Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support
is now recruiting for
Deputy Director-General, Operations
Applications for this role close midnight, Wednesday 9th September 2026
Overview
About the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support
The department is committed to keeping Queensland communities safe. Everyone deserves a life free from violence and fear. We are actively tackling the complex causes of youth crime and addressing serious repeat offenders and ensuring our systems and services not only meet but anticipate the needs of victims. We do this by providing:
early intervention, statutory Youth Justice, and detention services to ensure that youth offenders are held accountable.
support to youth to become responsible members of the community through programs and community partnerships, which foster the achievement of positive life outcomes.
trauma-informed support and resources to victims to ensure they can recover and heal, whilst ensuring the voices and experiences of victims are heard and respected.
We employ an inclusive culture that respects and promotes human rights and diversity. We respectfully journey together to aspire to be the most culturally capable youth justice and victim support agency in the nation. We are an inclusive, equal employment opportunity employer and place value on our diverse workforce. We encourage applicants representing all genders, ethnicities, ages, languages, sexual orientations, and people with disability or family responsibilities to apply.
More information about Youth Justice and Victim Support is available from Queensland Government, Department of Youth Justice.
Our vision and purpose
The department is responsible for supporting the Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support. In supporting our minister, the department maintains high-quality services, focusing on implementing the government's objectives for the community and its government commitments.
Vision
A safer community with fewer victims of crime by restoring consequences for action and reducing reoffending through effective and early intervention and empowering youth offenders to turn their lives around.
Purpose
Keep Queenslanders safe by delivering stronger laws and fewer victims of crime, providing meaningful support to victims of crime through victim support services.
About the Role
Deputy Director-General, Operations
As a member of the department's Executive Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership and executive stewardship of a significant statewide service delivery portfolio encompassing youth detention services (three youth detention centres, one youth remand centre and a further youth detention centre to be commissioned in 2027), youth justice regional operations (26 regional offices across Queensland), learning and development, and victim support services, including Victim Assist Queensland. You will drive the delivery of government priorities, lead system-wide improvement and reform, and ensure the provision of safe, effective and outcomes-focused services that improve outcomes for Queensland communities.
A trusted adviser to the Director-General, Minister and Board of Management, you will provide authoritative advice on complex, high-profile and sensitive matters relating to youth justice, youth detention, victim support, operational performance, service delivery, workforce strategy and system reform. You will lead transformational change, foster innovation and continuous improvement, and ensure the effective stewardship of significant public resources, assets and services.
This role requires exceptional judgement, political acuity and stakeholder influence. You will build and sustain strategic partnerships across government, the non-government sector, industry and the community, bringing diverse interests together to achieve shared outcomes and advance government priorities. Through exemplary governance, financial stewardship and workforce leadership, you will promote a high-performing, ethical and accountable culture that delivers measurable impact, public value and enduring community confidence.
Reporting directly to the Director-General, this position is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and is accountable for a large and complex portfolio comprising four direct reports, more than 2,800 staff located across Queensland, an operating budget of approximately $438 million and a capital program of $250 million.
Key responsibilities
As the Deputy Director-General Operations, you will specifically:
Lead a high-performing executive portfolio fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, continuous improvement and co-design to achieve strategic and operational outcomes.
Provide strategic leadership and advice to the Director-General, Minister, Board of Management and Government on youth justice, youth detention and victim support in the delivery of services and government election commitments.
Lead the statewide delivery of youth justice and victim support services, ensuring alignment with government commitments, community expectations and departmental strategic objectives.
Drive whole-of-system reform, innovation and continuous improvement, establishing contemporary policies, service models, governance frameworks and operational strategies that improve outcomes and organsiational performance for youth offenders and victims of crime.
Build and influence strategic partnerships across government, the non-government sector, industry, communities and key stakeholders to strengthen service integration and outcomes
Provide enterprise leadership of a large and complex division, fostering a high-performing, inclusive and accountable culture while ensuring workforce capability, leadership development and organisational resilience.
Lead the management of complex strategic, operational, risk and industrial relations issues, ensuring effective decision-making, organisational responsiveness and the achievement of government priorities.
Ensure exemplary governance, financial stewardship and accountability, including oversight of significant public investment, commissioned services, statutory responsibilities, risk management and performance outcomes.
Champion ethical leadership, cultural capability and public sector values, promoting integrity, co-design, innovation, diversity, staff wellbeing and a strong focus on delivering measurable outcomes for Queensland communities.
Demonstrate cultural capability and/or a commitment to developing cultural capability to ensure an inclusive culture that aligns with the Human Rights Act 2019 and supports departmental programs and community partnerships aimed at preserving cultural connections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. [Mandatory for all Role Profiles]
What we are looking for
We’re interested to learn about your unique journey and the valuable skills, knowledge and experience you bring to the table alongside the personal qualities that set you apart. If you are passionate about contributing to a dynamic human service, social justice environment.
We will assess your suitability for this role by looking at what you’ve done previously – the knowledge, skills and experience you’ve built, your potential for development, and your personal qualities.
Every staff member is expected to role model leadership behaviours. This role requires the leadership capabilities of an executive profile, as outlined below and in the Leadership competencies for Queensland booklet.
Building Queensland’s leaders of tomorrow, today.
Leadership Competencies for Queensland
How to Apply
To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:
A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on:
How you align with the core accountabilities outlined in the role statement
Why you are the best suited person for this role
How you could support our commitment to equity, diversity, respect and inclusion
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.
We value diversity and cultural capability, and the department is an equal opportunity employer which supports a healthy working environment that is free from all forms of harassment, workplace bullying, discrimination, and violence.
All applicants are encouraged to advise the panel of any additional support or reasonable adjustments required throughout the recruitment process; this could include communication needs, building access, interpreter services and so on. In doing so, we can ensure you have the best opportunity to demonstrate your ability to meet the inherent requirements of the role.
For more information or assistance with your application, including options for adjustments, please reach out to us.
Applications for this role close midnight, Wednesday 9th September 2026
Useful Links
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About the Department
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Work for the Department
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Projects & Initiatives
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Living in Brisbane
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Living in Queensland
Confidential Enquiries
KERRY LARKIN
Senior Associate
Have a question?
Reach out to our friendly team.
