Job opportunity

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: SES Contract for a period of up to five (5) years.

The position provides executive leadership responsible and operates within a policy environment characterised by increasing global competition for investment, technological capability and advanced manufacturing. Governments internationally are placing greater emphasis on strengthening innovation ecosystems, supporting emerging industries and ensuring that public sector institutions possess the capability required to respond to rapidly evolving economic and technological conditions.

Within this environment, the Deputy Director General performs a senior executive leadership function within DEED, providing strategic leadership across policy frameworks, industry capability initiatives and investment programs associated with the Government’s economic diversification priorities.

This includes oversight of initiatives supporting emerging industries, collaboration between government, research institutions and industry, and governance of financial assistance programs supporting innovation, industry capability development and economic diversification.

In addition to its external industry development responsibilities, the position also provides executive leadership across several internal corporate capability functions within the Department. These functions support organisational governance, financial management, workforce capability and administrative systems required to support the Department’s broader policy and program responsibilities.

The Deputy Director General therefore operates across two interconnected domains:

• Industry capability and innovation policy, program governance and related stakeholder engagement.
• Departmental corporate capability functions supporting complex policy and program responsibilities associated with economic diversification and industry development.

In this role, you will be part of a senior executive team shaping Western Australia’s economic future. You will provide high-level strategic advice across industry development, manufacturing, science and innovation, and lead the design and delivery of impactful policies and initiatives. These efforts will drive economic diversification, create jobs, and strengthen local industry capability through effective collaboration with government, industry and academia.

You will also represent the Government at the highest levels, fostering strategic partnerships, securing investment, and ensuring strong governance, performance and resource management across the division.

We are seeking an exceptional leader with a proven track record of delivering results through collaboration and effective leadership. As one of the Deputy Directors General reporting to the Director General, you will also play a broader executive leadership role across the Department, contributing to cohesive strategy, high-quality policy advice, and successful delivery of outcomes.

Your expertise and leadership will help shape organisational culture and drive outcomes that support the Department’s long-term vision.

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 page maximum) informed by the role specific responsibilities, demonstrating your skills and experience to meet the job requirements outlined in the Job Description Form. The letter should include an understanding and relevant experience aligned to the Public Sector Commission’s Building Leadership Impact and Leadership Expectations.
• A CV that outlines your skills, experience, and key achievements, including the details of two referees, with a current line manager preferred.

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 this position, you are encouraged to contact Therese Stralow, Managing Director Price Consulting via email on therese@priceconsulting.com.au or 0472 827 847.

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 Friday 26 June 2026 AWST.