Are you a relationship‑focused leader who thrives in regional and remote environments?
Interested in an opportunity to support positive cultural heritage outcomes in regional WA?
We are seeking to appoint a Regional Director to provide strategic leadership in positions located in the Kimberley, Pilbara and the South West.
The Regional Director role suits individuals with strong experience engaging across a diverse range of stakeholders and who genuinely enjoy connecting with people throughout regional and remote Western Australia. You will build respectful, trust‑based relationships with Traditional Owners, local communities, government agencies and industry. Leading a geographically dispersed team, you will foster collaboration, cultural understanding and excellence in heritage outcomes including facilitating negotiated solutions amongst stakeholders.
Success in this role is grounded in strong people leadership, effective communication, and a passion for working in some of Western Australia’s unique and most rewarding locations.
There are three permanent, full-time positions available. Please indicate in your application which position you wish to apply for. The base regional location of each position will be negotiated with the recommended applicant. This process may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed-term positions that may arise within the Department and across the WA public sector in the next 12 months from the initial date of appointment.
To be successful for this position, you need to demonstrate:
- Extensive experience leading and managing teams in a multidisciplinary environment, managing multiple functions and responsibilities.
- Significant knowledge of current and emerging trends in Aboriginal heritage and related environments.
- Ability to collaboratively and strategically develop and promote an overall vision for the Heritage Services directorate in line with stakeholder and broader community values and government priorities.
- Extensive experience or qualification in a relevant field including (but not limited to) Aboriginal heritage, heritage conservation and management, environmental science, project management or public policy.
- Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context as outlined below.
Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to this role and should be demonstrated in the context of Leading Others. The Leading Others context is about motivating and enabling others to deliver high quality work that contributes to the agency. The expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process.
In our pursuit of diversity at senior levels, the Department encourages applications from women, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities.
As a senior member of the organisation, you will champion the Department’s values, fostering integrity, respect, collaboration, professionalism and innovation within an environment of transparency and accountability. We expect all successful candidates to be capable of operating in line with these beliefs and within the Public Sector's Code of Ethics.
About us
For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is an attractive proposition, please read the Applicant Information Pack.
Benefits of Working at DPLH
DPLH offers a broad range of benefits including but not limited to:
- Access to flexible working arrangements including working from home or alternate work locations for enhanced work life balance.
- 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options
- Comprehensive learning and professional development opportunities.
- 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December
- 3 days additional public sector holidays each year
- Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
- Leave for study, bereavement, foster caring and parenting
- Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services.
In addition to the comprehensive benefits outlined above, employees living in regional locations may also be entitled to additional allowances and entitlements including:
- Regional housing and electricity subsidies
- District allowances
- Additional Annual Leave (1 Week)
- One travel concession per year
- Travelling time for Personal Leave
- Travelling time for Annual Leave to Perth
- Removal and relocation allowances
How to apply: All applications are submitted online. Select ‘Apply for Job’, located at either top or bottom of the screen, and follow the instructions; you will need to provide a:
- Comprehensive CV that highlights relevant experience and achievements, including the details of two referees.
- A cover letter of no more than two pages that demonstrates how your skills and experience aligns to the position.
- Please specify the region you are applying for in your cover letter.
Further Information:
If you would like to know more, please give Ben Harvey, Executive Director - Heritage Services, a call on 0419 195 484 or email ben.harvey@dplh.wa.gov.au to discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Ben or seek assistance from him with lodging your application.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – For a confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please reach out to Jake Louthean or Barb Culbong from our Aboriginal Employment and Engagement team. You can contact Jake at 0428429486 or Barb at 0408 895 002 or alternatively email us at aboriginalemployment@dplh.wa.gov.au.
The Department is an equal opportunity employer and as a measure to achieve equality under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people (24 years of age and under) and people with disability who meet the requirements of the position, may be prioritised for appointment.
Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our HR Services 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 SMS relay – 0423 677 767
Special Requirements for this position:
The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for applicants successful to this recruitment process.
To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract.
Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted.
If you experience technical issues when submitting your application, contact ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com, or please call (08) 6551 9419 for any other queries.
Closing Date – Tuesday, 23 June 2026 @ 4:00pm
