years consecutive service
• 18 weeks paid parental leave
• 10 days Disability Leave
• 5 days Reproductive Health Leave
• Discount on private health insurance
• Comprehensive learning and development opportunities that focus on your career aspirations
• Access to free and confidential Employee Assistance Programs for you and your family
• 5 days cultural and ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
• Working for a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program.

Our iCREATE values are at the heart of everything we do and define how we treat each other and how we work together. We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success in the future.

The successful applicant or applicants assessed as suitable through this process may receive further offers of contract employment that arise within the next 12 months across the Department of Communities.

What are we looking for?

The successful candidate will have significant experience in the design, leadership and implementation of complex service delivery reforms.  To succeed in this context the person will have excellent capabilities to deliver outcomes at a regional level across Communities Child Protection, Homelessness, Disability and Community Services portfolios, and support the delivery of whole of government priorities across the region.

The role requires extensive engagement with Aboriginal Communities, Aboriginal Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other key Aboriginal stakeholders, and you must have impeccable communication skills and strong ability to liaise with stakeholders.

We are looking for a locally based Regional Executive Director, and the successful candidate will either already be based in the Pilbara or be willing to relocate to the region.

All our people are Leaders

We believe all our people are leaders irrespective of their role. We consider this as critical to our success and, to support this, we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the expected behaviours and mindsets of our employees as outlined in Building Leadership Impact. The leadership context of this position is Multiple Area Leader.

Leadership in this context is about leading teams to achieve the strategic direction of a number of different business areas and to implement the associated operational strategies.

Want to join us?

Apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above or below) and provide the following documents in Word or PDF format only:

1. A current resume/CV.
2. A three page summary outlining the key responsibilities and achievements you have had during your career in the context of the job description and Work Related Requirements (Selection Criteria).
3. A copy of all qualification/s (regardless of the relevance to the role) as specified in your application or resume/CV (if applicable).
4. An application form (for hard copy applications only).

For technical difficulties while applying online, general recruitment enquiries, or to request any document in an alternative format, please contact the SES Employment Team at SES.HR@communities.wa.gov.au.

Please contact the Deputy Director General Child Protection and Family Support, Melanie Samuels on 0428 922 085 for further information about the position (not to be contacted for Applicant Information Packs or assistance with lodging your application). For all other enquiries regarding the role please contact Kathy Peacock from Price Consulting on 0410 147 446.

We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the following numbers:

TTY/voice calls - 133 677

Speak & Listen - 1300 555 727

SMS relay - 0423 677 767

Integrity and Honesty

The public sector is built on a strong foundation of integrity where employees act ethically, and public sector bodies promote and maintain integrity. 

In line with Communities policies, applicants may be asked for consent to undergo criminal record screening and integrity checks during the application process. For more information on these requirements, click here.  

Equity and Diversity

The Department of Communities embraces diversity and firmly believes that the best services come from a workplace, where varied viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged every day. We are committed to creating an equitable and diverse workforce, where we encourage applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, and youth.

If you have any access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, or alternative methods of communication, please contact SES Employment Team at SES.HR@communities.wa.gov.au. Applicants who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Lodgement is system generated. Any emailed applications or late submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted.