Transport for NSW assisted one of Premier Gladys Berejiklian's most senior staffers find a recruiter to head hunt him for the lucrative job he had already lined up with the department, emails show.

Ms Berejiklian's former head of strategy Brad Burden was given a six-month contract valued at more than $250,000 in July, a job which was not advertised even though it did not exist before his appointment.

Gladys Berejiklian with Transport for NSW secretary Rodd Staples (right) and Transport Minister Andrew Constance Credit:James Brickwood

The Herald last week revealed Transport for NSW secretary Rodd Staples wrote in a text message to deputy secretary Peter Regan and general manager Matthew Vane-Tempest suggesting they meet Mr Burden "to see if there is anything Brad has to offer [the department]".

"There is no pressure from me to engage Brad, but I thought after hearing his broader background and aspirations, there may be something there," he wrote on June 11.