Executive Recruitment

Deputy Director General & Assistant Director Generals Appointment & Search in Queensland

Strategies, reforms and priorities only create value when the right executive leader brings them to life.



Finding the right Deputy Director General (DDG) or Assistant Director General (ADG) requires more than advertising a vacancy. These appointments demand deep market intelligence, stakeholder engagement, rigorous assessment and access to executives who may never actively apply for a role.


Kingston Human Capital partners with Queensland Government agencies, statutory bodies and public sector organisations to identify, attract and appoint high-performing executive leaders for Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General roles.

Common Challenges When Hiring a DDG or Executive Leader

We're not attracting the right executive talent.

The strongest public sector leaders are rarely applying for roles.

Stakeholders want different outcomes from the role.

Lack of alignment at the start can lead to poor appointment decisions.

We need a leader who can drive reform and transformation.

Today's leaders must deliver transformation, not just operational management.

This appointment is highly valuable.

Executive hiring decisions carry political, organisational and reputational consequences.

What Makes an Outstanding Deputy Director General or Assistant Director General?

Today's Queensland Government executive leaders are expected to:

Shape strategic direction and policy outcomes

Lead complex transformation initiatives

Build high-performing, accountable teams

Navigate complexity and competing priorities

Strengthen organisational culture

Deliver measurable public value

Work effectively with stakeholders

Executive roles Kingston Human Capital commonly recruit:

General Manager (GM)

Service Delivery Executives

Program & Reform Executives

Executive Director (ED)

Assistant Director-General (ADG)

Deputy Director-General (DDG)

Regional Director (RD)

Corporate Services Leaders

Policy & Strategy Leaders

Governance & Risk Leaders

Our Recruitment Process

Defining Success Before

We Search


We work with stakeholders to clarify priorities, leadership capabilities, cultural alignment and measures that define success in the role.

Market Mapping & Executive Identification


We identify exceptional executive talent across Queensland, interstate markets and adjacent industries - including passive leaders.

Executive Assessment

& Evaluation


We assess track records, leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, cultural alignment and history of delivering outcomes.

Appointment Support

& Negotiation


We support negotiations due diligence, reference processes, offer acceptable and executive onboarding planning.

Why Organisations Choose Kingston Human Capital

20+ Years

Executive search experience in Queensland

1,200 +

Executive appointments successfully delivered

15,000 +

Executive leaders engaged through proactive market mapping

96%

Executive offer acceptance rate

100% Partner-Led

Every search led by senior consultants from start to finish.

Meet Your Recruitment Expert
Gerard Kerr
General Manager Executive Search & Selection and Co-Founder

Gerard Kerr

General Manager Executive Search & Selection and Co-Founder
Gerard has over 20 years of recruitment experience and a deep understanding of managing complex search and selection processes across a wide range of industries.

Gerard is an owner of the business. His business pride is on the line for your recruitment needs.

Owner of the Business Working For You

We are no the cheapest, but we are committed to delivering the best value for your investments.

Outstanding Value For Money

We place the right leaders who make a long-lasting impact on your business.

Placements That Matter

Your warranty for confidence in every executive appointment.

Recruitment Guarantee

Over 20 years of industry experience on a fully-qualified career professional.

Highly Experienced Career Recruiters
Full Focus

We are a specialised team dedicated to a number of high-quality placements that get our best attention.

How We Access Executive Talent

✓  Active candidates from our talent networks

✓  Passive leaders open to the right opportunity

✓  Hidden talent communities and introductions

✓  Algorithmic search capability

✓  Talent mapping & market intelligence

Reducing Risk in Executive Appointments

⚠ Misalignment between role and strategy

⚠ Weak stakeholder briefing

⚠ Over-reliance on known networks

⚠ Poor candidate experience

⚠ Unclear assessment criteria

⚠ Slow decision-making

Proof & Credibility

134 consecutive weeks of continued employment

20+ years of executive recruitment expertise

100% guarantee and confidence in every appointment

97% placements still in place after three years

Highlight one exceptional review here........
Position/Title
Organisation
Deputy Director General & Assistant Director Generals Recruitment FAQs
How does Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General executive search differ from traditional recruitment?
What does Kingston Human Capital's Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General recruitment process involve?
How does Kingston Human Capital identify passive Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General candidates?
How does Kingston Human Capital assess leadership capability for Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General appointments?
Why engage Kingston Human Capital for Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General recruitment?
What should organisations look for when recruiting a Deputy Director General or Assistant Director General?
What are the most common mistakes when recruiting a Deputy Director General or Assistant Director General?
Should an organisation appoint an internal candidate or recruit externally?
How do organisations assess succession readiness for Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General roles?
What qualities distinguish exceptional Deputy Directors General and Assistant Directors General?

We Connect People With Purpose

We know the importance of looking beyond skills and experience when it comes to executive competencies.


In the search to secure pedigree executive talent for the Governments and leading commercial organisations, we take a modern, multi-dimensional approach.


Our unique sourcing strategies are customised for every engagement and underpinned by exceptional algorithmic search capabilities. We ensure you have access to active, passive, and hidden executive talent communities.

