Are you passionate about leveraging data insights to guide critical decisions? The Manager Business Intelligence role at the NSW Police Force offers a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated team, shape data-driven decision making, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across one of the largest public sector agencies in Australia. With a focus on business intelligence products and platforms like Power BI, this position invites forward-thinking leaders ready to tackle new challenges.
In this role, you’ll take charge of developing modern analytics capabilities, facilitating the adoption of business intelligence solutions, and using data insights to steer key initiatives.
If you’re the kind of professional who thrives on turning complex datasets into actionable strategies, this position may be the perfect step forward in your public sector career.
If you’re new to public sector recruitment, check out this unofficial guide to NSW Public Sector recruitment for more insider tips and context.
Now, let’s dive into what makes this role truly stand out, and how you can submit a compelling application with a strong cover letter, powerful STAR method examples, and well-structured interview preparation.
Table of Contents
Manager Business Intelligence: Empowering Data-Driven Decision Making in the NSW Public Sector
Manager Business Intelligence Overview
| Position Title | Manager Business Intelligence |
|---|---|
| Organisation/Entity | NSW Police Force |
| Job Location | Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney Region |
| Work Type | Ongoing, Full-Time |
| Base Pay | $161,034 – $168,130 (plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading) |
| Closing Date | 23/02/2025 – 11:59 PM |
About the Manager Business Intelligence Opportunity
The NSW Police Force is a cornerstone agency within the NSW Public Sector, employing over 20,000 people to serve communities across the state. As the Manager Business Intelligence, you’ll play a crucial role in spearheading the development of business intelligence products and data insights that influence day-to-day and strategic decisions. Your leadership will help ensure the organisation takes full advantage of its vast data holdings.
Leading the Chief Data Office team under the Technology & Communication Services Command, you’ll collaborate with operational and administrative divisions to deliver meaningful analytics and reporting. Experience with Power BI and other contemporary data analytics tools will be highly valuable. By forging strong partnerships within the agency, you’ll turn raw data into actionable intelligence that supports the NSW Police Force’s mission to uphold the safety and wellbeing of the community.
Stepping into this position comes with unique challenges that combine both technical and leadership demands. First, you’ll be guiding a team of specialists who develop automated reporting tools, dashboards, and analyses to support wide-ranging needs across the NSW Police Force. Coordinating these efforts requires in-depth understanding of data infrastructure, project management, and user experience design to ensure reports are accurate, accessible, and user-friendly.
Second, you must drive organisational culture change by encouraging greater adoption of business intelligence products. Different stakeholders may have varied levels of familiarity with data-driven decision making. Ensuring buy-in at all levels, from frontline staff to executive leadership, will test your people skills and strategic thinking. By balancing these elements—technical expertise, user engagement, and strong leadership—you’ll help position the department as a leader in data analytics within the NSW Public Sector.
Reasons to Apply for Manager Business Intelligence
This role offers a rare chance to influence critical decisions that shape the future of law enforcement and community safety. As the Manager Business Intelligence, you’ll be the driving force behind data-driven decision making, helping the NSW Police Force align its strategies with robust analytical insights. Below are some compelling reasons to consider this position:
- Transformational Impact: Your business intelligence products will support operational, tactical, and strategic decisions for one of Australia’s largest public sector organisations.
- Leadership Development: You’ll refine your leadership and team leading skills by overseeing a multifaceted analytics function, ensuring each team member’s strengths are utilised effectively.
- Career Progression: Working at Sydney Olympic Park, you’ll be well-placed to explore future opportunities within the NSW Public Sector, leveraging the visibility and network you’ll gain.
- Pay and Benefits: A high base pay up to $168,130, plus super and public sector leave entitlements.
Manager Business Intelligence Application Requirements
When it comes to public sector recruitment, adhering to the application guidelines is crucial. Here’s what you need to prepare for a successful application:
All applications must be submitted electronically via the I Work for NSW website.
To apply, you’ll need a comprehensive resume and a succinct cover letter (maximum two pages) that highlights why you’re a strong fit for this role.
In addition, you’ll address two target questions (up to 500 words per response) focusing on your experience leading a team to deliver business intelligence solutions and how you communicate data insights to various audiences.
Think of your cover letter as a chance to reinforce your ability to drive data-driven decision making and lead a diverse team. Show how your background in business intelligence, leadership, and stakeholder engagement meets the position’s needs. Remember that clarity, relevance, and strong structure are key elements of a compelling application in public sector recruitment.
Manager Business Intelligence Essential Role Requirements
The role description list the following essential requirements, which must be addressed in your cover letter:
- Obtain and maintain the requisite security clearances for this position
- Tertiary qualifications in in relevant field of business, economics, statistics, or equivalent experience in a related discipline.
