Open 7 Days from 8am - 10pm

PS Interview Coach Logo
Federal & State Public Sector Leadership Coaching

Stop Surviving the "Middle Management Twilight Zone". Start Leading.

High-Performance Executive Coaching & Leadership Mentoring for APS and State Government Managers

Transitioning from a high-performing technical expert to a public sector supervisor or manager is one of the most demanding leaps in your career.

Suddenly, you find yourself caught in the "Middle Management Twilight Zone" - tasked with translating complex executive directives into daily operational delivery, all while shielding your team from high-pressure workloads and organisational ambiguity.

Excellence in technical output is no longer enough to guarantee your leadership success or your next promotion. Under mandatory structures like the Secretaries' Charter of Leadership Behaviours (the DRIVE Framework) and State Government models (such as the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework), how you lead your team and manage relationships is evaluated just as heavily as what you deliver.

You are expected to foster high-performing teams, manage hybrid work environments, address underperformance, and deliver frank, fearless, and solution-oriented advice to executive leadership.

The question is: Who is supporting you?

Section 1

Building High-Performing Managers in Government

At PS Interview Coach, we deliver focused, tailored, 1-on-1 high-performance coaching for new and existing APS and State Government managers at all levels. We are far more than an interview preparation service; we are your strategic partner for long-term career growth and leadership effectiveness.

We serve as your independent confidant - a secure, unbiased sounding board outside of your agency's chain of command. We give you the confidential space to unpack sensitive workplace friction, resolve complex team issues, and navigate agency politics with complete discretion.

Ditch static, generic training courses. By aligning with the APS Continuous Learning Model (70:20:10), our 1-on-1 coaching targets the critical 20% (people-led development) to directly transform your 70% (daily, real-world execution).

APS Continuous Learning Model (70:20:10)

70% On-the-Job Experience

Real workplace challenges and operational delivery

20% Coaching & Mentoring

PS Interview Coach 1:1 Strategic Partner

10% Formal L&D Courses

Structured institutional learning modules

Section 2

Public Sector Management Capabilities That Drive Impact

Core leadership competencies refined specifically for government frameworks and public accountability.

1

Performance Cycle & Metric Mastery

Poorly drafted metrics are a career trap. We coach you on driving frequent quality conversations with your executive team and strategically negotiating your Key Expected Results (KERs) and KPIs within mandatory frameworks like PFADS or agency equivalent performance cycles.

2

Navigating Difficult Conversations

Move past feedback anxiety. We equip you with the COEC Model (Connect, Open, Explore, Close) to address performance concerns early, clearly distinguishing between capability (skill) gaps and conduct (will) issues.

3

The "Leader-as-Coach" Advantage

Shift from micromanagement to true capability building. Master the GROW Coaching Model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) to support employee development on the job while protecting your own time.

4

Managing Up & Strategic Influence

Learn to translate operational complexities into executive-ready advice. Adopt a "no surprises" communication style, provide frank and fearless advice to SES or Ministerial stakeholders, and protect team morale during high-intensity crunch times.

5

Capability Mapping for Progression

Unsure of your exact career trajectory? We utilise our proprietary C-MAP System™ (Capability Mapping & Advancement Plan, mapping SFIA9, ILS, and State Capability Frameworks) to align your output with Work Level Standards (WLS) for promotion readiness.

Section 3

Tailored High-Performance Leadership Partnerships

Invest in a strategic coaching partnership designed to elevate your management capability, safeguard your team's psychological safety, and position you for long-term executive advancement. (Workplace Funding May Be Available).

APS 5 - EL 1 / Clerk 5/6 - 9/10

Emerging Leader Core

Targeted 3-month program for establishing direction and supervisory basics.

Structure: 3 Months (6 x 60-min sessions)
Primary Focus: Supervisory confidence & COEC Model feedback
Performance Alignment: Initial WLS alignment & team leadership
Capability System: Rapid C-MAP System™
$1,997

Workplace Funding May Be Available

Select Emerging Leader Core
Executive Tier
EL 1 - EL 2 / SES Level

Executive Capability Core

Elite 3-month toolkit for experienced leaders requiring advanced political acumen.

Structure: 3 Months (6 x 60-min sessions)
Primary Focus: Political acumen & ministerial influence
Mentoring Support: NV1-cleared mentors & crisis email support
Capability System: Full C-MAP Diagnostic™
$2,597

Workplace Funding May Be Available

Select Executive Core
APS & State Gov Staff

Career Mentoring Core

12-week intensive for overcoming burnout, workload management, and momentum.

Structure: 12 Weeks (6 x 60-min sessions)
Primary Focus: Workload management & burnout recovery
Application Prep: Rapid C-MAP™ alignment & application prep
Support: Private 1:1 sessions
$1,897

Workplace Funding May Be Available

Select Mentoring Core
Extended Partnership (6 Months)

Progression Core

Bridging a full annual performance cycle, PFADS/KER negotiation, and team capability building for emerging & current managers (APS 5 - EL 1).

