Director Investigations & Enforcement

A critical senior leadership position within NRAR, the Director Investigations & Enforcement leads NRAR’s state-wide investigations and enforcement function to deliver credible, visible and effective regulatory outcomes that strengthen community confidence in NSW water management. The role sets NRAR’s external enforcement posture, directing high-impact, risk-based compliance and enforcement programs that change industry behaviour and drive sustained improvements in voluntary compliance.

Operating with a prominent level of autonomy and influence, the role oversees highly specialised and geographically dispersed teams; leads major investigations and strategic enforcement responses; and represents NRAR with industry, communities, other regulators, and the courts. It provides authoritative operational and strategic enforcement advice to the Chief Regulatory Officer, NRAR Board and Executive, and plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing regulatory change across the NSW water sector.

Key accountabilities include:

• Lead statewide enforcement and risk-based compliance programs that address priority harms and improve voluntary compliance.
• Direct major investigations and enforcement actions, including litigation and complex regulatory responses, to deliver effective deterrence and credible outcomes.
• Shape regulatory reform and practice, ensuring legislation, policy and enforcement frameworks are practical, contemporary and defensible.
• Build regulatory influence and partnerships across government, industry, Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders to address systemic compliance risks.
• Lead NRAR’s enforcement capability, including its people, governance, systems and contribution to whole-of-agency strategy and regulatory excellence.

• Deep understanding of contemporary regulatory practice, including risk-based regulation, responsive regulation, behavioural insights and the effective use of a graduated toolkit of compliance and enforcement responses.
• Comprehensive knowledge of investigations practice (including evidence-gathering, chain of custody, interview techniques and brief preparation) and of the legislative and policy framework governing NRAR’s powers, or the demonstrated capacity to rapidly acquire this.
• Highly developed strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify systemic non-compliance trends and design targeted enforcement programs in response.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build credibility and trust with industry leaders, community representatives, other regulators, Ministers’ offices and the media.
• Demonstrated ability to lead dispersed, multidisciplinary teams, build specialist capability and foster a culture of safety, integrity, accountability and high performance.

• Tertiary qualifications in law, regulation, investigations, environmental / natural resource management or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in a complex, risk-based regulatory, law enforcement or integrity environment, including responsibility for major investigations and enforcement programs.
• Demonstrated experience in leading high-profile, complex and politically sensitive enforcement matters, including instructing legal representatives and managing matters before courts and tribunals.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing sector-wide compliance and enforcement initiatives that deliver measurable behaviour change and improved compliance outcomes for communities and industry.
• Proven ability to represent an agency effectively in the media, public forums and inter-jurisdictional settings on contentious regulatory issues.

For more information read the full Role Description: Director Investigations & Enforcement NRAR

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. 

Should you require further information about the role please contact Sharon Ryan on Sharon.ryan@nrar.nsw.gov.au.  

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

• How to apply for public service roles and prepare an application.
• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.
• Information and support for veterans transitioning into government careers.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing dcceew.ta@dpie.nsw.gov.au or contacting Eloise Fleck on 02 8275 1709 (please mention reference number 554380).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or our Aboriginal Career pathways team at AEX@dcceew.nsw.gov.au for a yarn. 

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Advertised: 11 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 24 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time

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