By Jaqquline Lawrie, 30 April, 2026
For many public sector professionals, progressing into senior leadership requires more than experience alone. It requires a broader understanding of policy, stronger communication skills, and the confidence to lead at a higher level.
We recently spoke with Kahl Noy, Director of Closing the Gap at Services Australia, and Mark Webber, Director of Rapid Prototyping and Cognitive Services at Services Australia, about how they advanced their careers in the public sector.
Stepping into senior leadership
When asked about their motivation to step into senior leadership, both Mark and Kahl reflected on what prompted their next move.
For Kahl, that shift came as he began thinking about what was next.
“I had aspirations of progressing to the National Manager level,” he said.
“To do that, I knew I needed a deeper understanding of Australian politics, stronger leadership capability, and the ability to communicate more effectively,” he said.
Mark experienced a similar shift, saying, “After 16 years working in government, I’d started stepping into bigger responsibilities, including becoming Change and Release Manager for myGov.”
“When I began looking at executive and director roles, I realised how competitive they were and that I didn’t have the formal qualification many candidates had,” he said.
Recognising the need to strengthen their leadership credentials, both Kahl and Mark enrolled in the QUT Public Sector Management Program (PSMP).
Designed for mid-level managers across the Australian Public Service and non-government organisations, the QUT PSMP is developed in consultation with all levels of government. It reflects current public sector priorities and equips professionals with the strategic insight, policy knowledge, and leadership capability needed to step confidently into senior roles.
Building credibility through formal study
Like many in the public sector, Kahl and Mark entered the workforce early, building extensive experience without formal qualifications. For Mark, the QUT PSMP provided a clear pathway to formalise that experience and progress into leadership.
“I went straight from school into the workforce, so I didn’t have a formal qualification,” said Mark.
“The QUT PSMP gave me the opportunity to formalise my experience and step into leadership roles.”
Kahl, who shared a similar perspective and had considered the program for several years, encourages others not to be deterred by a non-traditional academic background.
“You don’t need a university background to succeed,” said Kahl.
“Even if you don’t know how to reference or how it all works, the QUT PSMP support mechanisms are fantastic.
“They’re there to support you, and in my view, the course is designed to help you succeed, which I found both reassuring and refreshing,” Kahl said.
Pictured: Kahl Noy, Director of Closing the Gap at Services Australia and QUT Public Sector Management Alumnus
How applied learning accelerates career progression
Designed for public sector professionals, the program delivers real-world industry insights while allowing you to tailor each assessment and module to your current role.
“The QUT PSMP was highly applicable to my role,” said Kahl, “with every assignment and module allowing me to make direct links to the content and apply it to my day-to-day work.”
“It gave me a better understanding of my organisation, agency and where we fit within the broader government agenda, which allowed me to contribute to my team more strategically,” he said.
Echoing this, Mark said the program reshaped how he thinks.
“Learning about public value and applying it to real workplace challenges transformed the way I approach my work in government,” he said.
For Mark, the impact was immediate.
“The QUT PSMP helped me progress from management into senior leadership,” he said, “and about three-quarters of the way through, I secured my Director role in IT Cognitive Services.
“The program also evolved with my role and responsibilities—it was immediately applicable in helping my team operate more efficiently, better assess their workload, and take action more effectively.”
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Explore the QUT PSMP and find out how it can benefit you by clicking here.
