The Brief

Fisher Leadership was engaged yet again to partner with a large Victorian Department in May 2020 to assist in the appointment of two Deputy Secretaries. We attended an initial client briefing with key decision makers. The searches required leaders who can inspire large workforces with compelling vision, certainty, and strategic clarity. These portfolios come with significant budgets, capital, and fiscal accountability. ​

Solution Building​

A comprehensive national search process was conducted across relevant public sector agencies and authorities, including candidates from the private sector with previous government experience or deep knowledge across environmental, energy, water, planning, emergency services, local government, and conservation sectors. For corporate services, talent was sourced with breadth and depth across finance, business planning, ICT, customer services, legal and People & Culture. ​

The search was supplemented by an online advertising campaign and an online portal (microsite) was developed for candidates to read about both roles in one place and apply seamlessly.​

The selection committee were presented with two concise Longlist Reports which were well received with positive feedback. Each report included highly qualified diverse candidates and three candidates progressed to selection panel interview for each role.​

The Outcome​

The successful candidate appointed as DepSec FFR brings experience with strategic leadership across policy, regions, service delivery, community engagement, change and reform; and another shortlisted candidate appointed as DepSec Corporate Services offers over 30 years values-based leadership across both state and local governments including at CEO level. Both candidates commenced in July 2020.​