Deputy Director-General Justice Policy and Reform
Department of Justice
Shape Queensland’s justice future – lead system-wide reform, drive outcomes for communities, victims and First Nations peoples, and deliver bold policy change.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) delivers integrated criminal, civil and community justice services to enable a fair, safe and inclusive society for Queenslanders.
The department’s priorities include creating safer communities, delivering justice to victims of crime in a timely manner, reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the justice system, advancing victims’ rights, and minimising gambling harm. DoJ also partners with business and community to remove unnecessary regulation and ensure a fair operating environment.
The department is committed to building and supporting a highly engaged, healthy and effective workforce. Its values and leadership behaviours are embedded through the Leadership Competencies for Queensland framework, ensuring high standards of accountability, innovation and service delivery. Alongside other divisions, including Justice Policy and Reform, the department plays a central role in shaping public policy and enabling reforms that directly impact all Queenslanders.
The opportunity
Reporting to the Director-General and serving as a key member of the Board of Management, the Deputy Director-General, Justice Policy and Reform provides transformative leadership to deliver Queensland’s most ambitious justice reforms in a generation.
This role drives major reform agendas across legislation, criminal and civil law areas, integrity, regulation with regard to protecting community safety, and victims’ rights, and provides trusted strategic advice to the Attorney-General. It leads reforms across multiple government agencies – redesigning outdated systems, cutting inefficiencies, and delivering an integrated, end-to-end justice system.
The Deputy Director-General will oversee national and international trends in justice administration, legislation, public policy and public safety, ensuring Queensland remains at the forefront of bold, contemporary and innovative reform. They will build strong relationships with central agencies, statutory bodies and government partners, ensuring the collaborative delivery of government priorities.
With responsibility for approximately 200 employees across Strategic Policy and Legislation, the Justice Reform Office, the First Nations Justice Office, Regulatory Policy, Secretariat Support, Special Projects and Statutory Reviews, the Deputy Director-General will inspire a capable and engaged workforce and strengthen a “one agency” culture that champions achievement, innovation and collective leadership.
About you
You are a proven leader with experience delivering major social or justice policy reforms in large and complex organisations. You combine strategic acumen with the ability to cut through complexity and deliver outcomes at pace.
You may come from justice, regulatory, social policy or related fields – what matters most is your ability to deliver outcomes, influence at the highest levels, and credibly advise the Attorney-General on complex reform agendas.
You bring resilience and the capacity to inspire change in resistant environments, combined with cultural capability in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities. You are adept at navigating complex stakeholder environments and at building strong relationships with central agencies, statutory bodies and national partners.
Above all, you are an inspiring leader who motivates teams to embrace ambitious reform, foster collaboration across silos, and deliver lasting impact for Queenslanders.
What’s on Offer
- Senior Executive Service (SES4 High) contract up to five years
- Total fixed remuneration of $353,824 - $386,465
We know that embedding diverse perspectives enriches our work, helping us to meet the needs of all Queenslanders.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, and people of all ages.
We encourage you to share how your unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions would support our inclusive and respectful workplace.
Remember to let us know if we can help you participate in the recruitment process. Our selection decisions are not influenced by whether an applicant needs assistance or a subsequent workplace adjustment.
Resources for candidates
How to apply
For a confidential discussion or role related questions, please contact Sarah Curran or Adam Dent of The Orchard Talent Group at ddgjustice@orchardtalent.com.au.
To apply, please submit a current CV and a brief cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining your motivation and the skills that would be brought to the Department of Justice via the link. Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
Applications close on 28 September 2025 at 11:55pm