Conducting a National Executive Search to Appoint Two Deputy Secretaries to Lead Major Portfolios in a Complex Public Sector Environment
The Brief
Future Leadership was engaged by a large state government department to partner on the appointment of two Deputy Secretaries within a complex and highly visible public sector environment.
Following an initial client briefing with the Department Secretary and other key decision makers, the search requirements were confirmed. Both roles demanded leaders capable of inspiring large, diverse workforces with compelling vision, certainty and strategic clarity. Each portfolio carried significant fiscal, capital and governance responsibility, operating within a context of heightened public scrutiny and community expectation.
One Deputy Secretary role required leadership across a large, regionally distributed workforce, operating in response to significant environmental and emergency-related pressures. The second Deputy Secretary role was accountable for supporting a large, complex organisation with a wide breadth of shared services and played a critical role in progressing organisation‑wide integration and alignment.
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.
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.
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.
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!
The Process
Future Leadership undertook a comprehensive national executive search process tailored to the scale, complexity and risk profile of the roles.
Extensive market mapping was conducted across relevant public sector agencies and statutory authorities, complemented by the identification of candidates from the private sector with prior government experience or deep sector knowledge. The search targeted senior leaders with expertise spanning environmental management, energy, water, planning, emergency services, local government and conservation.
For the corporate services portfolio, talent was sourced with demonstrated breadth and depth across finance, business planning, ICT, customer services, legal and people and culture functions, reflecting the role’s central importance to organisational performance and integration.
The search was supported by a targeted online advertising campaign, and a dedicated online portal was developed to enable candidates to review both roles in one place and submit applications seamlessly.
The Selection Committee received two concise longlist reports, each presenting a highly qualified and diverse field of candidates. The reports were well received, with positive feedback provided on both the calibre of candidates and the clarity of assessment. Three candidates progressed to selection panel interviews for each role.
Future Leadership Capability Framework
Strategic Leadership
Ability to set and communicate a clear vision, providing certainty, direction and alignment across complex organisations.
Leading Large, Distributed Workforces
Experience leading geographically dispersed teams and large operational workforces in high‑pressure environments.
Public Value & Stakeholder Engagement
Capability to navigate community expectations, stakeholder complexity and public accountability.
Organisational Integration & Systems Leadership
Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise‑wide integration across services, functions and systems.
Financial & Commercial Acumen
Oversight of significant budgets, capital programs and fiscal accountability in large, complex organisations.
Change & Reform Leadership
Proven experience leading reform, service transformation and organisational change at scale.
The Outcome
Two highly experienced senior executives were successfully appointed, each bringing significant public sector leadership experience aligned to the distinct requirements of their respective portfolios.
Both appointees demonstrated strong strategic leadership capability, experience leading large and complex organisations, and a proven ability to operate within politically sensitive, high‑accountability environments. Each commenced in their roles shortly following completion of the process, providing continuity, stability and leadership strength at executive level.
