Deputy Director-General, Science & Innovation

Apply Now

Applications for this role close midnight Thursday 8 October 2026

About the Role

Apply

Useful Links

Contact Our Team

Overview

Our department recognises the enormous value a clean environment, innovative society and visitor economy, and vibrant culture contributes to our lives.

As a diverse organisation, the department brings together key areas of work to achieve our objectives for a better Queensland.

By being effective leaders and partners in managing, protecting and restoring Queensland’s natural environment and heritage, we help ensure the health and prosperity of current and future generations.

A summary of the department’s objectives and key strategies to achieve these outcomes is outlined in the department’s strategic plan.

Organisational Chart

Role Purpose

Deputy Director-General, Science & Innovation

Download Position Description

The Queensland government has committed to fostering opportunities for economic growth in Queensland through advancement and increased productivity in science and innovation. This role will be responsible for delivery of Queensland’s Science and Innovation strategy to deliver key government commitments and outcomes for Queensland.

The Science and Innovation division provides leading-edge science, data, information, and advice and drives and fosters key stakeholder relationships to identify, grow and commercialise innovative ideas.

The Division delivers modelling, monitoring, data analysis and projections for the Great Barrier Reef, water and catchment management, koala habitats, vegetation management, natural disasters, environmental assessment and compliance, and land stewardship.

The division also invests in industry and sector partnerships and initiatives, university research, capability and infrastructure, fostering the ecosystem and delivering strategies that accelerate the translation of ideas into productivity, new industries and drive economic growth outcomes for Queensland

As Deputy Director-General, your role is to strengthen government, industry and community outcomes through science and innovation leadership and scientific delivery. You will lead and oversee the provision of trusted science across Government, and actions from key legislation and strategies that contributes positively to the wellbeing of Queenslanders, the environment and the Queensland economy.

The division consists of distinct operational branches – Innovation Strategy and Partnerships, Innovation Operations, Office of the Chief Innovator, Science Development and the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist; Water and Catchments; and Coastal, Biodiversity and Information.

You will oversee an annual budget of $196 million.

The Role

As the Deputy Director-General, Science and Innovation, you will:

Provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight of the department’s science and innovation portfolio to deliver government priorities, enable the department to meet its strategic objectives and provide excellence in client service delivery and stakeholder engagement.
Provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight of scientific and technical services and programs across Queensland, including overseeing the interface with the Queensland Chief Scientist, for the delivery of cross-Government initiatives by leveraging science information and capability.
Provide strategic advice to the Minister, Director-General, the Executive Leadership Team, and other senior leaders about the development and effectiveness of strategies, programs and services to grow Queensland’s science and research sector and innovation partnerships.
Partner with the Chief Scientist, Chief Innovator and as part of Team Queensland to maximise opportunities for Queensland through science and innovation including a focus on commercialisation and co-ordination across the sector.
Engage, partner and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders including government, industry, universities, research and training provides, investors, entrepreneurs, social enterprises and the community to achieve department and whole of government science and innovation outcomes.
Develop and champion strategies to attract, build and retain knowledge, experience, and talent within Queensland science, research and innovation sectors and drive the translation and impact for the benefit of Queensland’s industries and community.
Facilitate research and business linkages (locally, nationally and internationally) that encourage innovation, new collaborations and investment and increase the translation of the state’s research into commercial outcomes that benefit Queensland’s economy, environment and communities.
Lead and coordinate delivery of actions under key legislation and strategies including Biodiscovery Act 2004, Gene Technology (Queensland) Act 2016, Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project Agreement Act 1998.
Act as an informed purchaser and/or independent broker of scientific and technical services for, and with partner departments.
Model the vision, culture and values of DETSI, fostering collaboration, setting clear priorities and performance expectations and creating an environment that attracts and retains the best talent.

What We Are Looking For

We’re looking for the best-suited person for the role. If you are eligible, we will consider your skills, experience, qualifications and personal qualities relevant to the role. We may also consider your past work, your future contribution to our team and department and your commitment and contribution to equity, diversity, respect and inclusion.

What you will need for this role

Role model Executive leadership behaviours as outlined in the Leadership competencies for Queensland.
Be an agile and inspirational leader, with a strong record of achievement in dynamic and complex organisations and systems. 
Demonstrated experience in leading the delivery of science policy and legislative initiatives, service delivery and key programs that deliver impactful, lasting change, supported by fit-for-purpose governance. 
Demonstrate significant experience in leading the delivery of major initiatives and innovative programs, to drive delivery, manage risk and achieve greater impact and value for money. 
Be a compelling communicator and advocate with a proven ability to represent the department persuasively, build and manage complex stakeholder relationships, foster enduring partnerships across diverse groups with a client focus, balance competing priorities, and demonstrate high level consultation, negotiation, coordination and public relations skills to enable collaborative, community-focused outcomes.
Demonstrated experience in establishing and embedding good governance, through consistent high standards of practice and effective mobilisation of the unique talents and capabilities of your team. 
Demonstrated ability to inspire and engage staff and build a diverse, respectful, accountable and innovative workforce. 
Demonstrate how you can support our commitment to workplace safety, equity, diversity, respect and inclusion.
‍ ‍

How to Apply

Everyone is welcome to apply.

We offer priority consideration to applicants with disability or who identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and meet the minimum requirements. Priority consideration applicants will be invited to participate in the next selection activity.

Please let us know what we can do to help you participate in the recruitment process and ensure your needs for cultural safety or workplace adjustments are considered. For more information on how-to-apply, including options for adjustments, visit Working with us.

To apply for this role, please provide us information about:

your skills, experience, qualifications and personal qualities and how they align with the requirements in the What we are looking for section; and
why you are the best-suited person for this role.
You can provide these in a succinct resume (max 5 pages) and short statement (2 pages) or contact us to explore other options.

If your application is progressed, you will need to provide evidence of your Eligibility.

Applications for this role close midnight Thursday 8 October 2026

Apply Now