Nicole Hurwood was born on Larakia country and grew up in post Cyclone Tracy Darwin. She commenced working in the Northern Territory Public Service as an office clerical trainee at the Department of Mines and Energy in 1994.

In a public service career spanning over 30 years, Nicole has worked in a number of agencies including in the Department of Education for fifteen years; and as a Deputy Chief Executive in Territory Families Housing and Communities for seven years. Nicole is currently the Northern Territory’s Commissioner for Public Employment – a role in which she is focussed on building a strong and sustainable public service and on increasing employment and career opportunities for Aboriginal Territorians.

Nicole has a strong corporate background with experience in both strategic policy and supporting frontline operations. She is passionate about growing leadership capability and high performing teams; in delivering public value in service delivery; and in creating adaptable, change resilient and well managed organisations.

Nicole is a member of Northern Territory Government’s ICT Governance Board. She was also a Board Member of Carpentaria Disability Services for four years and held the role of Chairperson of the Quality and Safeguarding Committee.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Business; a Master of Arts (Public Sector Leadership); a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management; is a Graduate Company Directors Course and has completed the ANZSOG Executive Fellows Program.