Join us in shaping the future of Land, Housing, Culture and the Community in Western Australia
Three NEW Deputy Director General Roles
Salary - $275,853 to $284,964 per annum plus 12% superannuation and a $26,000 vehicle allowance
We are seeking visionary leaders to form our new forward-thinking executive team and help deliver on our 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and priorities. Our mission is clear - to be Western Australia’s (WA) leading authority in planning, land use and heritage management, creating resilient, connected communities and delivering economic, social, and environmental benefits for generations to come.
We have three exceptional opportunities for experienced, values-driven leaders who wish to influence long term strategy and drive meaningful outcomes. The newly created Deputy Director General (DDG) roles will work collaboratively with stakeholders and the community to create great places and provide high level executive leadership and management to support the Director General in shaping communities across the State.
These roles will champion meaningful reconciliation, prioritise sustainable and responsible planning and land and heritage management and encourage economic diversification. If you thrive in a dynamic environment - where your leadership can make a lasting impact on the WA economy, environment, and communities - this is your opportunity.
The focus of each role is as follows:
Planning: Drives the strategic direction for innovative and contemporary land use planning, policy and programs across WA, particularly focussing on developing and implementing mechanisms that accelerate land and housing supply.
Lands and Heritage: Sets and delivers the strategic direction for land and heritage management, policy and programs across WA, including the vast asset holdings of the Crown and the Western Australian Planning Commission.
Major Projects, Business and Regional Services: Leads the strategic direction for the facilitation of major projects, the delivery of thriving precincts – including those around major transport infrastructure such as METRONET stations – and the coordination of regional services, business services, policy and programs.
We are seeking executive level leaders who have the ability to deliver complex, integrated outcomes across diverse portfolios and lead multidisciplinary teams overseeing significant programs, projects and budgets. Ideal candidates will be strategic thinkers who align with the Department’s core values of Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, Innovation, Professionalism and Accountability and are able to inspire teams to achieve excellence and deliver transformative solutions for the State. Strategic capability and strong interpersonal skills including negotiation, stakeholder engagement and partnership building are key to success in these roles.
An attractive remuneration package will apply to these roles which includes the base salary, 12% superannuation and a motor vehicle allowance. These positions will be filled through a Senior Executive Service fixed term contract for up to 5 years. This process may also be used to fill future similar fixed-term positions that may arise within the Department and across the WA public sector within 12 months of the initial date of appointment.
Our Perth office is centrally located in the CBD, above the Perth Underground rail station and close to major transport links. We also have a number of offices located in the regions.
To be successful for these positions, you need to demonstrate:
The core leadership behaviours outlined in Public Sector Commission’s Leadership Expectations framework. For these positions the context of Executive Leader relates, which is about shaping complex initiatives covering multiple business areas as well as having a key responsibility in corporate governance.
In addition, you will bring role-specific expertise to the individual roles as outlined below:
Planning
- Extensive strategic and statutory land planning experience across multiple sectors.
- Strong understanding and experience in applying urban and regional planning principles and governance frameworks that will facilitate timely land release.
Lands and Heritage
- Demonstrated knowledge of land administration principles and practices.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage legislation and regulations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Heritage Act 2018.
Major Projects, Business and Regional Services
- A significant record of achievement, setting strategic direction, delivering projects and high-level reform and/ or service delivery outcomes.
In our pursuit of diversity at senior levels, the Department encourages applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with disabilities.
As a senior member of the organisation, it is expected that you will champion the Department’s values within an environment of transparency and accountability and operate within the Public Sector's Code of Ethics.
How to apply: All applications are to be submitted online. You will need to select ‘Apply for Job’, located at either the top or bottom of the screen, and follow the relevant instructions. Applicants are required to:
- State in your application the role/s you are applying for. This may be for an individual role, multiple roles or all three roles.
- Provide a comprehensive CV that clearly articulates the role/s you are applying for and demonstrates your skills, experience, and key achievements in the context of the role/s, including providing the details of two referees who can validate your claims for the role/s.
- Provide a maximum two (2) page covering letter demonstrating the essential requirements to perform the role/s as described above and as stated in the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for each role.
For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the DPLH is an attractive proposition, please read the Applicant Information Pack.
An executive search may be undertaken to fill this vacancy.
Further Information:
If you would like to know more about the roles, please contact Ali Osinski, Director, Office of the Director General by email at ali.osinski@dplh.wa.gov.au to arrange an appointment for the Director General to call you to discuss the role/s in further detail. Please do not send your application to this email or to seek assistance with lodging your application.
If Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants require support in submitting an application, this should be raised with the Director General.
Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.
We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the below numbers:
TTY/voice calls – 133 677
Speak and Listen – 1300 555 727 and SMS relay – 0423 677 767.
Special Requirements for this position:
The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and require declarations of Conflicts-of-Interest and Outside Interests to be completed by all applicants who are successful in this recruitment process.
Applications can be submitted prior to 4.00pm AWST on Monday 16 February 2026.