You should also cover briefly in your cover letter, the following knowledge and skills listed in the role description:
- Demonstrated experience in identifying improvement opportunities through analysis of data from a range of sources and translating these into applied solutions
- Experience in leading and working in cross-functional teams to develop common solutions and approaches.
Target Questions
For this role, you need to address target question as part of your application. Make sure you use the STAR format when answering these questions. You can see example answers to these questions in the example cover letter below.
Here are the two target questions to address.
Target Question 1:
Describe your experience leading a team to deliver automated business intelligence products and services for a large organisation. What steps did you take to 1) understand user’s needs, and 2) improve the adoption of business intelligence products and services across the organisation?
Target Question 2:
Describe your experience 1) interpreting and communicating data insights to a range of different audiences, and 2) the strategies you took to improve data-driven decision-making from those insights? What challenges did you need to overcome, how did you go about it, and what was the impact?
Understanding and Addressing Focus Capabilities
In the NSW Public Sector, each role comes with a set of “focus capabilities” that describe the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed for success. It’s important to review the official role description carefully to identify these capabilities and tailor your cover letter, resume, and responses to any target questions accordingly.
You can learn more about the NSW Capability Framework by visiting this link . Aligning your application with these capabilities—such as providing examples that demonstrate strong leadership, data insights, and strategic thinking—can significantly strengthen your case. Focus on illustrating how your experience addresses the role’s challenges and how you’re prepared to deliver high-impact results in business intelligence.
NSW Police Application Checklist
| Checklist Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Update Your Resume | Focus on data insights, leadership, and relevant BI projects |
| Write a Targeted Cover Letter | Demonstrate how you meet both essential and desirable criteria |
| Answer Target Questions | Provide 500-word responses with real-world examples |
| Get Your Cover Letter Reviewed | Click here to get professional feedback |
| Submit Application Online | Complete your application via I Work for NSW before the deadline |
Candidate Profile
Meet Sarah, a seasoned business intelligence professional who has spent three years leading analytics teams in a large corporate setting. Before this, she worked in a big four consultancy and has experience providing business analysis services to government.
She’s passionate about harnessing data insights to shape strategic outcomes and sees an opportunity to make a broader societal impact by transitioning into the NSW Public Sector. With a flair for explaining complex data to diverse audiences, Sarah excels at building consensus around new ideas and solutions.
Eager to challenge herself further, she’s ready to take on the role of Manager Business Intelligence and help the NSW Police Force elevate its data-driven decision making to new heights.
Example Cover Letter for NSW Police
Re: Application for Manager, Business Intelligence
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the role of Manager, Business Intelligence with the NSW Police Force. With over six years of experience in business intelligence and analytics—three of which I have spent leading high-performing analytics teams—I bring a strong foundation in data-driven strategy, business transformation, and stakeholder engagement. My professional background spans both the corporate sector and government consulting, where I have developed automated business intelligence solutions, led cross-functional teams, and championed data-informed decision-making. Transitioning into the NSW Public Sector presents an opportunity to apply my expertise in a way that directly supports community safety and operational excellence.
I hold tertiary qualifications in business and data analytics. Additionally, I understand the importance of obtaining and maintaining requisite security clearances, given the nature of intelligence and data management within a law enforcement setting. My previous work in government consulting has familiarised me with the security protocols and compliance standards relevant to working with sensitive information.
Throughout my career, I have excelled in identifying improvement opportunities through data analysis, transforming raw insights into actionable business strategies. I have successfully led cross-functional teams to implement automated intelligence solutions that streamline reporting, improve data accessibility, and foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making.
Target Questions
Describe your experience leading a team to deliver automated business intelligence products and services for a large organisation. What steps did you take to 1) understand user’s needs, and 2) improve the adoption of business intelligence products and services across the organisation?
In my role as a Business Analytics Manager at [Previous Company], I led a team responsible for developing an automated performance reporting dashboard for a national organisation, replacing a manual reporting process that consumed significant resources.
To ensure the dashboard aligned with user needs, I conducted a discovery phase, facilitating workshops with stakeholders across different departments. These sessions identified critical pain points, data gaps, and key performance metrics. With these insights, my team developed a prototype using Power BI, ensuring it was both customisable and user-friendly. A phased rollout allowed for iterative feedback, which we incorporated into refinements before full implementation.
Recognising that adoption required more than just a technical solution, I oversaw a comprehensive engagement strategy. This included hands-on training, tutorial videos, and ongoing support channels to ensure seamless integration into daily workflows. The dashboard ultimately reduced manual reporting time by 60%, improved real-time data access, and saw organisation-wide adoption within six months.
