Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers

is now recruiting for

Deputy Director-General, Water Infrastructure, Policy and Partnerships

Apply Now

Applications close midnight, Tuesday 17th February 2026

Overview

About the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers

The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers is at the forefront of driving sustainable growth across Queensland.

Their purpose is to deliver innovative strategies and responsive services that enable an empowered local government sector, water infrastructure and resource management which drives economic growth and a reinvigorated volunteering sector.

With over 800 dedicated professionals in more than 30 offices across the state, they work tirelessly to ensure that Queensland's communities, businesses, and water resources thrive.

Queensland Water Strategy

Queensland has a highly regarded, evidence-based planning and policy framework. This framework guides best practice decision-making in managing water resources—a system that is complex, adaptive and highly technical, with intersecting and competing interests.

We use holistic water planning and effective management of water assets. These tools help us make sure water is made available to consumers and managed sustainably to fulfil state and national obligations for the environment, and urban, rural and remote water needs.

Investments in water infrastructure are guided by a detailed assessment process and must stack up against sustainability criteria. They are often part of a wider stakeholder engagement or co-funding arrangements with the Australian Government and other entities.

The Queensland Government has a strong track record of investing in monitoring, science and modelling programs to use in decisions. This includes a long-term science partnership within government as well as innovating science and modelling tools through the Queensland Water Modelling Network.

To successfully meet the challenges ahead, clear action, collective stewardship and strong relationships will deliver the social, cultural and environmental values we all want to maintain. Read more about our decision making principles.

Read the Queensland Water Strategy

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About the Role

Deputy Director-General, Water, Infrastructure, Policy & Partnerships

Download Position Description

As a member of the Departmental Leadership Team, you will contribute to whole-of-department perspectives on key strategic issues and work collaboratively to support and implement DLGWV’s strategic direction ensuring it is aligned with Government’s objectives and commitments.

This position will report to the Director-General, DLGWV, and will supervise approximately 115 staff including 3 direct reports, driving the values of performance, teamwork, diversity, continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice outcomes.

As Deputy Director-General, Water Infrastructure, Policy and Partnerships, you will lead the division to develop and communicate the Department’s water strategy and deliver on a variety of policy, legislation and economic advice priorities focused on ensuring the accessibility and affordability of water in Queensland, provide Government Bulk Water Supply Entity oversight, lead water infrastructure planning and delivery and support councils with water security matters.

This role in key in forming and maintaining key relationships with stakeholders and in working collaboratively to advance Government priorities. You will also lead DLGWV in supporting a reinvigorated volunteering sector, leading implementation of the Government’s response to increase volunteering rates in Queensland.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

Form and maintain strategic relationships with the State-owned water entities, working together to deliver Government priorities.
Lead a team responsible for ensuring long-term water security for Queensland, including working with stakeholders and across Government to set clear infrastructure priorities and investment strategies.
Succinctly and clearly communicate the Government’s water strategy to Queenslanders.
Work in partnership with local councils to support funding and delivery of critical drinking water projects.
Lead strategic policy development and legislation reform across the Department. This includes a whole of department focus on cabinet material, ensuring consistent and holistic advice to the Minister and Director-General.
Lead change across the division, with an emphasis on ensuring a clear strategic focus and a workforce plan which delivers on responsibilities.
Lead a highly skilled and geographically dispersed workforce located across the State from Cairns to the Gold Coast. Our workforce is diverse in their knowledge and experience and include project managers, scientists, grant management teams, engineers, and other disciplines, supported by a departmental corporate team including human resources, financial and legal specialists.
Ensure effective management and monitoring of the Water Infrastructure, Policy and Partnerships budget in accordance with statutory responsibilities, government priorities and departmental policies and procedures.
Other duties as directed and required.

Role requirements

Travel away from the centre may be required. This may involve travel outside of normal office hours and/or overnight accommodation.
This role is a strategic leadership position, suiting someone with demonstrated ability to think ‘big picture’ and communicate complex matters in a way that all Queenslanders can understand.
This role requires strong stakeholder engagement and leadership skills. You will have demonstrated experience in leading change across a large team. Experience within the water sector is not necessary, with the emphasis being on leadership, strategy and stakeholder engagement.

Competencies

As an executive in the role of Deputy Director-General, Water Infrastructure Policy and Partnerships (SES4L), the executive level Leadership competencies for Queensland are most relevant to this role.

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.

DLGWV is committed to respecting, protecting and promoting human rights in our decision-making and actions. We value the diversity of our workforce and are guided by the Queensland Public Sector Inclusion and Diversity Strategy.

Please refer to our: Equity and Diversity Plan, Cultural capability action plan, disability service plan and multicultural action plan.

We strive to create a respectful and rewarding workplace culture that encourages, recognises and embraces every individual’s contribution within a collaborative environment that allows all employees to thrive. We believe our workforce should represent the community we serve.

For more information or assistance with your application, including options for adjustments, please reach out to us.

Apply Now

Applications close midnight, Tuesday 17th February 2026