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 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?
Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General vs Traditional Recruitment
Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General executive search differs from traditional recruitment because it proactively identifies and engages senior leaders rather than relying solely on advertising. Many of the strongest public sector executives are not actively seeking new opportunities and are only accessible through targeted search and market engagement. Executive search includes stakeholder consultation, market mapping, leadership assessment and confidential candidate engagement, providing access to a broader and often higher-quality talent pool.
What does Kingston Human Capital's Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General recruitment process involve?
Targeted and hands-on process
Our executive recruitment process begins with stakeholder consultation to understand the role, strategic priorities and leadership outcomes required. We then undertake market mapping, executive search, targeted candidate attraction, leadership assessment and shortlisting. Throughout the process we provide market intelligence, candidate insights and recruitment advice to support informed appointment decisions. Our approach is designed to reduce risk and increase confidence in critical leadership appointments.
How does Kingston Human Capital identify passive Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General candidates?
Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General
Many successful Deputy Directors General and Assistant Directors General are currently leading teams, programs or portfolios and are not responding to job advertisements. Kingston Human Capital uses executive search methodologies, professional networks, market research and targeted outreach to identify and engage experienced leaders with relevant government, commercial or specialist expertise. This approach allows organisations to access talent beyond active job seekers.
How does Kingston Human Capital assess leadership capability for Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General appointments?
Structured executive assessment
We assess leaders against the specific requirements of the position, including strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, workforce leadership, governance capability, change management experience and delivery of organisational outcomes. Assessment also considers cultural alignment, operating style, decision-making capability and evidence of leading large teams, programs or portfolios in complex environments.
Why engage Kingston Human Capital for Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General recruitment?
Experts in High-Level Executive Recruitment
Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General appointments influence organisational performance, strategic delivery and stakeholder confidence. Kingston Human Capital provides executive search expertise, access to passive candidates, leadership assessment methodologies and market insights that support informed decision-making. Our focus is not simply filling a vacancy but helping organisations identify leaders capable of delivering long-term outcomes.
What should organisations look for when recruiting a Deputy Director General or Assistant Director General?
Strongest DDG or ADG Identification
Organisations should look for a combination of strategic leadership, stakeholder influence, operational delivery capability and organisational judgement. Successful Deputy Directors General and Assistant Directors General can align workforce capability, government priorities and stakeholder expectations while delivering measurable organisational outcomes. Experience alone is important, but leadership effectiveness, adaptability and influence are often stronger indicators of long-term success.
What are the most common mistakes when recruiting a Deputy Director General or Assistant Director General?
Common Executive Hiring Mistakes
Common mistakes include focusing too heavily on technical expertise, failing to align stakeholders on the role requirements, relying solely on advertising and overlooking leadership capability. Another frequent challenge is recruiting based on past experience without assessing future leadership requirements. The most successful appointments begin with role clarity, stakeholder alignment and a structured assessment process.
Should an organisation appoint an internal candidate or recruit externally?
Internal and External Appointments
Both approaches can be effective depending on organisational objectives and succession readiness. Internal candidates often bring organisational knowledge and continuity, while external candidates may offer fresh perspectives, different experiences and new leadership capabilities. Many organisations assess both markets before making a decision to ensure they understand the full range of available talent
How do organisations assess succession readiness for Deputy Director General and Assistant Director General roles?
Succession Readiness
Succession readiness is typically assessed by evaluating leadership capability, future potential, organisational knowledge and readiness to operate at executive level. Organisations should consider whether potential successors can manage strategic priorities, lead complex stakeholder environments and operate effectively across government, workforce and service delivery challenges. Regular leadership assessment and workforce planning can help identify future executive talent..
What qualities distinguish exceptional Deputy Directors General and Assistant Directors General?
The Difference of an Exceptional Leader from an Average
Exceptional Deputy Directors General and Assistant Directors General combine strategic thinking with operational execution. They can navigate complexity, influence stakeholders, build high-performing teams and deliver outcomes through others. They demonstrate sound judgement, resilience, accountability and the ability to lead through change while maintaining focus on organisational priorities and long-term public value.
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.

The Companies We Work With





Meet the team
Access key features, receive alerts, and manage your finances from the palm of your hand, ensuring banking fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
News and Insights












