The NSW Liberal Party has finally settled on a new state director: John Howard's former principal private secretary, Tony Nutt.

Mr Nutt, who – as Victoria's Liberal Party director – oversaw former Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu's election victory, will be endorsed by the NSW state executive this week – almost six months after Mark Neeham left to join lobbying firm Crosby Textor.

The party tried but failed to lure Channel Nine executive Scott Briggs into the role following Mr Neeham's departure last November.

Mr Nutt, who became Mr Baillieu's chief of staff, was later cleared by Victoria's anti-corruption commission over his support for a ministerial adviser forced out of his job for undermining former police commissioner Simon Overland.

He has most recently been assisting Prime Minister Tony Abbott by overseeing the Coalition's "transition to government" including the vetting of key staff.