This experience reinforced the value of early and continuous stakeholder engagement. Moving forward, I have embedded an agile approach in my leadership style, ensuring business intelligence solutions remain adaptable to evolving organisational needs.
Describe your experience 1) interpreting and communicating data insights to a range of different audiences, and 2) the strategies you took to improve data-driven decision-making from those insights? What challenges did you need to overcome, how did you go about it, and what was the impact?
As a Senior BI Consultant at [Big Four Firm], I worked with a government agency struggling to translate workforce data into actionable strategies for talent retention and workforce planning.
The challenge was twofold: making complex data insights accessible to non-technical executives while ensuring frontline managers could derive operational benefits. To address this, I developed a tiered reporting framework, consisting of a high-level executive dashboard presenting key insights and trends, alongside drill-down reports that allowed managers to explore detailed workforce analytics.
To improve data-driven decision-making, I led interactive data storytelling sessions where stakeholders were guided through the implications of workforce trends. By using visualisation techniques and real-world scenarios, I demonstrated how specific insights could inform proactive workforce strategies. Additionally, I introduced scenario-based forecasting models, allowing leaders to simulate the impact of different hiring and retention strategies before implementation.
The result was a significant improvement in data literacy across the organisation. Executives leveraged these insights to drive more informed hiring decisions, reducing staff turnover by 15%. Operational managers, meanwhile, gained greater confidence in integrating data into their decision-making processes.
This experience underscored the importance of tailoring data communication to different audiences. Since then, I have continued refining my approach to data storytelling, ensuring insights not only inform but also inspire meaningful strategic action.
I am eager to bring this same strategic and stakeholder-focused approach to the NSW Police Force, ensuring that business intelligence solutions are impactful, accessible, and aligned with operational priorities. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience can support your team and look forward to the possibility of contributing to a safer and more data-driven NSW.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Explain the STAR Technique
The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique is a powerful method for structuring your responses to competency-based questions, particularly in public sector recruitment. By framing your experiences within this format, you clearly demonstrate how you’ve tackled real-world challenges and achieved measurable outcomes. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Situation: Describe the setting or problem you encountered.
- Task: Clarify your responsibilities or objectives.
- Action: Explain the steps you took to address the issue.
- Result: Highlight the outcome, including any quantifiable achievements.
In the example cover letter, you can see how using this approach to answer target questions can really highlight that you are capable of performing the role.
How to Prepare for a Public Sector Interview
Public sector interviews often focus on demonstrating key capabilities rather than just technical qualifications. As you prepare for an interview with the NSW Police Force or another agency/department, consider the following steps to stand out:
- Review the Focus Capabilities: Revisit the role description to identify the capabilities that carry the most weight. Ensure your examples align well with what the panel is seeking.
- Brainstorm Examples: Think about moments in your career when you successfully used data insights, demonstrated leadership, or developed business intelligence products. Write down concise stories that emphasize your strengths.
- Match to Indicators: Each capability often has behavioural indicators in the NSW Capability Framework. Align your stories with these indicators (e.g., anticipating stakeholder needs, ensuring accountability, or maintaining customer focus).
- Use the STAR Method: Structure your answers with Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This helps the interview panel follow your thought process and understand the value of your contributions.
- Practise & Use Notes: If the interview format allows, have brief notes on hand to stay focused. If not, rehearse your main points until you’re comfortable discussing them from memory.
In a public sector setting like the NSW Police Force, you may face questions specifically about leadership, data-driven decision making, and team leading. Below are three possible interview questions you could encounter:
- “Tell us about a time you led a team to deliver a complex analytics project under tight deadlines.”
- “How do you handle stakeholder resistance when introducing new business intelligence products?”
- “Describe a situation where data insights significantly changed a strategic decision.”
Using the STAR method, you could craft an answer like this:
Situation: You were asked to overhaul legacy reporting systems for a department struggling with outdated dashboards.
Task: Your goal was to ensure higher adoption rates and real-time analytics to inform daily operations.
Action: You collaborated with users, introduced Power BI for interactive reports, and conducted training sessions.
Result: Dashboard usage rose substantially, saving man-hours and improving decision speed across teams.
If you’ve got a public sector interview coming up, check out these public sector interview question and answer workbooks.
Final thoughts
If you’re ready to bring your leadership and technical skills to the NSW Police Force as the Manager Business Intelligence, don’t wait—make your move now! Click here to apply through the I Work for NSW website before the closing date.
Need guidance on your cover letter or resume? Consider getting a professional review to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. With the right preparation and focus on showcasing your capability to deliver business intelligence solutions, you’ll be well on your way to making a significant impact in the NSW Public Sector.