$3,990

Workplace Funding May Be Available

Enquire Progression Core
Elite Partnership (6 Months)

APS & Executive Core

Strategic influence, NV1-cleared confidential support, full C-MAP Diagnostic™, and crisis management for EL 1/EL 2 & high-potential leaders.

$5,990

Workplace Funding May Be Available

Enquire Executive Core
Curriculum Architecture

High-Performing Managers in Government

Delivered across 6 fortnightly 60-minute 1:1 coaching sessions over a focused 3-month sprint, structured directly around the APS Continuous Learning Model (70:20:10).

Sessions 1 & 2

MODULE 1

Leading Self & Capabilities

Sessions 3 & 4

MODULE 2

Leading People & Performance

Sessions 5 & 6

MODULE 3

Managing Up & Systems Leadership

Sessions 1 & 2

MODULE 1: Leading Self & Capability Alignment

Mindset Shift & Strategic Positioning

Focus: Shifting mindset from individual technical contributor to public sector leader, setting personal boundaries, and aligning individual capabilities with government frameworks.

1. Technical-to-Strategic Mindset Shift

  • • Transitioning from operational doing to team enabling.
  • • Applying the 70:20:10 Learning Model to structure personal and team development.

2. Proprietary C-MAP System™ Diagnostic

  • • Evaluating current baseline capabilities against APS Work Level Standards (WLS), SFIA9, or State Capability Frameworks (e.g., NSW Public Sector Capability Framework).
  • • Uncovering hidden capability gaps required for promotion from APS 6 to EL 1 or EL 1 to EL 2.

3. Burnout Resilience & Boundary Setting

  • • Workload prioritisation models for managing high-accountability environments.
  • • Techniques to preserve mental well-being and psychological safety during peak agency delivery phases.
Practical Toolkit Item

The C-MAP™ WLS Baseline Audit

A self-assessment template to reframe technical tasks into high-impact leadership evidence for annual reviews.

Sessions 3 & 4

MODULE 2: Leading People & Performance Management

Supervisory Excellence & Team Delivery

Focus: Developing supervisory confidence, mastering mandatory performance systems, addressing underperformance, and embedding a coaching culture.

1. Mandatory Performance Cycles (PFADS / Non-SES Framework)

  • • Drafting strategic Key Expected Results (KERs) and KPIs during annual planning.
  • • Operationalising the DRIVE Framework (Dynamic, Respectful, Integrity, Value others, Empower people) so team behaviours are measured alongside core outputs.

2. Addressing Underperformance via COEC

  • • Structuring difficult conversations using COEC (Connect, Open, Explore, Close).
  • • Differentiating between Capability (skill gap requiring coaching) and Conduct (will/behavioural gap requiring formal management).

3. The "Leader-as-Coach" Advantage

  • • Applying the GROW Model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) during regular 1-on-1 conversations.
  • • Distinguishing when to use facilitative coaching versus directional mentoring.
Practical Toolkit Item

The COEC & GROW Conversation Matrix

A step-by-step guide for preparing and conducting objective, evidence-based performance conversations.

Sessions 5 & 6

MODULE 3: Managing Up, Political Acumen & Systems Leadership

Executive Influence & Strategic Promotion

Focus: Navigating senior executive expectations, delivering frank and fearless advice, managing hybrid teams, and strategic promotion positioning.

1. Managing Up & Executive Influence

  • • Translating team outputs into executive-ready briefings for SES, Agency Executives, and Ministers.
  • • Establishing a "no surprises" communication strategy while providing proactive risk mitigations.

2. Political Acumen & Frank Advice

  • • Reading the broader political environment and alignment with government policy.
  • • Formulating frank, fearless, and solution-focused advice under pressure.

3. Hybrid Team Leadership & Career Progression

  • • Sustaining engagement, trust, and accountability across modern hybrid workforces.
  • • Utilising the Supervisor Pitch & Evaluation Form within the C-MAP System™ to turn direct managers into career sponsors.
Practical Toolkit Item

The Executive Briefing & Risk Template

A practical framework for presenting operational issues alongside immediate policy and program solutions to senior leadership.

Take The Next Step

Take Control of Your Leadership Trajectory

Stop navigating complex progression barriers, agency politics, and team leadership challenges alone. Partner with ex-government leaders and NV1-cleared experts who know the bureaucracy from the inside out.

Book Your Free 15-Minute Strategy Call

Discuss your management goals with our executive coaching team in a confidential consultation. We will help identify your target level, capability gaps, and key leadership priorities.

100% Confidential & Independent
NV1-Cleared Executive Mentors
Strictly Aligned to WLS, ILS & State Frameworks

Enquire About Management Coaching

Complete the form below to receive immediate information on our leadership programs.

Ready to Secure Your Public Service Career?

Don't leave your public sector interview success to chance. Work with Australia's most experienced government coaching team.

Not sure which option is right for you? Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your specific needs and target role.

Not sure if your answers will score highly?