Director, Policy and Regulatory Reform in Melbourne

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC – Melbourne VIC. Shape the future of Victoria's earth resources sector through policy leadership and regulatory reform. Resources Victoria is seeking an experienced and influential leader to join the team as Director, Policy and Regulatory Reform.

As Director you will lead the development and implementation of policy and regulatory reforms that support investment, responsible resource development and access to the earth resources essential to Victoria's economic growth. You will provide strategic advice to the Minister and departmental executives, lead complex reform programs and work closely with industry, communities and government partners to shape the future of Victoria's mining, quarrying, petroleum and critical minerals sectors.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead strategic policy and regulatory reform initiatives across Victoria's earth resources sector.
• Provide authoritative advice to the Minister, departmental executives and senior decision-makers on complex and sensitive issues.
• Build productive relationships across government, industry and communities to influence and deliver reform outcomes.
• Engage strategically with industry bodies, local government, regional communities and resource companies to understand emerging issues, opportunities and risks.
• Oversee the preparation of Cabinet submissions, ministerial briefings, parliamentary materials, executive correspondence and strategic reports.
• Lead a high-performing branch and contribute to divisional leadership and decision-making.

About you:

You are a strategic and influential leader with significant experience leading complex policy, regulatory reform or strategic advisory functions within government or another complex and highly regulated environment. With a proven track record delivering major reform initiatives, you provide trusted advice to senior leaders and navigate complex operating environments. You bring strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, sound judgement, commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of governance, risk and public sector decision-making. As an experienced people leader, you foster collaboration, build capability and maintain a strong focus on outcomes.

A tertiary qualification in natural resource management, economics, law, business management, public policy or a related discipline is mandatory.

About the organisation:

We employ approximately 6,300 staff, including around 600 seasonal staff, across more than 86 locations throughout Victoria, across energy, environment, climate action, water, agriculture, and resources portfolios. Our challenge is to maintain Victoria's liveability, with a population expected to almost double by 2050, while responding to climate change and protecting our natural environment, infrastructure and heritage for future generations. We take a community-centred approach and involve communities and key stakeholders in decisions and policies that affect them and we collaborate across our portfolios to design and deliver services and programs.

This is a fixed-term position available for a period of up to 5 years. The work location for this position is 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne with hybrid work arrangements available. Applications close at midnight on Monday, 26 October 2026.

Other relevant information:

• Undertake pre-employment screening, including completion of a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check.
• Provide at least two appropriate referees, including their current direct line manager or where relevant (i.e. because they are not employed) most recent direct line manager in accordance with the requirements set out in executive reference checks.
• Provide evidence of their right to work in Australia.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants must be an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace: DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au. We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing.