Department of Housing and Public Works
is now recruiting for
Executive Director, First Nations Capital
Applications close midnight, Wednesday 26th November 2025
A brighter future for Queensland
As a valued employee in the Department of Housing and Public Works, you will play a vital role in delivering a range of services that make a real difference to the lives of Queenslanders. This includes supporting the Queensland Government’s vision for a fair and sustainable housing system and supporting Queensland’s construction sector in building government infrastructure projects in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, and empowering young Queenslanders for a bright future.
You will join an organisation that is focussed on reframing the department’s relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations through delivering real change and real outcomes through a genuine partnership approach, Closing the Gap and building our cultural capability.
We are committed to an organisational culture that promotes human rights where people feel safe, respected, valued and engaged. We encourage applicants from all gender identities, ethnicities, ages, languages, sexual orientations and people with disability to progress our diversity commitments that aim to ensure our workforce reflects the views, experiences and backgrounds of the people of Queensland.
Learn more about who we are, what we do and the opportunities we offer by visiting our website www.housing.qld.gov.au.
Our vision and values
Our vision
A brighter future for Queenslanders through housing, building and service innovation.
Our purpose
Deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders
Create a more prosperous Queensland through government procurement, youth engagement and a thriving night-life economy
Strengthen the construction sector
Our Values
Organisational Structure
About the Role
Executive Director, First Nations Capital
What you can expect in this role
The Executive Director, First Nations Capital, will play a pivotal role in driving strategic capital investment and coordinating major portfolio initiatives to increase the supply of social housing across Queensland. This role is focused on delivering measurable outcomes, including fit-for-purpose housing solutions that meet State targets and address the unique needs of First Nations peoples and their communities, with a particular emphasis on remote and discrete communities.
Key responsibilities include leading the development and delivery of culturally appropriate, sustainable, and innovative housing projects that contribute to safe, secure, and affordable housing for all Queenslanders. The role will work closely with government agencies at all levels of government, community housing providers, and peak bodies to implement innovative financing, procurement, and capital programs that maximise impact and efficiency.
As a strategic leader, the Executive Director will ensure projects align with departmental priorities, comply with contractual obligations, and support sector development. The role will also oversee the implementation of key initiatives under the First Nations Housing and Homelessness Action Plan and Securing our Foundations Blueprint contributing to the broader goal of reducing homelessness and improving housing stability across the State.
We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated expertise in delivering large-scale housing initiatives, a deep understanding of First Nations communities and cultural considerations, and the ability to foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders. Your knowledge, skills, and leadership potential will be assessed alongside your commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the Queensland community.
What you will be doing:
Lead the delivery of social housing initiatives that increase supply in First Nations remote and discrete communities, achieving State targets and delivering fit-for-purpose housing that meets the needs of diverse communities, including First Nations peoples.
Provide strategic leadership and oversight of First Nations social housing capital investment programs, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities and the delivery of culturally appropriate and sustainable solutions.
Drive the implementation of tailored social and affordable housing solutions for First Nations communities by leveraging existing funds and maximising alternative financing, ensuring outcomes are responsive to the needs of First Nations people.
Collaborate with key stakeholders, local government authorities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island regions and communities, including community housing providers, government agencies, industry, and cultural leaders, to ensure integrated capital investment programs align with regional and community priorities and deliver sustainable housing outcomes for First Nations people.
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with stakeholders, including peak bodies and cultural organisations, to foster innovative procurement, financing, and capital delivery approaches that support housing growth across Queensland for First Nations people.
Deliver high-level advice and strategic coordination for major infrastructure and service delivery projects to ensure successful outcomes, with a focus on addressing the needs of First Nations people.
Oversee contractual compliance and sector development by supporting indigenous community housing organisations in delivering capital-funded projects, including robust asset management planning, reinvestment strategies, and culturally appropriate service delivery.
One of the referees must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who can attest to the applicant’s knowledge, skills and experience as they relate to cultural capabilities.
What we are looking for
We are looking to find the person best suited for the role and will be considering your knowledge, skills, experience, potential for development and future contribution to the department as well as your personal qualities and how they contribute to our department’s equity and diversity objectives which aim to build a workforce that reflects the Queensland community.
It is recognised that everyone is a leader regardless of classification level. Refer to the Executive stream of the Leadership competencies for Queensland framework to understand the expectations for this role.
As a leader in the Queensland Government, you will display outstanding judgement, high-level integrity, strong agility to adapt to a constantly changing environment, a strong achievement orientation and excellent communication and negotiating skills.
You will have:
extensive expertise and experience in working with First Nations community leaders, local councils’ government agencies and stakeholders to enhance outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.
a record of success as a leader in a large and complex organisation with an outstanding leadership ability.
extensive experience in the leading development, implementation and ongoing evaluation and review of programs and priorities to support the Government's strategic policy direction.
strong background in navigating and managing highly complex stakeholder engagement and relationships, strategy and policy implementation, and service delivery of emergency accommodation, support services and programs.
You will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate the following 12 leadership competencies considered critical in the performance of executive roles in the Queensland public service, focusing on three areas:
Vision
Integrates government and organisational priorities and values, and the voice of the community to develop and articulate a compelling vision that provides clear direction for the sector’s future.
Adopts a sector leadership role, working collaboratively with partners to translate strategy into meaningful action.
Scans the environment, draws on information and alternative viewpoints, asks questions and monitors information channels to understand emerging issues that are important to the sector, organisation, and community.
Build and mobilises cross-sector collaborations to prototype and test innovative solutions.
Results
Considers the future skills, capabilities and diverse needs of the community and workforce to set the direction for talent management to deliver government objective.
Reads contentious and sensitive situations and responds appropriately to manage relationships.
Actively encourages and supports the inclusion of diverse viewpoints of colleagues, community and partners in policy and strategy development.
Strengthens organisational capacity of mobilising teams of diverse discipline, background, and perspective.
Accountability
Fosters a workplace culture where all individuals share a personal responsibility for promoting the physical and psychological health and safety of others.
Optimises the work environment, work design and culture to enable a positive and healthy workplace.
Role models impartiality and inspires a culture that respects and appreciates policy frameworks and governance.
Fosters cross-sector collaborations to assess risk and develop contingencies and options to protect the sustainable delivery of services.
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 position description.
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.
If you need assistance with your application please reach out to us.
Applications close midnight, Wednesday 26th November 2025
Have a question?
Reach out to our friendly team.
Confidential Enquiries
KERRY LARKIN
Senior Associate