A group of people are sitting at a table with a laptop and a tablet.

The Companies We Work With

A black and white logo for a company called pensar
The queensland university of technology logo is black and white.
A black and white logo for cross river rail.
The logo for coex container exchange is black and white.

Executive Roles We Are Currently Recruiting

Meet the team

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News and Insights

A statutory authority: 116 applications and up to 29 hours of panel time nobody had
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A project management role on a major infrastructure program closed with 116 applications. Reading them would have taken the panel up to 29 hours before shortlisting began. Kingston Human Capital took the lot and the authority appointed within five weeks.
Nine roles, three months, a deadline that could not move | Kingston case study
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A statutory commission needed nine roles filled before a legislated scheme commenced and did not expect it could be done in time. Kingston Human Capital ran nine campaigns as one program. 534 applications, 37 interviews, nine appointments, 11.6 business days shortlist to report.
Kingston Human Capital Recruitment as a Service
By Michelle Bassett • September 28, 2026
A senior finance leadership role, advertised, extended, and still no competitive field. Kingston Human Capital took the campaign over mid-flight and the department appointed without re-advertising. 44 applications, 4 interviews, 2 suitable candidates, 1 appointment.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Department of Environment and Science (DES) Queensland boasts one of the most diverse and beautiful environments in the world. Without even counting the Great Barrier Reef and its cultural and economic significance to Queensland and Australia, over 64 million visitors flock to Queensland's national parks, forests, and arts and cultural facilities every year. The Department of Environment and Science (DES) exists to protect Queensland's environment so that future generations can enjoy its beauty. Working closely with local government, stakeholders, and communities, the DES works to achieve a better environmental, economic and social future for Queensland. To continue its vital work of protecting Queensland's beautiful, delicate environment, the team at the DES reached out to Kingston as one of their executive recruitment partners. The DES wanted to make sure they partnered with an executive search firm that used both traditional and contemporary recruitment techniques. In addition to traditional executive search, they saw the power of video and understood how contemporary social media talent attraction campaigns would benefit their recruitment project.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Screen Queensland Screen Queensland is a government-owned company working to make Queensland a global leader for the film and TV industry. As a result of Screen Queensland, the Sunshine State was host to some of the biggest movies of the past decade, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Kong: Skull Island, and Thor: Ragnarok. In addition to attracting interstate and international productions to Queensland, the company also fosters homegrown talent in Queensland, investing in the diverse, entertaining, and ground-breaking talent in Queensland; creating jobs, stimulating the economy and upskilling our local industry. Screen Queensland has an ambitious plan for the screen and film industry in Queensland, and Kingston Human Capital helped them find an equally ambitious CEO to steer them towards achieving their vision.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About Coexistence Queensland Coexistence Queensland is a unique statutory body dedicated to fostering sustainable relationships between regional communities, landholders, and the energy and resources sector. The organisation plays a critical role in advancing balanced economic, environmental and social outcomes by facilitating dialogue, sharing knowledge and promoting shared value across Queensland. The appointment of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) marked a strategic investment in strengthening organisational leadership. As a newly established executive position, the COO was integral to aligning operations with Coexistence Queensland’s expanded remit and ensuring the organisation’s structure, culture and stakeholder engagement efforts were equipped for a rapidly evolving policy environment. Kingston Human Capital was engaged as a dedicated executive search partner, supporting the Board and CEO to design and deliver a rigorous national recruitment campaign.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About The Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) Established in 2018, Container Exchange (COEX) is a not-for-profit organisation running Queensland’s Containers for Change Scheme, ensuring that over 3 billion drink bottles don't end up as landfill. The Containers for Change Scheme allows people to return eligible drink containers for a 10 cent refund at over 270 sites across Queensland, reducing container litter and encouraging enterprises to raise funds from donations of container refunds. In addition to the Containers for Change Scheme, COEX promotes recycling and helps the local community from donations to charities, community and sports groups, as well as not-for-profit organisations registered with the scheme.
By Gerard Kerr • September 28, 2026
About The Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is a unique government agency that combines property development with specialist planning functions. EDQ has over 20 locations throughout Queensland providing land solutions to help retain existing industry as well as to attract new business investment and development in Queensland. 
By Gerard Kerr • September 25, 2026
About The Department of Education The Department of Education required an Executive Director and Chief Procurement Officer to provide strategic leadership across procurement and facilities functions within one of Queensland's largest and most complex public sector environments. The role sat within the Finance, Procurement and Facilities Branch and required an executive capable of leading large-scale procurement strategy, influencing stakeholders across a decentralised operating environment and delivering commercial outcomes aligned with government priorities.  Kingston Human Capital was engaged to deliver an end-to-end executive recruitment and selection campaign, including executive search, market mapping, assessment, panel facilitation, reference checking and selection reporting
By Gerard Kerr • September 25, 2026
About The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) sought to appoint an Executive Director responsible for leading significant environmental policy initiatives and investment programs. The role was central to advancing environmental stewardship, innovation and long-term sustainability outcomes across Queensland. This executive leadership position carried responsibility for strategic environmental programs, stakeholder engagement and the administration of major government investment initiatives.
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