Deputy General Counsel, Hospitality & Racing

• Play a key role influencing legal and policy decisions across a dynamic and high-profile division
• Senior Executive Band 1, total remuneration package between $255,878 and $280,824 per annum
• Ongoing role based in Haymarket, Sydney CBD

The Legal function plays a critical role in enabling the Department to deliver on its priorities with strong governance and integrity. It provides strategic legal advice, manages legal and reputational risk, and ensures compliance with legislative and policy requirements, while also delivering core corporate services that support organisational performance.

Working in close partnership with senior leaders and business areas, the function underpins effective decision-making and helps drive high-quality outcomes across the Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport portfolio.

About the role

This is a high-impact executive opportunity to lead the delivery of strategic legal services across the Hospitality and Racing division. You will provide expert, authoritative advice on complex, sensitive and high-risk matters to Ministers and senior executives, supporting key government priorities and outcomes.

As a trusted advisor, you will oversee legal risk management, compliance and governance, while leading a high-performing legal team. The role requires navigating an evolving legislative landscape, influencing senior stakeholders, and ensuring legal advice is commercially astute, timely and aligned to whole-of-government priorities.

You will also play a critical leadership role in strengthening legal frameworks, fostering collaboration across agencies, and driving a culture of integrity, accountability and excellence.

To learn more about the role, please click here to download the full role description.

About you

You are an accomplished senior legal executive with extensive experience operating in complex, highly regulated or public sector environments. You are recognised for your strategic judgement, collaborative leadership style and ability to provide clear advice on matters of significant legal, policy and reputational complexity.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience providing strategic legal advice on complex, high-risk and sensitive matters at an executive level
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across government and external organisations
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and developing high-performing legal teams
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, compliance and regulatory frameworks
• Experience managing significant legal matters, litigation, investigations or regulatory issues
• Sound judgement and the ability to balance legal, policy, operational and reputational considerations in decision-making
• Tertiary qualifications in Law and admission, or eligibility for admission, as a legal practitioner in NSW.

You are an authentic and values-driven leader who demonstrates integrity, resilience and sound judgement. You thrive in complex environments, bring a pragmatic and solutions-focused approach, and are committed to delivering high-quality outcomes in the public interest.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply Now’ to access our application portal and submit your online application. Please include a cover letter and brief resume that details your capabilities and experience in relation to the role.

Closing date : Tuesday 7 July 2026 [10.00AM]

Contact : Dragana Papak, A/Director Talent and People Operations via email dragana.papak@dciths.nsw.gov.au

Working at the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport

At the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport we bring vibrancy to NSW by growing our creative industries and workforces, driving strong visitor and night-time economies, ensuring a responsible hospitality sector, and putting arts, culture and sport at the heart of our communities. Together we:

• create social and economic opportunities for the state
• support the creation of jobs across the creative, visitor and night-time economies
• prioritise First Nations artists, stories and culture
• ensure arts, culture and sport are at the heart of every community to be enjoyed and accessed by all
• drive visitation through events, campaigns and visitor experience development
• activate our night-time and creative economies to unlock unique precincts and community spaces
• deliver a vibrant and responsible hospitality, liquor, racing and gaming environment
• support NSW’s key Cultural Institutions to ensure access for all, enable community experiences and education and preserve the state’s diverse cultural assets and history.

We believe diversity across our department allows us to be a true reflection of NSW citizens. We are a respectful workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you do require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please notify us on your application form.

A talent pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles for this role or similar roles that may become available over the next 18 months.