Director People

Why work at TEQSA?

TEQSA welcomes people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. TEQSA encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, people with disabilities, people that identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We offer our people a range of benefits that include flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities and free access to an EAP which extends to immediate family members.

About you

• Are you a strategic, experienced HR leader, able to provide high-quality, trusted advice?
• Do you want to work in a challenging, dynamic, and rewarding environment that is mission-focused?
• Are you passionate about contributing to the excellence of Australian higher education?

About the position

The Director People & Capability works with the executive team to facilitate a positive, inclusive and performance-based work culture, that aligns with TEQSA's strategy and values.

The Director People & Capability is responsible for both strategic and operational human resource (HR) management and works as a strategic business partner with TEQSA's executive team and leadership group.

Duties

As Director People & Capability, you will be responsible and accountable for:

• Developing strategic policy that aligns people management with TEQSA's strategic goals, including guiding capability uplift across TEQSA, ensuring adequate resourcing to achieve objectives, and shaping workforce planning.
• Developing and maintaining workforce development and resourcing plans.
• Providing strategic and operational advice on a range of HR management issues.
• Overseeing the Work Health and Safety (WHS) function and promoting a strong safety culture.
• Managing the industrial relations portfolio including the Enterprise Agreement and payroll functions.
• Preparing a range of reports, briefs and correspondence, including coordination of all HR reporting.
• Ensuring the agency complies with all relevant legal and policy frameworks relating to employment and people management.
• Working in partnership with internal and external key stakeholders, in particular:
• Accountable Authority, Executive Leadership Team, Staff Consultative Committee
• Australian Public Service Commission
• Department of Education, Skills and Employment
• Ensuring continuous improvement of business processes is planned and delivered across all areas of functional responsibility.
• Leading the People and Capability Team to deliver strategic HR services.

Our ideal candidate

TEQSA is looking for a high-performing Director who is passionate about contributing to the excellence of the People & Capability function and the Australian higher education sector. Our ideal candidate will have:

1. Demonstrated ability to lead a high performing team delivering HR enabling functions, including a commitment, and ability to build staff capability, develop competence and promote well-being.
2. Understanding of best practice HR management and proven ability to apply resources to effectively and efficiently identify and manage risks proportionately and make clear, well‑reasoned and timely decisions in a fast-paced and changing environment.
3. High-level HR skills with a detailed understanding of employment and industrial relations frameworks and demonstrated experience in driving organisational development and cultural change programs in a complex environment.
4. Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for improvement and well-developed project management capability.
5. Demonstrated ability to facilitate effective management of change in a dynamic environment as well as supporting managers across the business to manage change.
6. Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders and build enduring partnerships.
7. Demonstrated experience in providing high-quality advice and written reports to senior management.
8. Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, modelling the APS Values and APS Employment Principles and promoting compliance with the APS Code of Conduct.

Qualifications and experience

The following qualifications or experience will be highly regarded:

• Extensive experience in Human Resources within a complex people management environment, preferably within the Australian Public Service.
• Qualification in Human Resources Management or another relevant discipline is highly desirable.

Eligibility

The successful applicant must:

• be an Australian citizen.
• complete a National Police Check satisfactorily.
• be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) clearance to Baseline status, supported by TEQSA.

Failure to satisfy any of the above conditions may result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment or termination of employment.

How to apply

Please refer to TEQSA's career page for more details about the role in the Candidate Information Pack (CIP) to assist you in applying for the role.

Your application should include:

1. A current resume (maximum two pages)
2. A two-page cover letter (pitch) (maximum 1000 words) detailing how your skills and experience address the 'our ideal candidate' section (i.e., what makes you the best candidate for the position).

Applications close 11.45pm on Sunday, 16 November 2025.

Apply today We look forward to receiving your application.