Executive Contract Officer 2 - Remuneration Package Range $247,170

Corporate and Enabling Services

Darwin

An Executive contract of up to 4 years may be offered.

Lead a contemporary quality improvement function that strengthens safety, accountability and outcomes for children and families across the NT.

The Department of Children and Families provides support services across child protection, domestic and family violence, multicultural affairs and senior’s recognition. The agency brings together many of the key functions that work together to create stronger communities where children experience safe, healthy and happy childhoods, women and men from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds have equal opportunities, and senior Territorians are appreciated and respected.

As the Executive Director, Quality Assurance and Improvement, your primary objective is to lead the provision of advice and support that will foster a culture of continuous improvement across the agency to uplift performance and achieve better outcomes for clients, staff and the community aligned to the Agency’s strategic objectives and service delivery standards. This will be achieved through drawing on outcomes and recommendations from complaints, investigations, inquests, audits, risk, work, health and safety and legal matters; embedding quality assurance mechanisms across the Agency’s operations and externally procured services; providing a whole-of-agency project management support function.

Why this role matters

Quality assurance at the Department of Children and Families is about learning from previous experiences, understanding why things happen, and building systems that work better for everyone. You will:

• Lead a whole-of-department approach to quality assurance, improvement and learning
• Use insights from complaints, investigations, audits and risk to drive smarter decisions
• Embed improvement across frontline practice, corporate services and funded programs
• Strengthen safety, accountability and performance in complex, high-risk environments
• Influence senior leaders, balancing risk, evidence, political context and community expectations.

What you’ll bring

You’re an executive leader who thrives in complexity and sees quality as a lever for better outcomes. You bring:

• Strong analytical capability and a passion for data, trends and evidence
• The ability to interpret information through a frontline, risk and outcomes lens
• Experience leading improvement in large, complex service systems
• Confidence navigating legal, political and reputational risk
• A collaborative, partnership-focussed mindset
• A commitment to continuous improvement, cultural safety and learning.

Why work with us

The Northern Territory offers a career experience unlike anywhere else in Australia.

At the Department of Children and Families, you’ll work with people who care deeply about better outcomes for community, in a place where:

• Your work has visible impact
• You’ll engage with diverse communities and service contexts
• You’ll be trusted to lead, innovate and improve
• Your career can grow in depth, breadth and purpose.

If you reside outside the Territory, this is a great time to consider relocating. Reward yourself with an enviable lifestyle and a work life balance that allows you time to explore stunning landscapes and waterfalls, enjoy colourful tropical sunsets and spectacular lightning displays, and experience Darwin’s rich multicultural society. Support with relocation expenses may be available if successful.

Explore working in the Territory.

• https://jointheterritory.nt.gov.au/work
• https://jointheterritory.nt.gov.au/work/work-for-nt-government

Learn more about the Department

• https://families.nt.gov.au/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/children-and-families-nt/?viewAsMember=true
• https://families.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/986879/TFHC0001-I08-strategic-plan.pdf

Explore living in Darwin

• https://jointheterritory.nt.gov.au/
• https://jointheterritory.nt.gov.au/move/regional-living-guides/darwin-and-surround
• https://theterritory.com.au/live/why-move-to-the-territory

For further information about this vacancy please contact:

Rachelle McMillan on 08 8999 27***or ***************@nt.gov.au

Quote vacancy number: 46862

Closing date: 19/02/2026

Applications should consist of a one page summary sheet, resume / CV and copies of relevant qualifications.

For a copy of the Job Description or to view career opportunities in the Northern Territory Government please visit https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/Search