NSW science manager jobs do not come more consequential than this. Lead high-impact science and research initiatives that shape NSW’s innovation ecosystem. Ideal for experienced professionals with a passion for evidence-based policy and stakeholder engagement, this role places you at the centre of strategic programs, grants, and advice that influence state-wide decision-making. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to deliver real-world impact, this guide will help you submit a compelling, compliant application that stands out.
Below you will find a structured, step-by-step approach to applying for the Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) at the Premier’s Department.
Use our comprehensive NSW Public Sector Recruitment Guide and pair it with our free NSW cover-letter template to sharpen your strategy, demonstrate merit, and present polished documents that meet government standards.
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Manager Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer Salary and Job Overview
| Position Title | Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer |
| Organisation / Agency | Premier’s Department |
| Location | Martin Place, Sydney, NSW |
| Work Type | Full-time; 1 ongoing and 1 temporary (12-month) opportunity |
| Base Pay | Clerk Grade 9/10. Package includes base salary ($129,464 – $142,665) plus superannuation (12%) and leave loading. |
| Closing Date | 24/09/2025 – 10:00 AM |
About the Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer at Premier’s Department
The Manager roles within the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) sit within the Science and Research team and provide a crucial link between the state’s innovation ambitions and tangible outcomes for communities and industry. In these roles you will lead strategic science programs, guide research investments, manage grant administration, and provide high-quality policy advice to senior decision-makers. Your work will contribute directly to building a stronger, more resilient science and innovation landscape in NSW by translating research insights into actionable policies, initiatives, and partnerships.
You will operate in a complex, dynamic environment that spans government, academia, and industry. The operating context often involves compressed timeframes, competing priorities, and sensitive stakeholder interests. Success requires balancing rigour and responsiveness: scanning emerging evidence, shaping options, and advising leaders with clear, well-reasoned recommendations. The grant portfolio presents an additional challenge, demanding strong governance, transparent processes, and a commitment to maximising impact from public investment. You will be expected to maintain exceptional standards of documentation and reporting, ensure alignment with strategy, and prepare briefings that enable confident, evidence-based decision-making.
The roles report to senior leaders and require a collaborative, delivery-focused mindset. You will oversee end-to-end projects, from concept and design through to implementation and benefits tracking. The work is varied: one day you may be coordinating research partners on a complex scientific issue; the next, you could be advising executives on innovation policy or preparing Cabinet-quality materials. If you bring a strong grasp of research and analytical methods, an ability to engage stakeholders constructively, and a track record of leading programs to completion, you will be well placed to make an immediate contribution at OCSE.
Why the Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer Is a Great Opportunity
These roles offer the chance to deliver impact at scale. You will shape science and research initiatives that influence NSW’s innovation ecosystem, guiding public investment and partnering with leading institutions. The portfolio is diverse, spanning strategic programs, grant administration, and high-level advice to senior decision-makers. If you are motivated by evidence-based policy and practical outcomes, this is a platform to create meaningful, measurable benefits for the state.
The positions are based at Martin Place with flexible working arrangements, offering a modern, supportive environment that values agility and collaboration. With both an ongoing role and a 12-month opportunity, you can choose the pathway that best suits your career stage. The team culture embraces cross-sector collaboration and continuous learning, giving you access to experts across government, academia, and industry.
Importantly, the recruitment may create a talent pool, offering career progression beyond the immediate vacancies. That means you can bring your strengths in project leadership, stakeholder engagement, and analytical thinking to a series of future opportunities, positioning yourself as a trusted specialist in NSW science and research policy.
Application Requirements for the Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer
Premier’s Department Application Process
Government applications are compliance-driven. Small errors can lead to otherwise strong candidates being screened out. Read the requirements carefully and submit everything as requested, exactly as requested.
For this role, you must provide the following:
- A resume detailing relevant knowledge, skills and experience (maximum 5 pages).
- A cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of the role (maximum 2 pages).
Ensure your resume is precise, current, and tailored to the capabilities. Keep your cover letter focused on the role requirements and explicitly link your experience to the outcomes needed in OCSE.
While formats can vary by portal, it is generally safest to upload documents in Word or PDF and to submit both documents well before the closing time to avoid system issues. Because the cover letter is required with a defined limit, write a concise, outcomes-led narrative that shows how you meet the role’s needs in no more than 2 pages.
What to Include in Your Manager Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer Written Application
In your written application for the Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, use your cover letter to introduce yourself to the Hiring Manager and frame your strongest achievements. Demonstrate how your experience aligns with the role by linking your contributions to measurable outcomes. Use the exact wording from the job ad where relevant, so your application clearly mirrors the criteria and shows a strong match.
In your cover letter, make sure you address the following key capabilities:
- Strategic Policy Capability: Proven experience in science/research policy, including grant program management or policy development, science/research policy, grant program management
- Stakeholder Engagement: Strong ability to manage complex stakeholders across government, academia and industry, stakeholders, government, academia and industry
- Project Leadership: Experience leading end-to-end project management and delivery in government or complex settings, end-to-end project management, delivery
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, including preparing high-quality briefings, reports and advice for senior decision-makers, briefings, senior decision-makers
- Analytical Thinking: Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and provide evidence-based recommendations.
Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer Application Checklist
| ✅ | Read the full job ad — Open the listing on I Work for NSW and make sure it’s a role you’re genuinely interested in. |
| ✅ | Want to apply? — Just copy the job ad URL and submit it via the Write It For Me form to get started right away. |
| ✅ | Let me do the hard part — I’ll prepare your complete application pack, tailored specifically to the role |
| ✅ | Fill in your story — You’ll receive pre-filled, easy-to-use documents with prompts to help you add your personal experience and examples. |
| ✅ | Get expert review — Send it back for a final polish from someone who’s worked on real government hiring panels. |
| ✅ | Apply with confidence — Submit a professional application that meets all the criteria—and positions you as a standout candidate. |
Candidate Profile — Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer
Priya is a Senior Policy Advisor at Pacific Digital Solutions, where she leads cross-functional teams delivering research and innovation projects for major clients. She has successfully managed multi-million dollar grant programs and developed strategic policy recommendations adopted by executive leadership. Priya is highly skilled in stakeholder engagement across government, academia, and industry, and brings a proven record in complex project delivery.
She excels at translating technical research into actionable advice, preparing clear briefings and options that support evidence-based decisions. With strong analytical thinking and excellent communication, Priya is ready to step into the OCSE Manager role and drive high-impact science and research initiatives in NSW.
Manager Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer Example Cover Letter
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the OCSE Manager role, bringing to the position a strong foundation in science and research policy, grant program management, and strategic leadership developed through my experience as a Senior Policy Advisor at Pacific Digital Solutions.
I will bring to this role my expertise in strategic policy development and science/research program management. At Pacific Digital Solutions, I led the design and delivery of a national science innovation grant program valued at over $25 million. Working closely with federal and state government partners, I developed funding criteria aligned to research priorities, assessed complex submissions, and provided final recommendations to the executive board. My policy advice directly informed ministerial decisions and was reflected in subsequent federal budget allocations. Through this, I demonstrated an ability to align strategic policy with actionable funding mechanisms that drive science and research outcomes.
I bring a strong ability to engage stakeholders across government, academia, and industry. Recently, I facilitated a cross-sectoral roundtable focused on digital research infrastructure. I coordinated participation from five universities, two government departments, and several private sector R&D leaders. By designing a collaborative agenda and moderating discussions, I ensured all voices were represented and contentious issues were resolved. The resulting communique informed the development of a national research infrastructure roadmap and enhanced partnerships across sectors.
I offer proven experience in end-to-end project leadership in complex environments. I managed a multi-agency project assessing the impact of emerging technologies on regional economies. Over 12 months, I led a multidisciplinary team, established governance arrangements, maintained timelines and budgets, and delivered a final report adopted by multiple jurisdictions. The success of this project was due to my ability to anticipate risks, keep stakeholders aligned, and ensure high-quality outputs under pressure.
I demonstrate excellent communication skills, especially in preparing advice for senior decision-makers. I recently authored a policy briefing on the implications of generative AI for research integrity. The briefing synthesised complex technical research into clear, actionable policy options. It was praised by the Chief Scientist for its clarity and depth and was used to inform ministerial remarks at a national conference. I regularly prepare reports, speaking points, and briefings that are used at the highest levels of government.
Finally, I bring strong analytical thinking and research capability. I conducted an in-depth analysis of international funding models for translational research, drawing from OECD data, academic studies, and stakeholder interviews. My comparative framework identified key success factors and gaps in the Australian approach. The resulting recommendations were incorporated into a new funding strategy and cited in interdepartmental discussions. My ability to translate complex information into evidence-based, practical advice is one of my core strengths.
I am deeply motivated by the opportunity to support science and research excellence in NSW and would welcome the chance to contribute my skills to the OCSE team. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Priya
How to Use the STAR Method In Your Applications
The STAR method is a structured approach for responding to capability questions in job applications. STAR stands for:
- Situation – Describe the context within which you performed a task or faced a challenge.
- Task – Explain the specific responsibility or challenge involved.
- Action – Detail the steps you took to address the task or challenge.
- Result – Share the outcome or impact of your actions.
Using the STAR method helps you present your experience clearly and convincingly, showing not just what you did, but how and why it mattered.
Example from Priya’s Cover Letter (Stakeholder Engagement):
“Recently, I facilitated a cross-sectoral roundtable focused on digital research infrastructure. I coordinated participation from five universities, two government departments, and several private sector R&D leaders. By designing a collaborative agenda and moderating discussions, I ensured all voices were represented and contentious issues were resolved. The resulting communique informed the development of a national research infrastructure roadmap and enhanced partnerships across sectors.”
Let’s break it down:
- Situation: Facilitating a roundtable on digital research infrastructure.
- Task: Bring together diverse stakeholders to develop shared policy outcomes.
- Action: Coordinated participation, designed the agenda, moderated discussions.
- Result: Produced a communique that informed national policy and strengthened sector collaboration.
When writing your own responses, follow this structure to demonstrate the depth and relevance of your experience. Use concrete examples, focus on your actions, and link them to clear outcomes.
Get Your Manager Application Ready Now
If you want a sharper, faster, more persuasive application for this role, I can help you submit with confidence. You will get a complete, tailored set of documents aligned to the criteria and written to government standards.
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Ready to move? Use the Write It For Me service now and get a professional, panel-ready application pack that showcases your impact.
Act today and position yourself as a standout candidate for OCSE.
