Executive Search

Appointing Two Deputy Secretary Roles for a Victorian Public Sector Department

Date Posted:1 May 2026

Delivering an Executive Search to Strengthen Senior Leadership Capability in a Victorian Public Sector Organisation

The Brief

Future Leadership™ was engaged by a large Victorian public sector department to appoint two critical executive leadership roles: Deputy Secretary, Forest, Fire and Regions, and Deputy Secretary, Corporate Services.

The appointments were required to strengthen strategic leadership across complex, high-impact portfolios with significant fiscal, operational and community accountability. The organisation was operating in a demanding environment, including heightened public scrutiny, regional workforce complexity, large-scale service delivery and the ongoing impact of major emergency events.
Both roles required leaders capable of providing clear strategic direction, inspiring large and diverse workforces, and delivering integrated outcomes across government.
9.19.1

Candidate Net Promoter Score

Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.

10,000+10,000+

Candidates supported every year

We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.

50.5%50.5%

Senior Women Appointed since 2002

Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.

98%98%

Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002

Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!

Future Leadership™ undertook a comprehensive national executive search process tailored to the complexity and sensitivity of the roles.
Key steps included:
Briefing and Strategy Development
Engaged with the Secretary and senior stakeholders to clarify leadership expectations, portfolio challenges and success measures for each role.
Targeted Candidate Search
Conducted a national search across public sector agencies and authorities, supplemented by private sector candidates with prior government experience and deep sector knowledge.
Advertising Campaign
Supported the search with a targeted online advertising campaign to maximise market reach and diversity of candidate backgrounds.
Candidate Assessment
Developed detailed longlist reports for each role, presenting a diverse field of highly qualified candidates. Three candidates for each role progressed to selection panel interviews.
Final Evaluation
Provided assessment insights to support panel deliberations and final appointment decisions.

Future Leadership Capability Framework

01.

Strategy and Purpose

Leads transformational processes, motivates teams, and influences commitment to a shared purpose that individuals and the workforce will require to enable sustained organisational success. Builds and promotes a culture underpinning the vision, purpose and values the organisation aspires to achieve.

02.

Governance and Compliance

Engages stakeholders inclusively with sensitivity and regard for diversity and facilitates a psychologically safe environment for social or cultural differences affecting behaviour.

03.

Organisational Capability

Experience leading large, multidisciplinary workforces and driving cultural alignment, performance and continuous improvement.

04.

Commercial Acumen

Provides a deep understanding of relevant industry, marketplace and business drivers as applicable to the organisation. Leverages the application of commercial tools and frameworks to manage opportunities, conflicts and trade offs. Able to focus on customer service requirements and acts proactively to raise the customer experience.

The Outcome

The process resulted in the successful appointment of two highly experienced Deputy Secretaries.

The Deputy Secretary, Forest, Fire and Regions brought extensive experience in strategic leadership across policy, regional service delivery, community engagement, and large-scale change and reform.
The Deputy Secretary, Corporate Services offered over three decades of values-based leadership across state and local government, including senior executive and chief executive roles, with deep expertise across finance, ICT, people and culture, legal, and corporate governance.
These appointments strengthened executive capability across critical portfolios, supporting organisational integration, improved service delivery, and long-term leadership stability.

Consultant

David Baber

Senior Partner, Executive Search View Profile
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